Hanging Cabinets by Yourself?

15 years ago

I asked DH about how he hangs cabs. by himself after reading about the yoga instructor hanging all her own cabs yesterday (You go, girl!!) and thought I'd post his tip b/c there are probably other DIYers attempting to do the same thing.

He said to draw the level line on the wall where the bottoms of the wall cabs will go. Then screw a board (say a 2x4) with its top edge along the line you just drew. The board gives you a ledge to set the bottom of the wall cabinet on. Lift and set the wall cab in place, using the 2x4 to help hold the weight of the cabinet. Screw the cabs. in. Remove the 2x4 and spackle the holes.

Hope this idea helps our fellow (or lady) DIYers out there. : )

Featured Answer

macybaby

15 years ago

marcolo - I want to see the rest of that cabinet - the back that's still on the wall. Looks like the top stayed with the back too.

The ones we removed had 1/4" hardboard backing, and if you didn't stick the screws into the mounting strips, the cabinet would have easily pealed away from that backing.

Mounting cabinets is one thing I'd rather have help with. It's a drag when you get the cabinet on the wall, then realize your drill is slightly out of reach. Cats aren't a lot of help either.

Also, figure out exactly where the studs are BEFORE you get the unit on the wall. I have an old house with a lot of patched in places, and my studs are anywhere from 14" to 17" on center. And often there's one in the middle so there isn't anything near 16" away from those middle ones. Pictures come in handy - those taken before the sheetrock goes up so you can see exactly where the wires/studs are (especially if your wires all come from the ceiling).

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Comments (9)

funfarm
15 years ago
Good tip - that board is called a "ledger" board, by the way. Another tool that helps is called a T-Jak. While the ledger board holds up the back edge of the cabinet, the T-Jak (or home-made equivalent) supports the front of the cabinet while you're making small adjustments and/or securing the cabinet to the wall.

Another good resource that might provide some good tips:
If you look at the EZ-level website, they have a series of videos that walk through cabinet installation, both uppers and base. These videos are also on YouTube. While EZ-Level is selling their cabinet leveling product, they do a good job of showing you how to install with or without use of their product.

Here's to all the DIY'ers, Dean
marcolo
15 years ago
Personally, I have a different approach to hanging kitchen cabinets.
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kngwd
15 years ago
marcolo you are a riot!!! I hope that's not your house!!!
funfarm
15 years ago
I'll bet I know where the back of that cabinet is... still securely attached to the wall (not necessarily the studs, mind you - just the sheetrock) with 16 drywall screws!!
That's what happens when you don't hang cabinets by the solid hanging rail at the top and then proceed to load it with 40 lbs. of stoneware.

DIY'ers take heed!
ideagirl2
15 years ago
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Well, that's one way to do it.
User
15 years ago
We do that too laughable, and if the upper cabinet is really heavy, nail a cleat at an angle on the wall adjacent to the cabinet so we can slide it up and into place. Much easier than lifting straight up and then hoping you hit the level cleat nailed to the wall - when we can't see it because our faces are against the cabinet.
ironcook
15 years ago
good grief, marcolo! was that your house?!!!

thanks for posting the tips, everyone! :)
Jason Dunn
5 years ago
Searched around the web for some tips, and of them all, I'm definitely going with this one. Thanks!