Make and Install Your Own Cabinet Levelers

If You have ever installed a cabinet you have probably used wood shims or cabinet levelers. The practice of using Cabinet levelers is not a new one; In fact it has been around for a while. It is definitely an easier way of leveling a cabinet than using wood shims. After installing a cabinet leveler, the cabinet can be leveled by simply turning the leveler, which moves the height up or down. Although you can purchase a flimsy cabinet leveler for a dollar to three dollars each, a strong leveler can cost up to 15 dollars.

I decided to make my own cabinet levelers that would be strong and only cost about a dollar to make. The best part is I already have the materials on hand.

If you would like further information on this project check out my build video on Youtube.

For the foot of the cabinet, I used an old cutting board made from High Density Polyethylene (HDPE).

I used my drill press and a one inch hole saw to cut out the Foot. I set the stop on the drill press so the hole saw would not pierce completely through the material. Leaving the circles in the board will make the process much easier. You can remove the entire circle in a later step. If I cut the circle completely, the circle foot get stuck in hole saw.

Using a drill press and a hole saw is not the only method that can be used to cut a circle in this material, this is just the method I prefer.

Make as many of these circles as needed, for instance if you need to make 10 levelers cut at least ten circles.

* A heating element is needed for this step. Safety should always be first

*Using a pair of pliers to hold a 5/16 bolt, I used a torch to apply heat to the bolt. Make sure not to overheat the bolt.

*I allowed the bolt to heat up in the flame for three to five seconds. Through trial and error I found any longer than five seconds would create too much heat and completely melt the HDPE rendering the foot useless.

*After the bolt was heated, I placed it on top of the foot and rocked it back and forth until the bolt head melted the HDPE.

* This process creates excess melted material to rise to the top. Using a Flat crew driver, I folded the melted HDPE over the bolt head.

* This ensures the foot will not fall off the bolt.

* Once I made the necessary cabinet levelers, I turned the cutting board over. Using a knife, i completely cut through the foot of the leveler.

After removing all the levelers from the cutting board, I used a drill and a belt sander to clean up the excess HPDE.

The result is a clean look and smooth leveler foot.

*To begin the installation, I drilled a 3/8 hole on the bottom of the cabinet I was installing. The depth of the hole will depend on the length of the bolt you used.

* I tapped a 5/16 T-Nut into place and installed the cabinet leveler by threading it onto the t-nut.

*I placed a level on top of the cabinet and turned the cabinet leveler counter clockwise if more height was needed.

*If less height was desired I turned the cabinet leveler clockwise.