this post was submitted on 20 Mar 2024
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With no offense intended (because the fault is on the cabinet maker), that's one of the flimsiest looking designs I've seen. In most cases, the face is just a plate attached to the cabinet itself.
As for fixing it, it looks like it was just stapled through the sides. I'd pull the staples and clean up the bits where the face ripped off. Maybe try filling in those parts of the face plate with some wood fill or bondo. Then you can run some glue along the cabinet and glue the face back on. Maybe run some L-brackets and nails/screws into it, too, if it still feels flimsy.
Thank you for the advice. The cabinets are supposedly only 3 years old (came with the house). The particle board on the front side seems too damaged. Would a regular piece of wood work?
Looking at the picture, a regular piece of wood should work as long as the thickness is the same. Otherwise the front will sit a bit proud if thicker, or there will be a gap if thinner. Though you could trim the dado back on the sides if it's thicker. Edit: and make sure to measure size before trying to take it off. Just in case it breaks more.
It looks like that particle board is nailed to the face. Hopefully it isn't glued as well, otherwise it'll be a beast to get off. Those screws are just for the handle and likely have no structural qualities.