Cabinetmaker Career Guide and Counseling

Question: Custom cabinetmaker made a mistake and forgot to order full backsplash, now wants to do tile backsplash? He says that he will let me pick the tile and he will install, but I just think I may have too much tile. I have installed tile from the entrance off the garage all the way through the kitchen into the foyer and on the front entryway porch (over 300 feet of gray italian tile). I think he is pushing the tile because he goofed. I am thinking that the full backsplash will look better and clean up easier. I think he made a $1000 or more mistake on the estimate. I don't think he charged nearly enough

Answer: It would be nice to know what kind of top you have. For most countertop material, the backsplash can be added in the field just as easy as it could in the shop, so ordering the splash and putting it on should not be a problem. Most of the time I would insist that it is done in the field because you can get a nicer fit to the wall. Stones, solid surface, concrete, wood and self-edging laminate all fall into this category. Metals would be a problem for field application as would post-form laminate tops. Post-form laminate tops have the laminate applied in one piece, it usually has a "rolled" edge on the front and back of the backsplash. Self-edging has square or flat beveled edges. Point being, I can't imagine that your cabinet maker is saving a significant amount of money by pushing you toward tile. Even replacing a post-form laminate top would not be much more expensive than a tile splash, especially if he is letting you pick the tile. I would clarify with him what the issue is. It may be that it will take some time to get what you really want? Perhaps this is a cash flow issue for him, maybe it would help if you made a partial payment on a balance due. I would certainly not pay in full, but if everything else is done, paying part should not cause a problem. This would be a good time to put in writing what is expected for completion of the job, including when the issue will be resolved. These things happen, no one is perfect. Try to have a bit of patience and understanding. That is not to say you should accept anything less than what you want, but if it is time be willing to wait for it. Indeed, you should not settle for less than what you want as you will be living with it for some time to come.

Question: If I am a cabinetmaker and I have job applicants , can I deny someone a job because he has a back injury? This person cannot lift very much and has trouble standing for long periods of time.

Answer: Absolutely. When you are getting applications, it is up to you to decide who to hire, or not hire. You don't need to give any reasons. At the end of the process, you can just state that the successful applicant best filled your criteria. Never give reasons for not hiring someone. It isn't necessary, and it can cause trouble.

Question: Becoming a cabinetmaker? Carpentry schools? I am looking for a college that has a degree or certificate in cabinet making. Does anybody know the best school to attend and gain all the knowledge necessary to come home and start building cabinets and start a business? I don't want a school that just gives you a little course in cabinetry, I want the full on instruction from A to Z. Thanks.

Answer: usually look for something called a community college, trade school, or vocational school

Question: How to become a carpenter; wood turner or glasblower? I am searching for information on how to become a wood turner, carpenter/cabinetmaker or glassblower (industry/research). Are there schools / trainings centers? Are there a national associations that I could contact? Thanks for any serious replies!

Answer: seattle is well known for it's glassblowers. you might start with schools and universities there. i'm sure that you would be able to also find courses in woodworking and carpentry since they are so less specific a trade. focus on what is the most obscure in terms of training. that would undoubtedly be glassblowing. i have a friend who no lives in that area who makes a living with glass.

Question: How do I keep tabs on a home to see if it goes up for sale? My grandfather built a house with water from a creek and he was a cabinetmaker so it has beautiful woodwork. When my grandfather died, my uncles sold it. With the Internet I'm wondering if there is a tool to generate a message if it comes on the market?

Answer: Best bet is to either contact the owners or find a friend that has access to the MLS.

Question: Does anyone know of construction plans/instructions for the Pilates Reformer? My husband is a cabinetmaker; and he wants to construct a Pilates Reformer for me. I'm not well and can't leave the house to exercise. Any information would be most appreciated.

Answer: I think you would be much better off buying one. Pilates Reformers are finely tuned pieces of equipment ... it would be like trying to build a street racing bicycle. Even cheap reformers can be very dangerous to use, it's worth it to invest in a top quality piece of equipment AND hire a trained Pilates instructor to work with you on it. Since Pilates has gotten so popular, the rate of Pilates injuries has gone way up ... it is very important to do the exercises correctly ... especially if you have health problems. Be careful!

Question: What did Mr. Cabinetmaker say to Mrs. Cabinetmaker? This riddle is from the algebra book b punchline.

Answer: "Hey, you want to make some cabinets?" Seriously....this is in an algebra book?

Question: Should I put in an Ikea kitchen? Ikea kitchens are inexpensive and pretty. But I'm worried about the cabinets falling apart quickly. One site I read said to use Ikea cabinet frames but buy hardware and doors from a local cabinetmaker. Anybody living with an Ikea or Ikea-hybrid kitchen? How do you like it?

Answer: I would suggest maybe not going with the venner choices that Ikea has to offer because of the possibilty of water getting on them since it's a kitchen. Ikea does offer a few choices with real oak. They also carry a heavy plastic that would probably hold up better than the veener. Also, did you consider going to lowes???

Question: help with HW: cabinetmaker? what did mr. cabinetmaker say to mrs. cabinetmaker ~whoever gets it right ill get them points

Answer: good morning mrs. cabinetmaker.

Question: What jobs can you get in the timber industry? eg: Carpenter, Cabinetmaker etc and any info on that job that you know

Answer: yeah massive industry, from the examples you gave I would suggest an apprenticeship in joinery, alot of local authorities offer them. Then you could branch out into carpentry and furniture making, wood turning is also preety cool.

Question: Is Aristokraft the worse cabinet you can buy? As a cabinetmaker and a until recently installer for Aristokrap,I just wondered if these flimsy, built to last a year cardboard boxes are the worst on the market?

Answer: It's hard to believe they're worse than Mill's Pride from HD and Lowes. I'm not sure how any self-respecting person could put that stuff in their homes.

Question: Can HGH help with back pain? I had a discectomy with a fusion several years ago and the pain is still severe.? I have a fusion of the L4-5-S1. Rods and cages. They took bone from my hip for packing. I am a cabinetmaker and the job is physical. I am 37 years old. I listen to all these athletes using this stuff for rehab. I am to a point of trying anything.

Answer: Physical Therapy is the best option for you.here is a book you Can get some great exercises from.http://www.amazon.com/treat-your-back-ro... i suffered from lower back pain for 10 yrs and opted for surgery.if you see your doctor he will just get you into PT .unless you have numbness they wont do an MRI.and since your not close to considering surgery an MRI would be a waste.

Question: What is the standard work week in Brisbane Australia? 38 or 40hrs? We have been working 38hrs then it becomes overtime, now the boss says he is changing the work week to 40hrs before overtime. He says he has done his research and is legally within his rights to make this change, can he? We are cabinetmakers

Answer: 40

Question: How much do Cabinetmakers / Joiners make per hour/week in London / UK?

Answer: Minimum wage thanks to the polish

Question: Are there any shops in the Tampa area that are looking for exp. cabinetmakers? 15 years exp. in all phases of cabinetry work : mill-man , assembly , lamination , hardware . I have class-d drivers license ,exp. with solid surface tops . seeking $ 13.50 /hour and up !!!!

Answer: Sorry. I tried to find some information for you, but I came up empty handed. :^(

Question: How do I find an Angle in Excel? I'm a Cabinetmaker, not a math whiz, so I need some help. I need to know how to figure out the angles of a right triangle. Let say A is 6" tall, B is 12" long, that leaves C as 13.4164. But how do I find the angles? In simple terms please... Thank you

Answer: The angle opposite A is =degrees(atan(6/12)) The angle opposite B is =degrees(atan(12/6))