Question
I have noticed lately that a number of the higher end cabinet producers are attaching the face frames to the finished side panels with a lock miter joint. Does anyone here use this process? It gives an excellent finished look. I assume you would run the panel on the table and face frame against the fence. If that's the case, the face frame would have to get run before assembly, especially if using a power feed. Any thoughts or tips on this?
Forum Responses
(Cabinetmaking Forum)
From contributor R:
I just finished building a face frame vanity where the face frame is mitered into the finished end panel. I didn't bother to use a lock miter, just a typical miter. Setting up a lock miter for a joint that is supported well seems like overkill to me. I use a lock miter quite often, but this seems a bit much for the application. But if you decide to do it, I prefer to use thinned glue since a good joint leaves no real room for squeeze out.
I have not seen this done like you explain, so here is what I could possibly see happening. Easing the edges after assembly could possibly expose plywood which would have to be dealt with. If pre-assembling face frames, they would have to be dead on and my usual method involves a slight overhang which I later flush trim or sand. And last, I don't believe you could staple it from inside (which I don't do anyway) or use pocket screws with there not being enough material so you'd have to either face nail or use clamps. Other than that, it does sound interesting and I may try it out just to see the look it will give. The next assembly I'm going to try is a rabbeted face frame and panel.
