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The right cabinet installation tools are the difference between a great cabinet installation and a disaster. Perhaps you want to avoid the $5000 professional installation expense and try a DIY cabinet installation? Not sure if you can lift and hold the cabinets? Or, maybe you have most of the tools and want to round your list before the installation day? Whatever your need, the tools in this article will help.
Look, after installing over 100 kitchens I know cabinet installation tools are unique.
In fact, you’ve likely never seen tools like a Cabinet Jack or Cabinet Claw . But in this article we’ll review these and many more to help your upcoming installation.
Not sure yet if you need to invest in specialized tools?Â
Well, consider that there are tools on this list that will:
- Allow a single person to install upper cabinets
- Another that will eliminate complex angle cuts on crown molding
- And a last that will prevent you from needing to re-install base cabinets when the solid surface installer rejects an uneven installation (it’s happened to me!)
So rather than fight an installation, budget a few hundred dollars and make sure you have the right cabinet installation tools for a high quality installation.
You won’t regret the investment later…
Cabinet Installation Tools
1. Cabinet Claw for Holding Face Frames During Installation
Overview
- Secures face frames together during cabinet installation
- Bi-directional clamping for side-to-side and front-to-back
- Offers an integrated guide bushing for drilling pilot holes
- Clamps frames while trim-head screws are used to connect the frame
And, if you’re interested in more cabinet clamps check out cabinet clamp guide for clamps from construction to installation.
Buying Guide
- The Pony Cabinet Claw and Bessey Cabinet Claws are the only two on the market. Or, at least that I have found.
- Commonly purchased with a Cabinet Jack and GRK Cabinet Trim Head Screws
2. Cabinet Installation Jack
The cabinet jack takes the weight off you and holds upper cabinets in place while shimming, clamping and screwing. Cabinet jacks are available in lengths from 18-144".
Overview
If you’ve installed cabinets before you know one of the most physical jobs is holding upper cabinets in place while they are shimmed, clamped to adjacent cabinets, and then screwed together. Â
But the cabinet jack alleviates the weight-lifting by holding the cabinet in place while it is installed.
Key features:
- Lengths from 18-144″ to support base-first installation or fridge cabinets
- Holds weight of cabinets while they are clamped or screwed
- Enables a one-person installation
These work great in combination with #1 on this list (the cabinet clamp) to form the duo know as the cabinet jack and claw.
Buying Guide
- I recommend the FastCap UpperHand 28-60 that allows you to install upper cabinets first (most are 54″ to the bottom).
3. Cabinet Hardware Jig to Install Knobs and Handles
Overview
Installation doesn’t stop when everything is on the wall.
Why?
Well most cabinet installations involve drilling and installing cabinet knobs or handles.Â
So, instead of spending hours with a tape measure, pencil, and combination square marking out knobs take a look at a cabinet knob drill guide to make the job easy and accurate.
Key reasons to use a jig:
- Ensure accurate hole placement from door to door
- Avoid door and drawer front damage (which often cost more than the jig!)
- Professional-grade versions available to install up to 38″ long handle bars
Tip: Use a thick backing block to avoid splintering the back of the door with the pilot drill bit.
Buying Guide
- For small jobs I use the TOURACE Jig that is highly economical and surprisingly accurate.
- But for large projects, invest in the industry leading Original Hardware Jig that is all metal and built for long-term use.
4. Laser Level to Avoid Re-installing Base Cabinets
Overview
I had to re-install a kitchen once when the (extremely) uneven floor caused leveling issues.Â
Why? Well, the solid surface installers rejected the plane as not perfectly flat.
Now, this was a multi-room wrap-around kitchen with 65′ of base cabinets.Â
But, on a basic U-shaped kitchen the risk is the same.
So, for any installer, I highly recommend a laser level in the center of the room to give you a perfectly flat plane to install your base and upper cabinets too.Â
Key features to look for:
- 360-degree beam for “set and forget”.
- Green line or red line is fine. But, if you do exterior work a green line can be advantageous.
- Accuracy of these lasers in a kitchen with walls 10-15′ apart should be acceptable.
Buying Guide
- The green line Huepar 902CG is an economical DIY choice.
- Accessories:Â
- Look for an optional Huepar Tripod to hold your laser in place.
5. Crown molding guide to eliminate compound cuts
Overview
One of the trickiest jobs in a cabinet installation is cutting inside and outside angles in crown molding.Â
And let’s face it: most DIY installers will never cut a more complicated angle than for crown molding. Besides, an inside, compound angle on a $80 piece of trim is nerve wracking for an even a professional!
So, make this job a little easier and pick up a tool to simplify the complex compound angles involved with crown molding.
Buying GUide
- The General Tools Crown King is an easy-to-use DIY friendly tool to simplify complex cuts.
6. Cabinet wedge to position cabinets
Overview
Now this tool might be a surprise to even a cabinet installation professional.
The cabinet wedge is an air powered wedge that will help with a task you don’t even know will be an issue: lifting base cabinets just ever-so-slightly to find perfect level.
And then you can place the shim.
But seriously – is this worth it? Yes! Leveling base cabinets on uneven floors is a major pain-point and this nifty tool (or 3 of them, in fact) will make the job easier.
The alternative? You’ll be lifting, shimming, and leveling while fussing with shims and bulky cabinets. And I don’t like that amount of time on the floor.
Buying GUide
- The 3-pack Rhino Strong are an economical way to help shim.
- And, once the wedge has the cabinet in place, I also like to use easy-to-snap composite shims like these Nelson Composite Shims that avoid the sawing you’ll encounter with wood shims.
7. Six foot cabinet level to span cabinets
Overview
You can’t install a kitchen without a level. And I’m not talking about that 12″ long plastic level you have in the utility drawer. Â
A cabinet installation requires at least a 6′ level for a number of reasons:
- Ensure cabinets spanning gaps over ranges, sinks, and other areas are level with each other.
- Checking cabinet alignment vertically between upper and lower cabinets.
- Making sure your lower cabinets are absolutely flat for installing solid surface tops.
Buying GUide
- The OX Tools 72-inch six foot level is a great place to start. But nothing fancy here just length.
8. Squeeze clamps for holding frameless cabinets
Overview
As an upgrade to the cabinet wedge (at least for base cabinets) and a 2-in-1 deal for frameless cabinets make this FastCap unique tool a professionals consideration.
Key features:
- Reversible jaw for lifting or clamping
- Large, heavy duty trigger clamp for holding frameless cabinets firmly in place.
- FastCap innovation and reputation
And coupled with the cabinet jacks the combination provides a quick and effortless way to steady a cabinet and securely screw it with perfect alignment vertically and horizontally.
Buying Guide
- The FastCap Jack of All Trades is a trigger clamp made just for cabinet installation
- But, you can also check out the Jorgenson Spreader Clamp at a more economical price.
9. Belt sander to sand face frames
Overview
I can’t remember an installation where I didn’t use a belt sander to adjust either a face frame or cabinet back.Â
Due to kitchen walls and drywall that aren’t perfect you’ll need a belt sander to adjust the cabinet sides, face frames or bases.
Because your woodworking aspirations will determine what size and type of belt sander you’ll need there is a range of cheap to professional. For example:
- A single installation a belt sander can be found for under $50 that will do the job.
- But for around $200-250 you’ll find sanders with more power, better dust collection and larger belts.
Buying Guide
- If you’re an occasional DIY’er a Tack Life Belt Sander will do fine.
- But, for a professional I have used and been a fan of the Makita 4×24-inch belt sander for power and the best dust collection on the jobsite.
10. Stud Finder for locating studs and avoiding wires
Overview
Cabinets falling off the wall.
Drilling a cabinet knob in the wrong spot.
Hitting an electric line or plumbing with a screw.
Look, there’s no reason to hit anything behind the wall while installing cabinets. Due to readily available 4-in-1 stud finders that can locate just about everything behind the wall you cannot safety install a kitchen without a stud finder
Features of popular stud finders:
- Locate wood stud edges to center screws
- Find electrical lines
- Identify plumbing / utility lines
- Metal stud identification
Buying Guide
- The popular Tavool Stud Finder is a great stud finder for DIY’ers
Don’t forget: this tool is something you’ll use over and over for pictures and shelving.
11. Japanese pull saw to trim shims
Overview
I’ve mentioned a few times in this article I really prefer a composite shim for cabinet installation.
But, if you found yourself with wood shims, a pull saw is a fantastic way to do flush wood trimming.
And in cabinet installations with wood shims you’ll find yourself in this situation.
A great benefit of this tool is it’s reusable for future woodworking projects where flush cuts are needed (dowels, thru tenons, etc.).
Buying Guide
- The SUIZAN Pull Saw is a high quality flush cut saw for trimming shims.
- Or, avoid this and use the Nelson Composite Shims I recommended earlier.
12. Trim nailer for crown and other molding
Overview
Cabinet installation almost always involves some sort of trim – including the tough-to-tackle crown molding.
And while you could tackle this with a pilot bit, brads and a hammer with a nail set I’d recommend against it.
Especially with four common nailing tasks:
- Crown molding installation
- Toe kick installation
- Base shoe
- Skirt molding (often used to conceal lighting)
Best of all, if you own one of the modern battery ecosystems there’s a cordless option to skip the noisy air compressor.
Buying Guide
- For a budget the WEN 61721 Brad Nailer will work fine for a DIY cabinet installation.
- But for a serious woodworker or professional installer the Porter Cable is a tool to look at (or the 20v Dewalt).
13. Miter saw for installing cabinet trim
Overview
Every cabinet installation requires a miter saw to cut trim and crown molding.
Because it makes quick work of helping install cabinet filler strips between face frames, cutting trim, and slicing complex angle crown molding you’ll find installing a kitchen without one a challenge.
A few things to look for:
- You can skip the cost of the compound, sliding miter saw if you use a General Tools jig as mentioned above
- But, make sure you invest in blocking or an in-feed / out-feed table for supporting the trim
- 10″ is fine for homeowner use (I build kitchens with a 10″ saw)Â
Buying Guide
- This might be one of your biggest expenses, and the Metabo HPT miter saw is a budget option with a quality cut.
- But, professionals can invest substantially more with the Festool 575306 for the supreme miter saw. Just don’t blink when you see the price!
14. Jigsaw to cut outlet and plumbing holes
Overview
While your first reaction to a jigsaw on this list might be “Hey, I’m not building cabinets” – this is a tool you may use a few times.
First, every cabinet installation requires a few outlet holes and plumbing holes to be cut.Â
And second, if your project will continue to installing laminate counters you’ll possibly need this for cutting out the sink hole.
A few features that should be top of mind for a jigsaw:
- Adjustable stroke for aggressive cuts in soft wood, or less aggressive in harder woods (and laminate tops)
- Smooth machined bottom to not scratch the surface
- And variable speed control to adapt to number of teeth on the blade
- Cordless to avoid (literally) cutting the cord
Buying Guide
- If your woodworking projects will continue the popular Cordless Dewalt Jigsaw is worth consideration.
- But for one-time use check out the TACKLIFE for a budget friendly option.
15. Hearing protection for saws and nailers
Overview
This is a part of cabinet installation most forget about until the saws and nailers start.
But, you’ll need high quality noise reducing headphones to avoid ear damage.
However, this doesn’t mean it has to be dull! Due to Bluetooth everywhere you can pair up with a dual hearing protector and phone-connected headset.
An then use these later to mow the lawn…
Buying Guide
- The highly popular 3M Worktunes feature easy phone integration for Bluetooth music and calls.
- But for no-frills the old standard, high NRR MPOW In-ear are a budget option.
Learn more about woodworking hearing protection in our guide.
16. Holesaw kit for plumbing lines
Overview
Every kitchen or bath installation involves drilling a few well placed 1-3″ holes in the cabinets for plumbing hot/cold water supplies, waste return lines, and dishwasher hoses. Â
While you can saw these holes, I prefer to take a few extra minutes and locate the holes and then use a slightly larger hole-saw.
A few things to look for:
- Variety of hole saws up to 4″
- Quality of the mandrel
- Depth of the hole saw for thicker material
Fortunately, most hole saw needs in cabinets are for thin material up to 3/4″. So, no need to break the bank on a cabinetmaker-grade set of hole saws.
Buying Guide
- The TACK Life hole saws a great start set and budget option.
- But for a lifetime of use consider the Milwaukee Ice Hardened hole saws.
17. Cabinet Moving Straps and Dolly
Overview
Don’t forget the first part of installing cabinets is getting them in the room.
And for a DIY installation that can mean a heavy lift of bulky cabinet boxes.
So, why not take a page from appliance movers and prepare ahead with shoulder straps designed to redistribute the load and prevent injury?
Buying Guide
- These simple Shoulder Straps are an economical way to move your cabinets from the truck or garage to the kitchen.
- Have a lot of stairs? Perhaps a ROVSUN Stair Climbing Dolly will help with short to long flights of stairs.
18. Wood scribe for filler strips and counter scribing
Overview
So connecting flat cabinets to each other is simplified with clamps and screws.
But how do you match a flat cabinet to a curved wall?
With a wood scribe, of course.
Cabinet to wall filler strip installation is a combination of skill and tools. And typically requires a belt sander and a wood scribe.
Buying Guide
With a very (very) steady hand you can try to scribe by hand.
But I recommend one of these scribes instead:
- The Profiler+ Scribing Tool is a highly versatile scribe that can do rough wall or smooth wall to floor or cabinet scribes.
- But for a budget, the ingenious FastCap Accuscribe Â
19. Color putty to magically hide nail holes
Overview
I haven’t installed a kitchen I didn’t use Color Putty on.
Due to it’s plyable, finger friendly application it can be applied anywhere. And with the ability to mix colors to customize to your project it is the ultimate in versatile.
Wondering where you’d use it? Well, crown molding nails, face frame gaps, toe kick, base shoe and any other nail or crack can be quickly made invisible.
Buying Guide
- Color Putty Pack is my preferred putty for concealing nail holes and small gaps in trim and between cabinets.
20. Portable shop vac to cleanup wood chips and dust
Overview
At the end of every cabinet installation there is a mess. Â
As you can guess, dust from the saws, wood chips from drilling holes in the cabinets, and drywall dust from any minor wall modifications are all over. Since you’ll need to get into small spaces all over the kitchen a compact vacuum is a time saver.
Best of all this doesn’t have to be just on of your cabinet installation tools – it’s versatile for your workshop as well to cleanup dust around and in your power tools.
The alternative? A shop vac or a vacuum that wasn’t made for dust and chips (and one I’d get in trouble using…).
Buying Guide
- If you’ve invested in the Dewalt 20V line-up of tools the Dewalt Vacuum is a great place to start.
Best Selling Cabinet Installation Tools
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Frequently Asked Questions for Kitchen Cabinet Installation Tools
What tools are needed to install kitchen cabinets?
While there are many tools required, a cordless drill, miter saw, jigsaw, cabinet jack, cabinet claw and a level are the main tools required.
Can I install kitchen cabinets myself?
Yes but only with the right tools like a cabinet jack or cabinet lift that will allow you to support upper cabinets while in the air.
What screws do I use to hang cabinets?
The standard screw is the GRK Cabinet Screw with a length of 2-1/2″. However specialty screws like the GRK Trim Head are used for connecting face frames.
Types of Kitchen Cabinet Installation Tools
Installing cabinets is a great DIY project.Â
But without planning, following instructions, and having the right tools it can go bad quickly.
So how do you sort out what tools you really need from what’s optional?
Let’s organize your cabinet installation tools into three categories:Â
- Must have: tape measure, miter saw, hole saws, cordless drill, 72″ level, stud finder, jig saw
- Improves quality: cabinet clamp or claw, cabinet jack, laser level, belt sander, trim nailer, wood scribe
- Makes certain tasks easier: hardware jig, crow molding jig, cabinet wedge, pull saw, multi-tool, color putty, shop vac
Cabinet Installation Tools Summary
The right cabinet installation tools are the difference between a good and great installation. Without these tools you’ll find a tendency to cut corners, make mistakes and not complete the job as best you could.
Cabinet Installation Series
Installing cabinets is a journey. Follow our 3 part series for more guides, tools and techniques to complete your project:
