how can I trim 3/8" on cabinet face

[PoorOwner]

It's not a frameless cabinet, and I need to cut out 3/8" on each side to increase the width by 3/4" to fit a newer microwave. Doesn't have to be perfect because I have a trim, I am thinking oscillating tool along a piece of guide? I believe the cabinet is 3/4" plywood.

I only have 2" of face frame on each side, so don't have alot of space for the guide then fit a jigsaw or reciprocating saw.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Most 12 volt circular saws have a 1 inch ish offset on the short side of the shoe. I'd think that would make a nicer cut. Maybe a buddy has one to borrow?

Multi tool is going to be brutal on a long cut.

 

[cgrutt]

multi-tool or small router?

 

[Git]

I was thinking that a good tracksaw can make a plunge cut - but trying to do that on some already installed cabinets would be awkward at best

I think your oscillation tool idea would actually work pretty decently. I would probably use some blue painter's tape or something similar to mark off where the trim would cover up the face frame just in case

 

[850xpeps]

Use a jigsaw with a down cut blade. Clamp a straight edge if you want but if trim will cover then not a big issue.

 

[wrenchguy]

Use a jigsaw with a down cut blade. Clamp a straight edge if you want but if trim will cover then not a big issue.

yep. & put some tape on the shoe.

 

[AmericanMechanic]

A steel rule, a pencil, and a hand saw? Sometimes all the machinery makes things more complicated than they should be. Plus the hand saw is a lot more controllable so you won't accidentally tear up your cabinet. Make sure it's a good quality fine tooth rip blade.

 

[dumper]

drill with a small rotary rasp? Hey, you said you have a trim piece to cover up the cut.https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bosch-5...e-for-Rasping-and-Filing-Wood-RR681/205869637 These things work great.

 

[PoorOwner]

The cabinet is on the wall, I will try to plunge with the oscil. tool and see what fits.

about 18" high on each side, router won't fit at all..

 

[PassnThru]

Make a template out of a small block of wood - drill a hole in the correct spot. Now drill a bunch of holes in the cabinet sides using the block as a guide. Finish up with a hand saw or a jig saw or even a chisel. Point is - you've taken the majority of the wood out already. To finish - smooth it down with a random orbit sander.

 

[finn]

One of the smaller battery powered circular saws seems ideal. I wondered why someone would buy the small, light saws, and I think you answered the question with this project.

 

[The Cobbler]

can you remove the styles and cut them? might end up a nicer job in the end .worth looking at IMO .

 

[PoorOwner]

Can't remove it, as there is another cabinet above.

I do have a trim that will go over it so it doesn't need to be the best looking.

I am ok with the jigsaw approach, most of the time it wanders off and ruin my project. Is there a special deeper blade that is easy to run straight?

 

[The Cobbler]

get a good name brand blade for wood.the wider the blade the better . clamp a straight edge to follow . go easy & slow

 

[Parrothead]

I’ve done long straight cuts with an oscillating tool. It turned out well in a highly visible situation. Use a piece of L channel as a guide if you’d feel better.

 

[Rory Bellows]

I had to do something similar for a in wall stove. I used my Makita electric die grinder and put a router bit in it worked perfectly. You can even clamp a straight edge if your bit has a bearing.

 

[fourjeepin]

I did the same for a microwave using a multi tool, but mine doesn't have trim. I can tell where it was cut, but I don't think most would notice it.

 

[Toolfool]

Most of the kitchen cabinet packages I install come with a generic size faceframe on the wall oven cabinet, and occasionally for the microwave. I usually don't get the appliance specs until after the cabinets are installed. I mask off the faceframe with green painter's tape, mark out my cut lines, and cut out with my Skilsaw. Finish the corner cuts with the jigsaw.

 

[850xpeps]

how can I trim 3/8" on cabinet face

Don’t use a wood blade use a finer tooth metal blade for the jigsaw it will be easier to control the speed. And a down cut blade. Cleaner cut and help you see your line.

People are making this complicated. If your handy you can plunge a skill saw like mentioned above me and finish with jogsaw. If not confident with that then just plunge with the jigsaw and be done with it. I scribe counters with exposed edges with a jigsaw. Take your time and like you said you have trim to cover.

I hope the guy with the drill a bunch of holes technique was joking.

 

[Fialaja]

Another vote for the jigsaw

 

[PhysicsDude]

I just did something similar, and used a drywall router with a board guide clamped to the cabinet. You have to go pretty slow, but it left a clean edge and it fit in the tight space - my full size router would not fit well.

 

[BaMaDuDe87]

Jigsaw, use a tape line, and take your time

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Cooter Brown]

Is this a new install or replacing a MW? As a cabinetmaker I strongly discourage built in microwaves because of issues like you're having.

The service life of microwave ovens is shorter than the service life of most cabinet installs.

A clamped on straightedge and a router would do the cleanest job.

 

[danski0224]

Oscillating multi tool and one of the flat round blades (no offset at the attaching point) with or without a straight chord cut out. There is a Fein branded full round one that works really nice.

The round blade is easier to control and keep straight by hand compared to one of those straight plunge blades for longer cuts.

Jigsaw will be a PITA in comparison.

 

[PoorOwner]

Is this a new install or replacing a MW? As a cabinetmaker I strongly discourage built in microwaves because of issues like you're having.

The service life of microwave ovens is shorter than the service life of most cabinet installs.

A clamped on straightedge and a router would do the cleanest job.

My microwave is 21 years old it is only starting to have some issues.

I would call mine semi built in because it is just a counter microwave with a kit to raise it and trim to cover it. You probably know, the trims are usually fairly big to contain the vent louvers, so there are some variations on how large the cut can be.

 

[ddawg16]

I just make a new cabinet...................but that is me

 

[jimreed2160]

I would use a coping saw because coping saws are cheap and FAST. Drill a hole and put the blade through it and then reinstall the frame sideways. It will take a little handpower, but just think of it as a cordless saw. It will chew through plywood as fast as a powered saw with less chance of error.

 

[MikeF2316]

I would use a coping saw because coping saws are cheap and FAST. Drill a hole and put the blade through it and then reinstall the frame sideways. It will take a little handpower, but just think of it as a cordless saw. It will chew through plywood as fast as a powered saw with less chance of error.

I'll agree with this. All you need is a little patience, and you'll end up with a good job. Coping saws are easy to control, so if you wander off your line a tiny bit it's easy to get back on. Just make sure you let the saw do the work.

 

[kctyphoon]

Jigsaw, straight line, insert molding here.. if youre covering it with molding anyway, don't go crazy.