How To Repair a Built-In Cabinet With Hand Tools

Built-in cabinets are a charming feature in many older homes. However, these fixtures can show signs of wear and tear over time, such as chips, sticking drawers, and other damage. Fortunately, you can restore your cabinets pretty easily the right tools and techniques. In the video above, Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how.

Tools and Materials Needed to Repair a Built-In

To patch the chips on the dining room drawers, Silva used some scrap pine and a variety of hand tools to carve its profile. These hand tools included a few rasps, a Japanese pull saw, a utility knife, and a hand plane. You’ll find some of these tools at home centers, but it’s easier to locate them all at specialty woodworking shops. You may be able to rent some tools.

Here’s what you’ll need for the project:

• Bar soap for lubricating drawer slides
• Block plane
• Clamps
• Combination square
• Paint or desired finish
• Pencil
• Pull saw
• Rasp
• Sanding block
• Scrap wood for patches
• Shoulder plane
• Straightedge
• Utility knife
• Wood glue

Silva used Gorilla Wood Glue to secure the patches in the drawers.

Repairing Chipped Cabinet Drawer Fronts

Chipped drawer fronts can detract from the appearance of your built-in cabinet. Here’s how Silva creates a seamless repair that blends with the existing drawer front:

1. Straighten the chip: Use a block plane to even out the chipped area on the drawer face.
2. Prepare the patch: Hold a piece of scrap wood against the chip and mark its dimensions with a pencil. To get the depth, slide the board until the pencil mark hits the end of the chipped section and mark the height there as well.
3. Cut the patch: Use a straightedge to draw a line from the pencil marks to the corner of the board. Then, use a pull saw to cut the patch along the marked lines.
4. Adjust thickness: Mark and cut the patch to the appropriate thickness using a utility knife. Silva recommends scoring the wood first.
5. Apply glue: Use wood glue to attach the patch to the drawer face.
6. Clamp and dry: Secure the patch with clamps and give it time to dry completely.
7. Shape the patch: Once dry, use a combination of a block plane, rasp, and sanding block to match the drawer’s profile.

Fixing Sticking Built-in Cabinet Drawers

Sticking drawers can be frustrating to use. Here’s how to address this issue:

1. Remove the drawer: Take the drawer out of the cabinet for easier access. Flip the drawer over and lay it on a flat surface.
2. Plane the bottom: Use a block plane to remove a small amount of material from the bottom edges of the drawer.
3. Lubricate: Apply bar soap to the bottom edges to reduce friction.
4. Test and adjust: Reinsert the drawer and test its movement. Repeat the process if necessary.

Matching Cabinet Profiles and Edges

To help your repairs blend seamlessly with the existing cabinet, you’ll need to match the profiles and edges of your patches. This is Silva’s process:

1. Draw reference lines: Mark where the profile needs to match on your patch.
2. Use appropriate tools: Employ a combination of hand planes, rasps, and sanding blocks to shape the patch.
3. Work gradually: Remove material slowly, frequently checking your progress against the existing profile.
4. Fine-tune: Use fine-grit sandpaper (Silva uses 220-grit) for the final touches. Sand in the direction of the wood grain for a smooth finish.

For long, straight edges, Silva recommends using a shoulder plane (also known as a rabbeting plane) guided by a straightedge to guarantee a perfectly straight cut.

Priming and Painting a Built-In Cabinet

Wait for any glue to dry completely before painting. Wipe all sanding dust from the surface and apply primer. Allow the primer to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then paint the patch the same color as the rest of the built-in cabinet.

We recommend feathering the edges of the newly painted area to help it blend with the old paint.

Maintaining Your Built-In Cabinets

Regular maintenance is key to keeping your built-in cabinets looking and functioning at their best. Follow these best practices:

• Address issues quickly: Fix small problems before they become larger ones.
• Avoid overloading: Don’t put excessive weight in drawers or on shelves.
• Check for moisture: Keep the area around your cabinets dry to prevent warping or rot.
• Clean regularly: Dust and wipe down surfaces to prevent buildup.
• Lubricate periodically: Reapply soap to drawer slides every few years. Silva recommends redoing this every two years to keep your drawers from sticking.

If your cabinets require significant repairs, we recommend hiring a professional. They can provide specialized care and expert advice on maintaining your built-in cabinetry.