Overhead cabinet concern...

[Richard 34A]

One of my overhead cabinets is sagging and pulling apart in two different places. It's used primarly as a game cabinet and doesn't seem like it could have much weight loaded in it.



Any suggestions on the best and safest way to repair, or minimize, the gap?

Thank you,

[Richard 34A]

One of my overhead cabinets is sagging and pulling apart in two different places. It's used primarly as a game cabinet and doesn't seem like it could have much weight loaded in it.



Any suggestions on the best and safest way to repair, or minimize, the gap?

Thank you,

[CHIPPYSGT]

If you can get to the back of the vertical piece, how about drilling a pilot hole thru it and into the horizonal piece at an angle.

Then, push the bottom of the cabinet up and run the screw in. Maybe a small dab of Gorilla Glue to add strength.

Maybe a small "L" bracket back there.

[troth]

I'd definitely use Gorilla Glue (white, not the foaming urethane). Try a piece of 2x4 wood standing on end on the floor, then a small hydraulic jack on top to push up under the cabinet. Let 'er sit overnite.

[Richard 34A]

Thanks for the replies; the 'L' brackets or even some flat stock would take a little more effort but seems like that would be a great long-term solution.

[Clay L]

That happened to the cabinet over our couch (DW had canned goods in it) and I used a Tee bracket from a hardware store on the back side. DW held the bottom of the cabinet up while I put the screws in.

Gorilla glue is a good choice in many cases but requires clamping and I didn't see a good way to do that.

[smlranger]

I'd also vote for a combination of glue/clamping along with a T plate or L bracket. I am constantly amazed at how properly glued wood holds together.

[Jeeperrmartin]

I am a retired shop teacher. I was always taught in college and in testing that a properly glue surface is about 20% stronger that the wood. It is in the bonding of the wood fibers together.

[skigramp]

Richard ...

There are generally two methods of holding joints like this together
a) dowels
b) biscuits (a little "flattened" football shape piece of wood

I suggest you try to get some glue on the dowels or biscuit before you put it back together and then use some sort of strap on the pack ...

[Norm3206]

I agree with the glue and metal strapping group. The stile (vertical part) is joined on end grain which is the weekest glued joint. The strapping will help and definitely be worthwhile.

[Clay L]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by troth:
I'd definitely use Gorilla Glue (white, not the foaming urethane). Try a piece of 2x4 wood standing on end on the floor, then a small hydraulic jack on top to push up under the cabinet. Let 'er sit overnite.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

My problem was that the couch is under my problem cabinet. I wanted to glue it but I couldn't figure out a good way to clamp it or jack it as you suggested so just used a Tee plate.

[tderonne]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Norm3206:
I agree with the glue and metal strapping group. The stile (vertical part) is joined on end grain which is the weekest glued joint. The strapping will help and definitely be worthwhile. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Grain? Not in MDF/particle board (or whatever the proper name for this stuff is...)

[Norm3206]

Maybe my rig is just too old but my face frames are solid wood.

[Richard 34A]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Norm3206:
Maybe my rig is just too old but my face frames are solid wood. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

'Quality' is never too old... I'd want to check to be certain, but I think my '05 uses real wood for the cabinet door panels, but as tderonne mentions, that phony wood MDF stuff for all the framing. I should be able to use some 't' brackets though to repair.