What Do Luxury Cabinet Makers Actually Do?
By Spaceworks|September 03, 2014
The job of a luxury cabinet maker is to build or repair furniture that is comprised of solid timber, flat-panel or timber based products. They might specialise in a particular area (such as reproduction antique furniture, kitchen fittings, office furniture, bedroom suites, and shop fittings) or they might apply their skills to all applications. Some of the tasks they may perform include:
How do you become a cabinet maker?
In order to become fully qualified, you will need to complete an apprenticeship in cabinet or furniture making. Most employers require a minimum of Year 10 education, but it is always beneficial if you have your high school certificate. You will receive on and off the job training; off usually occurs at a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). The details of the training will differ from person to person.
You will be required to dedicate three to four years of your life to completing your apprenticeship. During this time, you will be required to attend work with a “host employer” (who will pay you for your services) and you will be required to attend off the job training at your designated RTO. For those of you who are more hands on, note you will spend more time at work than not.
If you aren’t sure what you want to do job wise once you finish school, or you are looking for a career change, you might want to consider becoming a luxury cabinet maker. If you are practical, enjoy manual work and have good hand-eye coordination, this could be the perfect job for you. You should also be able to follow written instructions and work to a high level of accuracy.
- The selection and preparation of timber and manufactured board;
- Marking out, cutting and shaping pieces using saws, chisels, planes, power tools and other woodworking machines;
- Trimming and gluing joints, and fitting parts together to form sections;
- Placing sections in clamps, applying pressure and reinforcing the joints with nails, dowels and screws;
- Assembling sections to form completed items of furniture;
- The preparation of drawings from specifications or determining the job requirements by looking at drawings and specifications;
- Fitting hinges, lock, catches, drawers and shelves as necessary;
- Installing completed products in the home or workplace;
- Repairing damaged furniture and cabinets (even those items that they have not originally built); and
- Making jigs, templates and prototypes for the production of furniture.
How do you become a cabinet maker?
In order to become fully qualified, you will need to complete an apprenticeship in cabinet or furniture making. Most employers require a minimum of Year 10 education, but it is always beneficial if you have your high school certificate. You will receive on and off the job training; off usually occurs at a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). The details of the training will differ from person to person.
You will be required to dedicate three to four years of your life to completing your apprenticeship. During this time, you will be required to attend work with a “host employer” (who will pay you for your services) and you will be required to attend off the job training at your designated RTO. For those of you who are more hands on, note you will spend more time at work than not.
If you aren’t sure what you want to do job wise once you finish school, or you are looking for a career change, you might want to consider becoming a luxury cabinet maker. If you are practical, enjoy manual work and have good hand-eye coordination, this could be the perfect job for you. You should also be able to follow written instructions and work to a high level of accuracy.
