Final day on kitchen install. Doing punch list items, and wrapping it up.
The pantry cabinet linebore holes did not get drilled to full depth at the factory, so the clips would not go in. So we put a depth stop on a bit & redrill them ( these are 3/8” thick plywood sides). On the LAST hole the stop rides up the bit & the bit blows through the finished end of the pantry cabinet. It is about 6” below the crown & 2” in from the FF of the cabinet, & we are NOT talking a nice round hole here.
Short of removing the adjoining wall cabinets,crown,trim and reskinning the cabinet side, does anyone have the million dollar idea here? And the day started so well.
Replies
It sounds like this is reasonably above eye level. Depending on the finish, someone with putty and some stain pens can probably make a repair that won't be noticed unless you look for it. Check with the guy who does bathtub repairs, etc.
Next time use two stops.
happy?
I've seen cabinet doors added to ends of cabinets. Depends on the design, but it can real dress up the look. You can try by removing one of the cabinet doors and clamping or holding it in place. Might like it enough to add additional doors on the other ends. Most all cabinet makers or companies supply additional doors.
I would also check to see if end panels were installed. If these cabinets have them, its a finished panel that covers the side of a standard cabinet. Much cheaper to replace.
I always use a appropriate length of 3/4 by 3/4 pine for a stop, very safe and easy to make. Could you cover the hole with something like a fancy rack to hold pots or kitchen utensils. How about an expensive kitchen clock. Maybe a custom little shelf in a matching wood. Carpentry can be a pia sometimes.
That's what lacquer/shellac sticks are made for. You (well, maybe somebody else) burn them in.
Fill in your profile, particularly where you are, and you might get some help.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
A bit like the proverbial barn gate... but I NEVER use a depth stop.
My failproof solution is to use is a length of dowel predrilled lengthwise and cut to the proper length (remember to allow for the thickness of the template if you are using one - I use pegboard). Chuck your bit in the drill loosly, slip the dowel over the bit and fine tune the depth when you tighten the chuck.
The dowel is your depth stop... It's repeatable, and it can't slip.
As for the damage, what is the cabinet finish: Melamine or wood?
If it's wood I'd snag a piece of scrap scribe stock and cut a patch... rip it down to 1/16" or so thick, then carefully scribe a patch w/ a utility knife (use an irregular shape.... it will be MUCH less noticable than a round plug)... take a little time and it will never be noticed.
As others have mentioned, shellac sticks or the putty and stain sticks. And a little artistic talent!
Doug
I'm just wondering how he's hiding this in the meantime.
You piled what against the side of the cab to conceal the damage?
Eric
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Your kids artwork does wonders to cover these type of oops's.
You might try talking to the cabinet shop and see if they have someone skilled in fixing boo-boos. I would bet significant money that you aren't the first person to mess up - lol. It might cost a bit, but it's probably cheaper than replacement.
I did that once on a cabinet I was bulding and just made a plug to fit the hole. I glued it in place, sanded it flush then CAREFULLY redrilled the clip hole. I spent quite a bit of time getting the plug grain to match the cabinet, but after it was stained and finished, it was virtually invisible. I could find it but I knew where to look - lol
Some of my cabinets have some extra trim that gives them "a classier look". Most of it actually does, but some of it hides some mistakes - lol.
Edited 12/29/2005 7:19 pm by Dave45
With what sounds like a similar problem, in this case it was a gouge the cabinet guys missed until the last day. It was nearly eye level and quite obvious.
In this case A real craftsman of a carpenter noted that a trying to disguise a patch wouldn't work well or look right. He cited the old adage: 'If you can't cover it up celebrate it'.
He took a laminate trimmer and made a quick template out of plywood. The HO was consulted and a heart design was settled upon.
He routed out the heart shape and cut an exact copy out of a contrasting veneer. He glued it in place and carefully finished and polished it. The HO, a bit leery about what could have been an unsightly patch, loved it. His wife though it made the cabinets look even more 'custom'.
A happy ending for all. HO got a detail they loved. He cabinet guys got their chestnuts pulled out of the fire and were happy not to have to replace the cabinet. The hero of the story, the carpenter, always enjoyed these sorts of details but seldom got to use his talents. The GC was overjoyed that he got paid on time instead of having to negotiate, possibly bicker over, a satisfactory conclusion.
Lateral thinking! Perfect approach.
That even works for multiple boo-boos. Once drilled pair of holes in wrong side of EVERY cabinet door for the handles. Upper hole was 'fixed' by covering with a hinge flange, other hole 'fix' was to cut out veneers of the family initial and put on every door.
'Had a similar situation a few years ago. We just veneered over the damaged side while the cabinet was in place and refinished it. The 1/32" thickness of the veneer was barely noticeable where it came up and butted to the face frame stile. Still it takes some effort and care to make the repair and you have to be 10000% sure you can match the finish.
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Hmm, pantry side can often stand having some utensil hooks on the side about that position . . .
If there's an adjacent wall cabinet, a fancy plate on the pantry side and a discreet, door stop is good (having a "hit" plate where the upper cabinets knobs impinge upon taller, deeper, cabinets is a very good thing to install, in my book, at least).
Install a decorative hook/knob to hang an apron or somesuch from?
I've seen someone who had taken an old doorknob and mounted it on a small wood plaque and this was attached to the side of the cabinet and was what they hung aprons from. Fit the style of their kitchen.
jt8
"All men should strive to learn before they die What they are running from, and to, and why." -- James Thurber
Up that high, how 'bout wiring in a sconce or wall light ? Or mount a dinner bell ? Or a smoke detector ! A clock ?
Greg
Good place to hang a chaulk board or a white board for a shopping list.
I frequently repair such damage. I rarely run across one that can't be done so that it is acceptable to very discerning customers. It is not easy though... I've made an interesting, rewarding, and VERY challenging sideline out of such work. You've gotta love it to make the grade with stuff like this. A top furniture repair craftsman (or a fine cabinetry troubleshooter like Moi) can handle it. Things that cannot be fixed are damage that is too widespread and/or severe... like huge gouges across the grain. Smaller areas of damage (less than two square inches) are almost always repairable. Look for a local specialist. Contact local furniture shops, kitchen remodelers, cabinet dealers, kitchen designers, etc. There are more skilled touch up repair artists out there than most people know about and you need one now and may again on future jobs.