How to attach cabinet back panel?
Summary
Attaching cabinet back panels involves considering factors such as the material of the back panel and the desired level of support. Some forum users prefer using rear brackets, while others recommend cleats or full side supports for added stability. The method you choose might depend on the specific requirements of your project and personal preferences.
Some of what our forum users are saying include:
- "We use 1/2" backs on our cabinets...Except for the Blum HD under mounts or where a side aligns, they get the Blum rear bracket." -- tjbnwi, Contractortalk.com
- "In the following below video slide rear brackets are used to attach slides to the cabinet back panel. Would you recommend adding a cleat to the bottom of those rear brackets for additional support. Since the back panel is usually made up of thin material." -- tonyc56, Contractortalk.com
- "The video doesn’t show it but the brackets have 2 ~1/4” tabs that fit into the cabinet backs so the screws aren’t really needed to support the load of the drawers." -- Big Johnson, Contractortalk.com
- "I've personally quit using back brackets because I don't like the flex that comes with using them" -- tonyc56, Contractortalk.com
Post Mentions
- In the following below video slide rear brackets are used to attach slides to the cabinet back panel. Would you recommend adding a cleat to the bottom of those rear brackets for additional support. Since the back panel is usually made up of thin material.
- This is the kind I like. The video doesn’t show it but the brackets have 2 ~1/4” tabs that fit into the cabinet backs so the screws aren’t really needed to support the load of the drawers. Like these. https://www.build.com/blum-295-6410/s152923?uid=1706326&displaypla=1
- We use 1/2" backs on our cabinets. Except for the Blum HD under mounts or where a side aligns, they get the Blum rear bracket. Blum does not make a rear bracket for the HD’s. Never noticed any flex using the rear brackets. Tom
- These are the rear brackets we use. All the cabinet backs are 1/2" plywood. Sorry they’re upside down. Can’t figure out how to flip them on an iPad. Exported resized still didn’t work. Tom
- Here's how I mount undermounts. When the side panel isn't flush with the face frame, I use a stand off equal to the amount the face frame overhangs the sidewall. Notice the little mdf pieces tacked under the slides? They hold the back of the slide up while I use the 5 mm vix bit to drill holes...
- Looks like you're holding the glide back about a 1/4". Is there a reason for that? We hold ours back 1/8".
- I temp setup a slide & front bracket & used a piece of my drawer stock to gauge my slide hold back. I was slightly inside of flush.
- Side mount bearing slides, KV. In the past it was cheap imports. I don't even use the rear brackets on blum tandems anymore. Just feel I get a better build with the system I described above.
- the snap in brackets to come apart but the ones with a small nut and pan head bolt never come apart
Related Threads
- In the following below video slide rear brackets are used to attach slides to the cabinet back panel. Would you recommend adding a cleat to the bottom of those rear brackets for additional support. Since the back panel is usually made up of thin material.