Best Lee Valley Veritas 32 Cabinetmaking System

A person with moderate skills, using the Veritas 32 cabinetmaking system, can build a complete set of kitchen cupboards using an electric drill, a table saw, some clamps and basic hand tools. The system can also be used for freestanding wardrobes, entertainment centers, bookcases and a variety of built-ins.

Virtually all good kitchen hardware today is based on European designs developed after WWII. A cabinetmaking system was developed that used standard drill sizes of 5mm and 8mm and standard hole spacing of 32mm (about 1 1/4″) for dowels, shelf supports, drawer slides and hinges. With frameless construction (vs. the North American face frame construction), the system is a series of boxes with standard components — left and right panels are interchangeable, as are tops and bottoms. Because the hole pattern is designed to fit various fittings, the unit can be converted at any time from one configuration to another and allow for last-minute changes when you are building. With the Veritas 32 system, all holes are measured with consistent 32mm spacing and all in reference to the sides and ends of the panels. The gauge head has both metric and Imperial graduations to make settings easy. Although materials and cutting measurements can be either metric or Imperial, we recommend using metric for the design and construction stage to reduce rounding errors.

In high-production use, metric measurement is used because only three basic panels are needed, all of which are “balanced”. Balance simply means that the panel is symmetrical. It may be flipped end for end or back to front without a change in the hole pattern, so that left and right panels are completely interchangeable, as are top and bottom panels. Our instructions detail the method for making balanced, half-balanced and standard panels.

After cutting all panels, tape or apply edging to exposed edges. Place the jig on a side panel and, depending on which system you choose, set the rail(s) 37mm in from each edge (the standard inset distance for all European hardware) and clamp into place. The system holes (vertical holes for screws, inserts, shelf supports or hinges) and the construction holes (horizontal holes bored to accept dowels) can then be drilled. The bush carrier straddles the rail, with the selected bushing in the hole in the rail where the first hole is to be drilled. Drill as required, according to your design. The dowelling jig bases allow for drilling of dowel holes in the ends of the top and bottom panels. Assemble the case. The dowels make it easy to maintain squareness in assembly.

We offer a basic jig and individually sold components for those who would prefer to build their complete system over time, or who want only a single rail model. We also offer a deluxe system, which includes all but the extra-long rods.

The Basic Veritas 32 System includes one rail with fixing screws, two regular-length rods (for work up to 12″ wide), two clamp heads and two tails, a bush carrier with 5, 8 and 10mm bushings, a 3/32″ soft bushing, a hex key, and a register pin.

The Deluxe Veritas 32 System includes all the items in the Basic System, plus two extra rails, two long rods (for work up to 24″ wide), a gauge head, dowelling jig bases, connector rods and plate, and an extra register pin.

The included instruction booklet provides details on the Veritas 32 system’s various uses and the basic procedures for making a cabinet from particleboard. The same system would apply for solid-wood panels or plywood. The booklet is also available separately.

Made in Canada. Patented.