Let’s face it: if you’ve ever hand-built a cabinet from scratch, you know the process can feel more like therapy… or torture—depending on how well your measurements and tools behave that day. Somewhere between sanding that last panel and double-checking your door alignment for the fifth time, you’ve probably thought: “There’s got to be a faster way.”
Enter CNC routers—precise, powerful, and increasingly accessible. But if you’re asking yourself, “Am I crazy for wanting to CNC cabinets?”—you’re not alone. It’s a question more woodworkers, shop owners, and DIY die-hards are asking as CNC technology trickles down from industrial giants to garage workshops and small custom shops. So let’s unpack the question and see if you’re crazy… or just ahead of the curve.
Why Cutting Cabinets with a CNC Just Make Sense
Time Is (Literally) Money
Traditional cabinetmaking is labor-intensive. Between measuring, marking, cutting, drilling, edge-banding, assembling, and fixing mistakes, a single cabinet can eat up hours of your day. A CNC router can take your cut list and run with it—cutting, boring, and even labeling parts in minutes with robotic precision.
For a shop owner, this means increased throughput. For a hobbyist, this means more cabinets (or more time for beer).
Precision Without the Pain
Ever cut a 90° panel only to realize it’s 89.3° when you try to assemble it? CNC routers don’t have “off days.” They cut parts exactly as designed, over and over again. That means:
Perfect dadoes and rabbets
Flawless holes for shelf pins and hinges
Tight-fitting joinery that doesn’t need sanding or prayer
When you’re building cabinets—especially kitchens or large-scale installs—this level of precision can save a ton of headaches.
Design Freedom Meets Repeatability
Want to build a full set of shaker-style doors for one client, and euro slab fronts for another? Want them sized exactly for their weird angled walls and IKEA drawer hardware? You can design everything in your favorite CAD/CAM software, generate toolpaths, and let the CNC handle the grunt work.
Repeatable custom work? Now that’s crazy… but in a good way.
But Is It Overkill for Small Shops or DIYers?
Not necessarily. That’s like asking if using a calculator is overkill for math. The biggest misconceptions are:
“CNC is too expensive.”
Prices have dropped dramatically. You can now find reliable, production-grade CNC routers in the $25K–$40K range (or even hobbyist-level machines for under $10K). And when you factor in saved labor hours, material waste, and fewer mistakes, a CNC often pays for itself faster than you’d think.“It’s hard to learn.”
It’s not plug-and-play, but modern CNC software (like VCarve, Fusion 360, or Cabinet Vision) has made the learning curve far less intimidating. Many shops are up and running within weeks. Plus, there are tons of YouTube channels and online forums filled with free education and support.“It’ll replace craftsmanship.”
Wrong. A CNC is a tool—just like a table saw or router. It doesn’t replace your eye for design, your sense of proportion, or your material knowledge. It just takes the repetitive, error-prone tasks off your plate so you can focus on the fun stuff.
The Hybrid Workshop: CNC + Hands-On
The smartest cabinetmakers today are blending CNC automation with traditional skills. They cut panels and drill holes on the CNC, then assemble, sand, and finish by hand. This workflow maximizes efficiency without sacrificing the quality and character that make custom work so appealing.
You’re not losing the soul of your craft—you’re evolving it.
So… Am I Crazy?
No, you’re not crazy. You’re ambitious. You want clean, fast, accurate results without burning through your weekends or hiring a small army. Whether you’re a one-person operation or a growing shop, CNCing cabinets isn’t just smart—it’s quickly becoming the standard.
Just like cordless drills and pocket screws once seemed “cheaty,” CNC is the next logical leap in woodworking. It doesn’t make you less of a woodworker. It just makes you a more efficient one.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Router Revolution
If you’re passionate about building, growing your shop, or just love the idea of cutting a full cabinet job while you grab lunch, CNC is your friend. And no, you’re not crazy for wanting in. You’d be crazy not to.
The Best 'Bang for your Buck' CNC Machines for Cabinet Cutting
Titan Series
A 12HP HSD high-frequency ATC spindle, maintenance-free brushless motors, and a multi-zone vacuum T-slot table make this CNC machine a custom cabinet shop’s dream—delivering power, precision, and hassle-free flexibility.
HDS Series
This CNC machine is perfect for cabinet companies, combining a powerful 12HP ATC spindle, precision servo motors, a 4-zone vacuum table, and easy sheet alignment to deliver fast, accurate, and reliable production of high-quality custom designs.
LC New Generation
For $35,000, this CNC router packs a punch with a 12HP ATC spindle, 4-zone vacuum T-slot table, precision servo motors with ballscrew tech, 8-tool rack, and pop-up pins—making it a powerhouse of speed, accuracy, and ease for any cabinet shop.