I had read a blog post from a couple who had found 1/4″ MDF at a lumber yard that also cut it into strips for them. This is what I was seeking. Do you think I could find it? Heck, no.

Can I tell you how sick I am of walking into my kitchen with open cabinets and no drawers? I am so ready to get this project to be completed, my kitchen totally unpacked and fully functional.

After making many phone calls for a month and a half I finally tracked down 1/4″ MDF in 4′ x 8′ sheets at A&M Supply where they graciously agreed to sell a couple of sheets to a non-commercial client — they’re a distributor. The only requirement was that the form of payment be cash or credit card and no returns allowed. No problem.

A&M did not cut product for customers so from there I started checking who was nearby who would cut the MDF for me. Many, many calls later I called the nearest Lowe’s and spoke to a man who worked in the lumber department — after I explained how long I’ve been trying to get these materials for my project he said he didn’t know what Lowe’s policy was, but I should bring it in and he would personally cut it for me. I told him I would be there the next day.

The next morning I drove to his Lowe’s to rent a truck that would hold the 4′ x 8′ sheets since my Xterra wouldn’t, then drove the truck to A&M Supply, purchased the MDF, drove back to Lowe’s, got help to unload the sheets, and then returned the truck. Sheesh. All that was a project in itself.

I got the MDF inside and found the guy who offered to cut it into strips for me and got the feeling he could be doing something he might get in trouble for. I kept telling him I didn’t want him to do something that could cause him problems. He repeatedly told me to not worry about it as he pulled the cart back to the saw.

He cut one entire sheet into the 3″ strips I needed for the doors. On the next sheet he cut three 5 1/4″ strips I needed for the drawer and sink fronts. I had him cut the remaining piece in half so it would fit in my Xterra.

He was such a sweet person. I’d like to mention his name, but on the off-chance it could cause him problems at Lowe’s I won’t do that. He hauled it all back out to my truck and helped me load it in. I told him I had to resist the urge to give him a big hug and thanked him profusely for helping me out.

After a month and a half of searching I had the materials to start converting my cabinet doors and drawer fronts to a Shaker look.

Assessing strips and changed requirements

The odyssey of materials was the good part, but when I got it all home I was confronted with the reality of the project.

I had been aware while the strips were being cut there was going to be a problem. The guy who volunteered to help my contact cut the actual strips didn’t bend over to pull the board straight across the saw and pulled each strip up toward the end of the cut. As I watched I figured the end of each board would have to be discarded. These guys were helping me out and I wasn’t about to say one word. I just upped the number of strips I’d need of each size to cover the waste at the ends.

I also wasn’t about to check the measurements of the boards. I said 3″ and 5 1/4″ and allowed them to do the cuts without any nagging. Again — these guys were helping me out. You just don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. I was thrilled to finally have the strips cut.

Measuring strips

So I get home and unload the strips. I cut the first strip for the drawer front and sensed there was a problem.

I went out and measured and the strips weren’t 5 1/4″ wide — they’re about 1/16 (or the saw blade width) short.

You know what? I’ll just deal with it. I decide the top edge of the strip should be level with the top of the drawer and allow the 1/16″ shortage to be at the bottom of the drawer where it won’t be so noticeable to user. Not what I wanted, but I would just do the best I could with what I had.

So on to the door fronts. I had asked for 3″ because it was the bare minimum the strips had to be to cover the holes from the old door handles. Guess what? The 3″ strips were also at least a 1/16″ short so at least part of the holes for the handles would show. Peachy.

I had filled the handle holes on the inside of the doors so they would look good when painted. I had not filled the holes from the outside since they would be covered by the strips.

Add another step to the process. I had to fill all the handle holes on the outside of the doors so they wouldn’t show at the edges of the strips. Just what I needed — another step.

Don’t get me wrong — I am so happy to finally have the strips and so appreciative of the man who was willing to cut them for me. It just is going to end up being more work than the project already entailed.

If you decide to do this update and have someone else cut the strips — make sure your strips are cut to the correct width or do it yourself if you have a table saw. Boy, I wish I had a table saw.