--- title: "CNC Routing for Custom Cabinet Doors, Drawer Fronts & Casework" description: "CNC fabrication for custom cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and casework. Shaker, slab, and frameless systems built for kitchens, built-ins, and millwork." canonical: https://openspindle.com/capabilities/cnc-routing-cabinets --- # CNC Routing for Custom Cabinet Doors, Drawer Fronts & Casework Precision CNC fabrication for modular cabinetry systems, kitchens, and built-ins. - Cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and casework panels cut to spec from a single design file - Shaker, slab, frameless, and inset systems -- any style, any run size - Assembly-ready components dimensioned for direct integration with standard cabinet hardware ## Equipment Used - 3-axis CNC router with vacuum hold-down table - 35mm boring head for European hinge cup holes - Compression-spiral tooling for clean plywood cross-grain edges - Nested-based manufacturing workflow (sheet nesting software) ## Get Quotes Submit a project at [openspindle.com/quote](https://openspindle.com/quote) to receive matched quotes from vetted CNC fabrication shops. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is CNC routed cabinet fabrication? CNC routed cabinet fabrication refers to using a computer-controlled router to cut cabinet box components including sides, tops, bottoms, backs, shelves, dividers, and face frames from sheet goods such as plywood, MDF, or melamine. The CNC router cuts each part to exact dimensions, machines dado grooves, shelf pin holes, and assembly features in a single automated operation. This produces cabinet parts that are consistently square, accurately sized, and ready for assembly, eliminating the variability of table saw and manual drilling methods. ### What tolerances do you hold on CNC routed cabinet parts? We hold +/-0.01 to +/-0.015 inch tolerances on cabinet box parts. At this tolerance level, parts from the same file nest together accurately without fitting adjustments, and face frames align flush with box edges. Shelf pin holes are drilled on 32mm centers within +/-0.5mm, matching European cabinet hardware standards. Dado and rabbet grooves are machined to match your specific panel thickness for a snug, glue-ready fit. Consistent tolerances across a full cabinet run mean fewer assembly problems and tighter finished reveals. ### What sheet goods can you CNC rout for cabinet production? We rout 3/4-inch and 1/2-inch plywood (birch, maple, oak, and furniture-grade hardwood ply), MDF, MDO, melamine-coated particleboard, and thermally fused laminate (TFL) panels. We also cut 1/4-inch hardboard and plywood for cabinet backs. Baltic birch in 4x8 and 5x5 sheet sizes is available. Melamine and TFL panels require a compression spiral bit to prevent edge chipping, which we use as standard for coated materials. Specify your panel species, thickness, and core type when submitting your project at openspindle.com/quote for accurate material and cutting pricing. ### Can you drill shelf pin holes and hardware locations during CNC routing? Yes. Shelf pin hole drilling on 32mm system spacing, hinge plate mounting holes, drawer slide attachment holes, and other hardware locations are all programmed into the same CNC operation as the part cutouts. This eliminates secondary drilling and ensures hardware placement is exact and consistent across every cabinet in a run. Provide hardware specifications including brand, model, and mounting dimensions in your file or quote notes at openspindle.com/quote. We routinely work with Blum, Grass, Accuride, and Richelieu hardware standards. ### How much does CNC routed cabinet cutting cost? Cabinet box cutting from a standard 4x8 sheet typically runs $30-$70 per sheet for cutting time, not including material cost. A basic upper or lower cabinet box requires roughly 0.5 to 1 sheet of material depending on dimensions. Per-sheet cutting costs drop at volumes of 10 or more sheets. Setup fees apply to new files and cover toolpath programming and nesting optimization. For a full kitchen or built-in project, submit your cut list or cabinet design file at openspindle.com/quote and we will provide a complete line-item quote covering cutting time, materials, and any secondary operations. ### What file formats do you accept for cabinet cutting? We accept DXF, DWG, and SVG files for 2D cabinet part cutting. If you design in Cabinet Vision, KCD, Microvellum, or Mozaik, export your cut list and part files to DXF before submitting. CutList Plus and similar optimized cut list formats can also be provided as a reference alongside your part drawings. Parts should be drawn at 1:1 scale with dado, rabbet, and drill locations on separate layers from cut outlines. If you have only a hand-drawn cut list, we can create the file for a setup fee. Submit your project at openspindle.com/quote to get started. ### Can you cut dados, rabbets, and grooves for cabinet assembly? Yes. Dados for fixed shelves, rabbets for cabinet backs, and groove channels for drawer bottoms or sliding panels are all machined during the CNC routing operation. Dado width and depth are programmed to match your specific material thickness for a precise fit. We typically aim for a 0.005 to 0.010 inch clearance fit for glue-up joints. Blind dados and stopped rabbets are also possible. Include all joinery geometry in your file with dimensions and depth noted, or provide a detail drawing and we will program accordingly. Submit your project at openspindle.com/quote. ### Do you nest parts to minimize sheet material waste? Yes. We use nesting software to arrange cabinet parts on each sheet to maximize material yield and minimize waste before cutting. Efficient nesting reduces your material cost on larger runs. For production runs of 5 or more cabinets, we typically achieve 85-92% material utilization depending on part shapes. You can provide your own nest layout or let us handle it. Our team programs the nest as part of job setup. If grain direction matters for your material (face-grain plywood, for example), note that requirement in your quote at openspindle.com/quote so it is respected during nesting. ### What is the lead time for CNC routed cabinet parts? Standard lead time is 3-5 business days from approved files to cut and finished parts. A full kitchen's worth of cabinet box parts, typically 15-30 sheets, falls within the standard window. Larger projects of 50 or more sheets may require 7-10 business days and are scheduled in advance. If you are building on a construction timeline, share your target delivery date when submitting your project at openspindle.com/quote so we can confirm availability. Rush cutting is available for an additional fee subject to shop schedule. ### How do I get a quote for CNC routed cabinet parts? Submit your project at openspindle.com/quote. Upload your part files (DXF, DWG, or SVG), a cut list, or your cabinet design program export. Include sheet material type, thickness, quantity of parts or sheets, and any secondary operations such as shelf pin drilling or dado routing. You will receive a line-item quote within one business day. For large cabinet production projects or ongoing fabrication partnerships, contact us directly to discuss volume pricing, material sourcing, and production scheduling.