Cabinet Making Tools: 15 Essential Additions to Your Kit

As a cabinetmaker, you know that having the right tools is crucial to your success. By using the proper tools, you can create beautiful projects with precise joinery. Investing in quality tools will pay off in the long run and provide you with many benefits.

Though many complicated tools for cabinet making exist, they often require a lot of experience to master. They may take longer to learn how to use effectively, but they can make the work process much faster and more accurate once you have learned how to use them to their potential. 

There are smaller and simpler cabinet making tools that don't require as much of an initial investment, but still get the job done just as well. 

Here is a list of 15 essential cabinet making tools you will need to create your own cabinets:

1. Centering Punch

A centering punch is a type of tool used to create a small indent in wood or metal. The indent is then used as a starting point for drilling a pilot hole. Centering punches are commonly used in cabinet making, as they allow for more precise drilling and they help to avoid the risk of the drill bit slipping. When using a centering punch, it is important to start with a smaller indent, and then gradually increase the size of the indent. This will help prevent the wood from splitting or the metal from becoming damaged.

2. 90 Degree Corner Clamp Jig

A 90 Degree Corner Clamp Jig is one of the many tools used in cabinet making to help create 90 degree corners when joining pieces of wood together. The jig consists of two parts: a base and a clamp. The base is placed on the edge of the wood, and the clamp is attached to the base at a 90 degree angle.

The wood is then placed between the two parts of the jig, and the clamp is tightened down to hold the wood in place. Once the wood is secure, it can be joined together using screws, nails, or adhesive. The 90 degree corner clamp jig is an essential tool for anyone interested in cabinet making, and with a little practice, it can produce professional-looking results.

3. Convertible Powered Screwdriver with LED Light

The 510-Q Convertible Powered Screwdriver with LED Flashlight comes in handy for reaching difficult areas. You can use it with a straight grip or pistol grip by clicking a button and rotating the head of the tool. There's an LED under the head of the tool that turns on when you pull the trigger. Also, there's an LED flashlight on the backside of the drill. It comes complete with one powered screwdriver/flashlight, USB charging cable, and batteries are included!

4. ANGLE-IZER® Plastic Protractor

The ANGLE-IZER® Plastic Protractor is not only capable of measuring and marking inside, outside, and sloped angles, but it is also perfect for construction jobs where a standard protractor or t-bevel wouldn't work.

5. Face Frame Jig System X1

The patented Face Frame Jig System X1 is an easy way to put together professional-looking face frames and cabinet doors. In one setup, all your frame and door components will be aligned, securely clamped, bored for pocket holes, and screwed together! This time-saving jig system eliminates the need for separate drilling or assembly operations.

6. 4 In. Max Circle Cutter

Sometimes, you may need to cut a hole in the side of your cabinet for plumbing or electrical access. When that's the case, you reach for a circle cutter. The 4 In. Max Circle Cutter can create precise circles in materials like sheet metal, soft steel, aluminum, plastic and wood composites, all at less than 500 rpm on your drill press. There is also a model available that will cut holes up to 6 inches wide.

7. 1/2 Inch Countersink Bit

The smooth, finished look of any cabinetry depends on the details, including buried screw heads. You must countersink screws and then fill & sand before painting or staining to avoid unsightly exposed fasteners. The 1/2 In. Countersink Bit (#195 - 1/2) is designed specifically for creating clean countersunk holes in wood and other materials. It's also available in 5/8" and 3/4" diameter sizes to accommodate different projects.

8. Adjustable Pocket Hole Jig Kit

Is a pocket hole jig worth it? The Adjustable Pocket Hole Jig Kit is the perfect tool for anyone planning to construct cabinets, bookshelves, tables, or anything with multiple joints. This versatile jig can be used to create supports for cabinets, furniture, and more. The pocket holes created by the jig are professional grade and don't require putty or sanding to hide them. Additionally, the kit is easily adjustable for wood thicknesses up to 1-½”—making it an ideal choice for those who want high-quality results without a lot of hassle. 3/8" replacement bits are also available if needed.

9. Drill Bit Grinding Attachment

Nothing will destroy the smooth face of finished plywood faster than a dull drill bit, but you don't have to experience that problem. The Drill Bit Grinding Attachment can hone drill bits to their original sharpness, which extends their life and improves drilling accuracy.

10. Pro Doweling Kit

Have you ever tried to pilot a hole for a dowel, only to find it's a little too big or too small? Maybe you discovered, after the hole was drilled, that it wasn't at a 90 degree angle to the face of the cabinet? 

By assuring the alignment of dowel holes and pins, the Pro Doweling Kit helps create professional-quality edge-to-edge, right-angle and edge-to-surface joints that can be press-fit or glued. The E-Z Pro Doweling Jig Kit comes with drill bits, dowel pins and more.

11. E-Z Pro Dovetailer Jig

The best cabinet drawers are made with dovetail joints. In days gone by, they would be cut by hand and take many hours. The E-Z Pro Dovetailer Jig can create professional-quality dovetail joints by working with a hand or table router. It has a self-aligning design that ensures perfect alignment of both ends of the joint, and it can handle wood from 1/2" to 1" thick.

12. E-Z Pro Aluminum Mortise & Tenon Jig Kit

The E-Z Pro Aluminum Mortise & Tenon Jig Kit is the perfect tool for cutting mortise and tenon joints, which are a popular type of joinery used for cabinet faces. This easy-to-use machine will produce 1/4" mortise and tenon joints quickly and accurately for cabinets, furniture, and frames - joints that would be difficult to cut by hand without this kit.

Our woodworking jig comes with bushings for also producing 3/8" and 1/2" joints with other size optional spiral upcut bits. (not included). By using a plunge router with the jig, woodworkers of all skill levels can cut fully-aligned mortises and tenons ranging from 1/4" to ½” thick and from 1” to 3” wide. The jig can be mounted directly on a workbench or onto a board that can be clamped in a vise or to any bench.

13. E-Z Pro Crown King Molding Jig

Crown molding can be complicated to cut, and unless it's perfect, the finished product will not impress. The E-Z Pro Crown King Molding Jig can produce perfectly mitered interior and exterior crown molding joints:

• Eliminates angle calculations, compound-angle and back cutting
• No joint coping required
• Auxiliary fences, and confusing upside-down miter box positioning will become a thing of the past
• Supports three different spring angles

14. 290ST 2 Piece Self Centering Hinge Bit Set

The 290ST 2 Piece Self Centering Hinge Bit Set has two heavy duty self-centering drill bits, 7/64” and 9/64”. They create perfect pilot holes in cabinet and door hinges. The spring loaded, outer guide keeps the high speed drill centered. The bits are compatible with screw sizes 5 and 6, and 8 and 10, respectively.

15. 36/37 Precision Drill Guide For 3/8-Inch or 1/2-Inch Power Drills

If you are just getting started in cabinet making, you may not own a drill press yet, but you can still make exact holes with this drill guide. The 36/37 Precision Drill Guide multi-purpose drill accessory is ideal for angled drilling, doweling, plug cutting and edge sanding:

• It attaches to any ⅜”. or ½” power drill.
• It is adjustable in 5-degree increments from 0 to 45 degrees, left and right.
• V-guides on the base permit drilling through the dowel or other rounded stock.
• A slide lock facilitates sanding and buffing applications.
• This drill guide and chuck is portable and lightweight, and also folds flat for toolbox storage.

General Tool is the Place to Shop for Quality Hand and Digital Tools

Looking to upgrade your shop tools, or perhaps you want to experiment with the latest line of digital meters? Look no further than General Tool. With nearly a century of experience, we offer a wide range of products that meet your needs. Our 100% satisfaction guarantee backs our products, so you can be sure you're getting the best quality available. 

Contact us today for more information!