Kitchen Base Unit

[Gary0]

Unsure if this is the sort of problem that can find a solution on a national forum or not, or even if this is the right one, but here's hoping.

A few years back I had a local builder do some work for me, which included fitting a kitchen. Recently I had to remove base units to get to pipes behind. The units did not come out well as they had been connected together behind the back plate where I hadn't expected, the connectors being neither visible nor accessible. So the first base unit on the row became broken trying to remove it from beneath the worktop.

I contacted the suppliers of the kitchen to see if they would be willing to supply a replacement carcass. Although they did respond, they said that, that particular style had been discontinued a couple of years ago and so they couldn't help. No suggestions of an alternative similar carcass that I might purchase. (After all I still have the drawer and doors etc.)

I thought it had to be fairly easy to get a replacement anyway, so checked a couple of DIY superstores, plus a couple of kitchen suppliers in the 'local' area, but found nothing suitable. I only have to open the display door and see it all white inside, instead of a medium pine wood effect, to know it's going to stick out like a sore thumb.

Is it not possible to buy an inexpensive and yet reasonable quality 500 mm drawerline kitchen base unit carcass, that might match the existing to a reasonable degree ?

 

[Scrit]

I've just received a couple of sets of swatches form two different MFC (melamine-faced chipboard) manufacturers today and pine is pretty much of a dead duck with each only listing "farmhouse pine", a mid to dark pine colour. So you may struggle to find anyone who can supply a carcass unless it is old stock. Have you thought about going to either another woodgrain (for example beech which is currently popular) or a colour (such as magnolia/cream) if you can't get a match? Supplying 500mm drawerline carcasses isn't a problem - it's the pine that is your problem.

Scrit

 

[RichA]

I recently purchased two carcasses ( I had the doorsd & drawers) from:

www.withknobson.co.uk

They were very ameniable to a bespoke order. I wanted a 420mm width unit and this was specially ordered for me.

They also supply in a number of colours (including an antique pine).

Delivery charges (from Sunderland) are quite high for a special delivery but they agreed to 'piggy-back' my delivery on the back of another heading towards London.

I thought prices were reasonable compared to Sheds, etc.

 

[Gary0]

Thanks for the responses.

The original carcass is fairly dark for a pine I only know it's pine because the catalogue said that is what the 'Phoenix' style is (was). Otherwise I'd have thought it was more of an oak ; mid brown. Maybe they weren't too fussed having a separate carcase to match each door type. It's 15mm melamine covered chipboard.

If the shade was approximately right it'd probably pass. Trouble is, of course, it's difficult to tell what it really looks like when it's not in front of you to look at.

P&P can be prohibitive for any appreciable distance. One's less concerned if it's a small percentage of, say, a large order, like a whole kitchen, but for a single pack ? Maybe it's me being tight-fisted but I baulk at £25 or more on top of the item price for something I'd be happy to collect locally in the car, if it were available, But it may be the only way I guess.

For what it's worth, the original came from Maurice Lay ; the DIY stores I checked out without success were Jewsons and B&Q ; and the suppliers I visited, Magnet and MFI.

Withknobson looks an interesting site, seems a rather better standard though, with it's 18mm width. May not be a problem, but it might though. It'd probably mean I'd need to replace the existing drawer as it'd have 6mm less internal width. I'll spend a little time looking at the site, thanks for the suggestion ; see if I spot anything at a suitable price.

Cheers

 

[Scrit]

It'd probably mean I'd need to replace the existing drawer as it'd have 6mm less internal width.

It's not that difficult to resize drawers. Many are either a four piece wrap with mitred corners (you need a table saw to do those) or (better) Metabox types with steel sides - they just need the back and base trimming by 6mm and the holes in the drawer front moving. What type are your drawers? You mayneed to replace your door hinges as they may noy have the right offset to work with a thicker carcass.

Scrit

 

[Gary0]

Good point.

I won't be back to check details until Saturday, but from memory they are fairly light construction with only the front being that impressive. Plastic sides and back, plastic wheels. Metal runners on the carcasses, but thinner drawer base. Can't recall if base is covered chipboard or something less.

By the way, are all carcasses chipboard ? I've just realised that the catalogue description mentions solid pine, but maybe that only referred to the doors/front. Wasn't how I read it at the time though. Hmmm....

 

[Scrit]

Hi Gary

Almost all kitchen carcasses made in the UK are MFC (melamine faced chipboard). Some of the more specialised kitchen makers use lacquered birch ply and there's now a couple of firms importing "solid wood" carcasses from China (in reality they are strips of timber glued to form planks, but otherwise addembled in much the same way as MFC with cam and dowel fasteners). MFC has proven itself to be relatively durable in kitchens over the last 50 years or so at reasonable cost, so I can't see things changing in a hurry. The only major differences in MFC carcasses are thickness, 15mm or 18mm, and joiners, cam and dowel or glued dowels. Personally I reckon glued dowels are a lot stronger that cam and dowel, but the downside is that you can't transport them flatpack. I've made the birch plywood carcasses but they don't really impress me because sheets of birch ply are never flat - MFC always is dead flat and so much easier to make accurate carcasses. It also survives periodic soakings better than other materials used.

Scrit

 

[Gary0]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Gary0]

I may try again, but am a little put out by "knobs on" not replying to my query. Anyone any other suggestions ?

I tried "Googling" for sites, all I seem to see are companies that want to fit kitchens, none seem to specify that they are willing to supply carcass only. I'll try again this evening; surely there is someone selling them out there, somewhere ?

 

[RichA]

Give them a call. My experience (for my two carcasses) was that they may need some chasing.

But as you say there are very few suppliers happy to sell just a couple of carcases (rather than a full kitchen order with doors, etc).

And they were able to customise my cabinets (I wanted mine a non standard size [42 cm wide]). Might be able to do something for you too.

Once chased I was happy with the result.

Wish you luck.

 

[Gary0]

Just got off the phone to WKO. First thing I was told, after I explained the problem, was that it would be expensive for one-offs. I was under the impression they sold flat packs. Apparently not. They do rigid units only, and use their own transport from Wigan at £1 a mile.

The AA site tells me that Wigan is 172.2 miles away, so that's a p&p of £173 before anything else. (And I'd have other problems with a rigid carcass delivery.)

It was a brave try but ...

 

[RichA]

No worries.

For the record, my 2 units were delivered to London for £65 as I was prepared to wait a couple of weeks until they were doing a delivery in this direction. I just paid the onward costs.

 

[Gary0]

Just to end this one.

For reasons inexplicable (other than I was there anyway and decided to check again) I discovered B&Q do actually have a few styles with a wood effect inside (rather than the less attractive white or cream). And they were willing to sell a single carcass.

So problem solved, I hope I await delivery soon.