Cabinet Question

[MJBaldwin]

Well here is the deal I have painted all our cabinets and put in a new dishwasher the problem that I am having is that the kitchen must have been a retro fit at one point. But I have a smaller cabinet in between my stove and dishwasher. I am wondering what the best way to cut it down would be it is attached some how to the floor and the counter but I am just going to sawzall it all out. I plan to put a filler board on the other side.

This is a problem because I cannot open the dishwasher without hitting the other door handles and its driving me crazy.

Let me knowI have attached a picture for some clarity.

[ENMIFDAD]

If you can't see any screws under the inside top of the cabinet, it's probably glued down to the cabinet. Did you consider leaving just the cabinet side and one vertical stile of the face frame between your washer and stove? That would give the countertop something to rest on instead of the dishwasher. Or, split the difference and put fillers on both sides for balance.

[PurpleFloyd]

I agree with the above post that you would be better served if you could just reduce the width of that cabinet by 3 inches and add a 3 inch filler to the right side to give you clearance. That cabinet give support to the countertop and also gives you storage for cookie sheets.

As to how to get the cabinet out, look for the screws holding through the top of the cabinet and back them out. Then there are probably screws or nails through the back of the cabinet holding it to the wall but it is possible it is fastened in some other way that you just have to deal with. Usually a hammer and a pry bar will do the trick. If you pull out the stove you can probably pry up the top from the side too.

[Tom7227]

I just demo'd my kitchen and the counters were nailed to the wall in a 1x4 that was at the top back of the cabinet, and to the floor in the front. There has to be some sort of attachment to the countertop as well. Pull the dishwasher and see if you can ease the countertop up enough to cut any screws or nails to the one you want to remove. My guess is that if you cut the right side of the narrow one and try to dismantle it you may have some success. You obviously have to be careful so you don't damage the countertop or you'll regret it. How come the old dishwasher wasn't a problem?

[Surface Tension]

Get your measurements for the new cabinet or filler strips and have them ready to go if that is what your going to use.

Remove the dishwasher and stove.

The counter top will need to be temporarily supported before you try and remove the cabinet.

I don't know if you'll get the cabinet out without having to cut it up because there is a good chance the cabinet is set over a cleat(wood block) on the floor and nailed or screwed to it. Having the counter top set isn't going to allow you to lift the cabinet out and you don't want to risk damaging the joint on the counter top.

As said the cabinet will be fastened to the wall with screws or nails and the counter top will be screwed, caulked, or both. If its caulked you might be able to score that but chances are you'll be cutting the cabinet up to remove it.

I'd do as PurpleFloyd suggested with a narrower cabinet with storage for pans instead of two filler strips.

You'll want to keep the cabinet as wide as you can, for one it is supporting the counter top.

I'd probably build the new cabinet in place because the counter top is set. Don't forget the cleat on the floor to anchor the base.

[LightningBG]

PF. Look at you with the fancy design. Strong work.

[MJBaldwin]

Hey guys thanks for all your responses. I do plan on keeping the cabinet never wanted to get rid up it just "shorten it up" my plan of attack to get the cabinet out was just sawing prying and or use a sawzall and see where that brings me. (didn’t see any screws or nail holes while I had everything out while painting the cabinets) I plan to put a filler on the right side approx 2-3 inches so that the door on the dishwasher will not hit the knobs.

My question was mainly what’s the best way I can cut the cabinet in half and piece it back together 2-3 inches shorter? I was thinking a table saw and the biscuit joining it back together? Of course as a new homeowner I do not have any of the tools I would need for the project but sure I can find a coworker with some. Any other Ideas how I could split it in half or how I could lose 2-3 inches off that cabinet.

Tom7227 - The old one would hit the cabinet handle as well but we just had old crappy handles on there and didn’t really care it was hitting it because we knew we wanted to do this remodel but with the new handle it’s just a paint and want it to look nice.

[CAMAN]

You should be able to pop the face frame off, remove one of the sides cut the amount you want to remove off the top, bottom, and back on a table saw.. Then reinstall the side with glue and screws.

For the face frame, find the joint where one of the vertical stiles attaches to the horizontals. Figure out how to break it apart at that joint depending on how it's assembled, then cut the same length you cut off the box off of the horizontal pieces with either a miter saw or table saw. Reassemble with glue and screws.

Pretty simple, just need to figure out the least damaging way to disassemble everything and find a way to cut everything square.

[MJBaldwin]

Well here is the finished product. Didn’t take nearly as long as I thought it might. I spent most of my time charging the batteries on the saw and waiting for paint to dry. Doesn’t look to bad for the few tools I had and what I knew. Just have to make a kick plate for the dishwasher as the ol’ lady’s dad lost it when we got it. But for free we cannot complain.

Original Set Up-

New Set Up - As you can see the cabinet got smaller but still works for what we were using it for.

Thanks for all the responses!

[CAMAN]

Looks good and glad it worked out. But UFF DA! That opening is narrow now! If it's too narrow I would either have a new face frame made with narrower stiles or disassemble the existing one and cut them narrower by an inch or so.

[Tom7227]

The big question is how many new tools were you able to buy to make this project work. You know it would have cost at least $300 in labor to have someone come in and do it so you could easily have popped for some new toy for up to $200. Worked for me for years.

[MJBaldwin]

Haha yea I should have done that! Normally I can do with that but as everyone knows with buying a house there are always things that come up. Want to purchase a boat sotrying to save the money. Thanks guys it wasnt too hard.

CAMAN - Yes its very small opening can barley fit my arm in there. Was thinking about doing the face frame and cutting it down but just held off it doesnt bother us too much and if it does in the future I will go down this road. Thanks again for all your comments.