Advice on assembling the "offset" bottom of a wall cabinet

[Jeff Welsh]

Hi,

I'm about to build my first wall cabinet, using 3/4 plywood for the box and 1x2s for the face frame. Everything will be assembled using pocket hole joinery. I've attached a basic image of what the cabinet box will look like.

I'm planning to have the face frame flush with the outside of the top and sides of the cabinet box (overlaps on the inside of the box), and flush with the inside of the bottom of the cabinet box (overlap on the outside of the box). I believe this is common cabinet design, and it matches the cabinets in our house.

I'm trying to determine the best way to assemble the bottom of the cabinet box with a 3/4" offset. If the pocket holes were on the inside, I'd simply set the bottom on another piece of 3/4" stock and then drive the screws into the sides, but the holes will be on the outside of the box. Right now i'm thinking about gluing the bottom in place, using a piece of stock to get the 3/4"  spacing, and then flipping it over when the glue is dry and driving the pocket hole screws.

I'm not sure if that's a good method, so I'm wondering if anyone has advice on how to best assemble the bottom of my cabinet box? Thanks for your help!

[Mitchell Collinsworth]

Hello. I would drill pockets into the bottom side and use a combination square to set the depth. I am thinking you might also clamp a 6 inch piece of 3/4 to the sides as a spacer right in the middle. Since the picket holes should be 2 to 3 inches from the edge you should be able to still drive them in. I always have a 1/4 inch overlap of the face frame on the sides in case the wall is not square. Makes lining up the cabinets easier for me.