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Cutting the toe kick off cabinets - Guest - 04-09-2018
I am redoing a rental property that was devastated by a hurricane. Everything but the flooring has to be replaced. The flooring is 3 layers of subfloor and 3 layers of flooring with the top layer being tile. It survived. I am going back with the same kitchen configuration. There is an inch deep hole I am going to set the cabinets in. I am going with off the shelf MDF cabinets from Lowe's. Can I cut the manufacturers toe kick off the cabinets and build a base to set the cabinets on? If I build the base then I can easily level it vs trying to level the cabinets in a hole. Also If I build a base then MDF is not touching the floor. My concern is making sure the structural integrity of the cabinets will hold the granite counters without collapsing.
RE: Cutting the toe kick off cabinets - crokett™ - 04-09-2018
My dad cut the toe kick off some old kitchen cabinets I gave him. He has had them in his shop for 15 years, so I'd say yes you can. As long as you aren't cutting the floor out of the cabinets I don't think you are compromising the strength.
RE: Cutting the toe kick off cabinets - Splinter Puller - 04-09-2018
(04-09-2018, 11:25 AM)Clyde6n1 Wrote: I am redoing a rental property that was devastated by a hurricane. Everything but the flooring has to be replaced. The flooring is 3 layers of subfloor and 3 layers of flooring with the top layer being tile. It survived. I am going back with the same kitchen configuration. There is an inch deep hole I am going to set the cabinets in. I am going with off the shelf MDF cabinets from Lowe's. Can I cut the manufacturers toe kick off the cabinets and build a base to set the cabinets on? If I build the base then I can easily level it vs trying to level the cabinets in a hole. Also If I build a base then MDF is not touching the floor. My concern is making sure the structural integrity of the cabinets will hold the granite counters without collapsing.
of course. I build most of my casework on a separate sub base as it maximizes the sheet good cuts. When you cut off the sides you might have to staple and glue a bit of plywood to the bottoms to reinforce the cheap fiber board or MDF sides. Usually there is enough slope in the dimensions to fit this in.
RE: Cutting the toe kick off cabinets - Foggy - 04-09-2018
When the 8 ft. pantry unit was installed in out kitchen the toe kick was cut off to get it in. Could not tip it up under 8 ft. ceiling. No problems.
RE: Cutting the toe kick off cabinets - Bob10 - 04-09-2018
(04-09-2018, 11:25 AM)Clyde6n1 Wrote: I am redoing a rental property that was devastated by a hurricane. Everything but the flooring has to be replaced. The flooring is 3 layers of subfloor and 3 layers of flooring with the top layer being tile. It survived. I am going back with the same kitchen configuration. There is an inch deep hole I am going to set the cabinets in. I am going with off the shelf MDF cabinets from Lowe's. Can I cut the manufacturers toe kick off the cabinets and build a base to set the cabinets on? If I build the base then I can easily level it vs trying to level the cabinets in a hole. Also If I build a base then MDF is not touching the floor. My concern is making sure the structural integrity of the cabinets will hold the granite counters without collapsing.
3 layers of subfloor? how are you getting that dry to prevent mildew and mold?
RE: Cutting the toe kick off cabinets - Cooler - 04-09-2018
(04-09-2018, 11:25 AM)Clyde6n1 Wrote: I am redoing a rental property that was devastated by a hurricane. Everything but the flooring has to be replaced. The flooring is 3 layers of subfloor and 3 layers of flooring with the top layer being tile. It survived. I am going back with the same kitchen configuration. There is an inch deep hole I am going to set the cabinets in. I am going with off the shelf MDF cabinets from Lowe's. Can I cut the manufacturers toe kick off the cabinets and build a base to set the cabinets on? If I build the base then I can easily level it vs trying to level the cabinets in a hole. Also If I build a base then MDF is not touching the floor. My concern is making sure the structural integrity of the cabinets will hold the granite counters without collapsing.
I've seen those from my local Lowes. The sides are vinyl covered particle board (not as strong as MDF ).
There is a lot of information available about the strength of particle board but mostly in shear and bending. I did not see anything the directly relates to the axial compressive forces (load along the length of a panel, as would be for granite over cabinets. Someone with engineering background might be able to come up with something from this data:
http://tradeessentials.thelaminexgroup.com.au/uploads/tech-info/TLG3093%20TE%20Particleboard%20Brochure%206-15.pdf
An alternative would be to use butcher block. You can get some very rich looking butcher block, and of course it will be a lot lighter in weight. Or, more typically Formica.
RE: Cutting the toe kick off cabinets - Roly - 04-09-2018
(04-09-2018, 11:25 AM)Clyde6n1 Wrote: I am redoing a rental property that was devastated by a hurricane. Everything but the flooring has to be replaced. The flooring is 3 layers of subfloor and 3 layers of flooring with the top layer being tile. It survived. I am going back with the same kitchen configuration. There is an inch deep hole I am going to set the cabinets in. I am going with off the shelf MDF cabinets from Lowe's. Can I cut the manufacturers toe kick off the cabinets and build a base to set the cabinets on? If I build the base then I can easily level it vs trying to level the cabinets in a hole. Also If I build a base then MDF is not touching the floor. My concern is making sure the structural integrity of the cabinets will hold the granite counters without collapsing.
Why don't you just fill in the 1" deep hole ? Roly
RE: Cutting the toe kick off cabinets - blackhat - 04-09-2018
I'd consider pouring self levelling floor patch in the space and set the cabinets on that after it hardens.
RE: Cutting the toe kick off cabinets - Stwood_ - 04-09-2018
(04-09-2018, 11:25 AM)Clyde6n1 Wrote: I am redoing a rental property that was devastated by a hurricane. Everything but the flooring has to be replaced. The flooring is 3 layers of subfloor and 3 layers of flooring with the top layer being tile. It survived. I am going back with the same kitchen configuration. There is an inch deep hole I am going to set the cabinets in. I am going with off the shelf MDF cabinets from Lowe's. Can I cut the manufacturers toe kick off the cabinets and build a base to set the cabinets on? If I build the base then I can easily level it vs trying to level the cabinets in a hole. Also If I build a base then MDF is not touching the floor. My concern is making sure the structural integrity of the cabinets will hold the granite counters without collapsing.
Sure. If that's what you want to do. Normal toekicks (mine) are 4" tall, and you have a 1" deep sinkhole in your kitchen
, so grab some 2x6's and rip them to 5", stand them up and nail you a framework together and sit and attach in your sinkhole.Sit the reworked cab boxes on, align, screw together, then put a few screws in the bottoms, down into the newly made framework.