Im in the process of re-organizing my garage shop, and I am building cabinets. Currently I have completed 2 cabinets 48x20x36. Im using But joints held together with Pocket screws and Elmers wood glue. and to hang them Im ripping a 2x4 at a 45 degree down the center of the 2x4. And ancord to the wall studes.
I am building all my garage cabinets from 3/4 inch ply using but joints w/ pocket screws.
Is this strong enough for garage storage or should I look at a stronger joint for them???
If you are going to use butt joints and glue, I wouldn't use pocket screws, but rather use a coarse thread 2" (piloted) @ 90° from the outside. If you are concerned about what that would look like countersink and glue in a wood plug. A far superior connection.
To hang the cabinet, I don't use ledger boards. An upper cabinet may sit on a back splash, and that's about all the ledgering I do. If you want to use a french cleat, a 2x4 split will set the back of the cabinet ¾" more in than just using ¾" wood or plywood. Upper cabinets mount to the wall very well with just a hang rail...about 3" high (¾ plywood or solid wood). It is glued and screwed to the top of the cabinets and the sides of the cabinet.
I would use a back to the cabinet. In using a hang rail, a ¼" plywood back will keep the back of the box square. If you are doing butt joints, you can cut the back the exact size as the outside of the box, and glue and fasten to the back edges...and that will square the cabinet.
An advantage to dadoes and rabbets is that once all the machining is done, you have more of a glue surface for the joinery, and the ends of the plywood are covered.
Base cabinets can also be hung, if a toe kick or legs are not wanted.
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