New coffee bar with barn door slider. Project used kreg jig pocket holes and a mini-barndoor slider purchased off of Amazon. Wood is a mix of solid and plywood poplar.
This was my first furniture project so it look a bit longer to complete than I hoped. I used some basic kreg jig cabinet building guides as my base knowledge to build the box.
Here are the three sites that I used for getting some base knowledge of cabinet making.
- https://makingprettyspaces.com/2020/12/22/how-to-build-basic-cabinet-boxes-with-kreg/
- https://sawdustgirl.com/how-to-build-a-cabinet-with-pocket-hole-screws-2/
- http://synthmind.com/basic_cabinetmaking_booklet.pdf
From there it was just using the right tools. Tools I used to build the coffee bar:
- Kreg Jig K4
- I’ve had this jig for years.
- It’s extremely easy to use and produces the same holes every time.
- Very reliable.
- Makita XSS02Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 6-1/2″ Circular Saw
- This is my go to circular saw.
- It’s very lightweight with a lot of cutting power.
- I prefer the control button of this saw, it just is a natural fit for my thumb. This is not the brushless model, the brushless has a different safety button that I prefer less over the brushed model.
- Makita XFD10Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Driver-Drill
- It’s a reliable drill with two speeds
- Can deliver up to 480lbs of torque
- Milwaukee M12 1/4″ Hex Screwdriver 2401
- This is my surprise go to must have tool in my bag. I use it all and I mean all of the time.
- I use this to drive kreg screws in all of my projects. I find that it sets the screws better without over driving them. It is just extremely easy to control and it is lighter than a drill.
- Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Compact Fixed Base Router
- Used the router to make the top edge more decorative
- Ryobi does have some good 18v tools and they always are at a good price. It’s a reliable router and to be honest, the quality of a router is more in the bits. Want a good edge, use a good bit. Some people may disagree with that, but 25,000 rpms on a Ryobi is the same 25,000 rpms on a Milwaukee. Most people looking to go cheap also use a cheap bit. It’s not the tool that cuts, it’s the bit.
- Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+ 7-1/4 in. Cordless Miter Saw
- Had this miter saw for many years and used it primarily for trim work as I did on this project
- Overall it is a good saw and I do like the laser.
- Drawback is the changing of miter angles. It doesn’t have a handle and it’s just a little awkward to shift angles quickly. Like the indents at 0,45 and 22.5 are not deep enough to quickly lock in, so you overshoot it and have to come back.
- I’ve since replaced this saw with a Makita XSL02Z 18V X2 LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 7-1/2″ Dual Slide Compound Miter Saw.
- I only used this tool to cut the miters on the table top.
- Basic tools
- Tape measure
- Framing square
- Clamps
- Wood glue
Notes…
I see people all the time only using impact drills to drive in Kreg screws. That is a really bad tool choice and the wrong choice. I’ll write an article as to why shortly. Instead of an impact, use the Milwaukee M12 screw driver or a basic drill. Set the torque setting to anywhere from 11-14 depending on the material. You’ll develop a feel for the right setting after a while.