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How to Make Mitered Cabinet Doors

This project uses a miter box and miter saw to form the 90-degree angle of the cabinet door moulding. It is a beginner’s project that will acquaint the woodworker with mitering. It is an inexpensive way to make your own decorative wood work.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Marking pencil
  • Backsaw
  • Miter box
  • Utility knife
  • Wood putty
  • Scrap wood for practice
  • Cabinet moulding
  • Cabinet door
  • Finishing nails
  • Hammer
  • Stain
  • Medium disposable foam brush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select the angle you need for your job. The 45 degree angle is appropriate for mitering cabinet doors. All miter boxes have this angle for both a left and a right angle cut.

    • 2

      Use pieces of scrap wood to make a test pattern. Cut off 1 inch from the pieces of wood you will join. This gives you a clean surface with no nicks or splinters.

    • 3

      Make a mark on the outer edge of the pieces to be cut. Put a piece of scrap wood under the wood pieces you want to cut to protect the miter box.

    • 4

      Insert the backsaw into the miter box. Support the wood and carefully saw through the wood to the mark. Both pieces will fit together in a perfect 90-degree angle.

    • 5

      Adjust the miter box if necessary and follow the same directions to work on the moulding pieces. Use a utility knife on the backside of the wood to smooth away any splinters.

    • 6

      Stain and dry the finished moulding. Attach the moulding to the cabinet door with finishing nails.