Do you find yourself asking, 'Are my jobs priced too high? Too low?' Confidence about your pricing structure doesn't come naturally. And as a craftsman, it can be hard to price your work. Good news: it's your choice how you set your prices. Bad news, though: there's no formula or magic approach you can pull […]
When choosing or building cabinets, there are two types of construction methods to consider: face frame or frameless. The difference has to do with the way the box is built. But is one better than the other? Each style has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. And can effect several aspects of your project like […]
Wood stains can do wonders. They can make new wood look like old wood. Or an affordable wood look high-end. But not all stains are equal. There's a wide range of stain types and different ways to apply that makes it hard to know what's best for your project and skillset. In this blog, we […]
The cabinetmaking industry is a hard one to enter. You need a lot of knowledge, a lot of experience, and a lot of equipment. In this blog, we're going to focus on that last part. The equipment part. Investing in the best tools brings a return that's hard to beat. It makes your process faster, […]
Whether you're an experienced finisher or just starting out, applying stain can be a frustrating task. But we have a secret. A secret that will make staining wood 10x easier. Are you ready for it? Here it is: The most critical part of staining is before you even open the can of stain. It's all […]
Ah, crown moldings and shaker doors. A match made in heaven. Sike. If you know a thing or two about architectural history, you know that shaker cabinet doors and crown moldings come from two very different worlds. One is all about simplicity and the other is about extravagance. But sometimes when you're refacing older kitchens, […]
Each wood species absorbs stain differently. Some receive stain really well and enhance the natural grain of the wood. Others get really splotchy and end up causing headache after headache. Before you commit to a wood species for your stained cabinet doors, there are a few characteristics of each wood to be aware of. In […]
There's a common misconception that HDF or MDF 1-piece doors are cheap and flimsy compared to solid wood 5-piece doors. But here's the thing. Both construction methods have different characteristics and advantages depending on the space they're going in. Is one better than the other, though? And what are the pros and cons of each? […]
Quick. What's the first wood that comes to mind when you think of 'paint grade'? ...was it Poplar? If it was, you're not alone. Poplar is a lot of cabinetmaker's first choice for paint grade cabinet doors. We have a confession to make, though. We're not the biggest fans of it. We know, we know. […]
If you purchase a lot of lumber or make products out of lumber, you've probably noticed huge price increases and material shortages over the last few months. Overall, the price of lumber - which includes both softwood and hardwood lumber - has soared 50 percent since April of 2020. In fact, The National Association of […]
Conversion Varnish is one of the best (if not the best) finishes that can be applied to cabinet doors and wood in general. But what makes it so great? Let's take a closer look at what exactly it is and the advantages and disadvantages of using it. What is conversion varnish and how is it […]
When you're a cabinetmaker you have 2 choices when it comes to finishing: Finish the cabinets in the shop or finish on the job site. Go up to any cabinetmaker and I'm sure you'll get strong opinions on the matter. It's a hot topic, for sure. But is one better than the other? Is quality […]
Some woods like paint and some don't. Here's a quick rundown of which woods to use and which ones to avoid if you're painting your cabinets. The best woods for painted cabinetry: 1. Soft Maple Despite its name, Soft Maple is actually considered to be a hard wood when it comes to density (harder than […]
It matters what wood you use for your cabinet doors. Some woods dent easily. Some woods scratch easily. And some woods can get put through the ringer and still come out looking good as new. Depending on the space, a certain level of hardness may make it a better choice. Even though most people pick […]
Here at Ruck Cabinet Doors, we offer 5 grades of wood: Select, Paint, Rustic, Rift Sawn, and Quarter Sawn. And we get a lot of questions about our two most popular grades: paint and select. So what exactly is the difference between the two? Let's dive in. Paint Grade Like the name suggests, paint-grade wood […]
Finding the perfect gift is hard. Finding the perfect gift for a woodworker is even harder. But don't worry. We put together this list of our top 10 favorite tools and products that would make perfect gifts for your favorite woodworker (even if that's yourself). 1. GluBot If you get anything on this list, get […]
We get a lot of questions about whether solid wood or HDF is better for cabinet doors. The answer is always, "it depends". It depends on many factors. The space they're going in, the budget you're working with, and the details that are most important to you and your customer. That being said, solid wood […]
It has been said and said again - outsourcing helps grow businesses. Whether you're a 1 guy shop or a 30 man crew, outsourcing will help you meet your business goals. So what exactly is outsourcing? According to Wikipedia, outsourcing is "an agreement in which one company hires another company to be responsible for a […]
Cabinet doors are the most visible component in your kitchen. The style you pick sets the tone for the rest of the kitchen. And with over 50 different door styles, it can get a bit overwhelming deciding which one is the best for your client. But don't worry. There's 3 distinctive door styles that we […]
Painted kitchen cabinetry isn't just a 2020 trend. It's a trend that's here to stay. And yes we know, trends aren't everything. They come and they go. (Tell that to your parents and their golden oak cabinets.) But trends do determine what homeowners are gravitating towards and asking for. So we went through all of […]
A bad photo reflects poorly on your work. You could build the most beautiful, high-end kitchen, but if your photo is blurry, lopsided, or you can see a slight blur of a thumb in the bottom righthand corner, all that hard work just ends up looking cheap. Let's face it. We're living in a digital […]
Making a cabinet door isn’t hard. But it can be a lot of work. In fact, there’s about 25 steps to making a door (yep, we counted). And not only do you have to make the doors, but you have to design the kitchen, assemble the cabinets, and then install. Oh, and don’t forget. If […]
Move over, Solid Wood. There’s a new kid on the block. HDF might not be the first material that comes to mind when you think of cabinet doors, but it's actually a great alternative to solid wood and might even be the superior choice for your kitchen project. First of all: What is HDF? High […]
Get an inside look on how we make your dovetail drawer boxes - from start to finish.
Trends come and go in the cabinet industry. And ash cabinets haven't been in the spotlight for quite some time. Its light wash and grain were a big hit in the 1970's, but now? Not so much. It's kind of a hardwood to sell (...get it?). Even though it's an affordable wood option, the use […]
