Question
I good client wants me to do build a couple of custom closets in his new house. I expressed to him I'm not really best suited for the job and haven't done closets before (we do commercial work, and some residential cabinetry). Can anyone point me in the right direction to learn about some common hardware and methods as far as hanging and assembly goes? I'm looking for a good method of putting verticals on the wall every 30" without making boxes, leaving a single 3/4 partition between spaces instead of two 3/4 sides against each other like our cabinets. We don't have any edge boring equipment but do use eCabinets with our Thermwood.
Forum Responses
(Cabinet and Millwork Installation Forum)
From contributor E:
We don't do closets either, but we do some panel processing for a couple of local closet guys on our CNC machine. Closets aren't like cabinets since they're just a collection of panels that get assembled on the job. The guys we cut for use some type of cam-lock fastener like Titus or the Rafix system from Hafele. They consist of a pin that uses shelf holes and a cam-locking device that is pressed into a machined pocket. It's good that you have a CNC machine, because the location of the machining for the fittings is critical.
End panels can be drilled half-depth for shelves; drill shared partitions all the way through. You can use a "fixed shelf", utilizing the cam-lock fittings, to knit your 30" sections together. It can be a top and a bottom panel, for example. A hanging rail system is a pretty typical method for installing, since most closet systems don't sit on the floor. Once you get the machining steps down it's pretty easy.
One thing to consider, a good supplier with the right equipment can process closet components and deliver them for less than we can buy the goods and provide the labor to do the drilling and edgebanding. You may find this to be true for you, especially on a first time order.
