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  • Modern Cabinetmaking, 7th Edition

Modern Cabinetmaking, 7th Edition

• Comprehensive guide to modern cabinetmaking and woodworking practices.
• Step-by-step instruction for design, fabrication, installation, and finishing.
• Digital resources include videos, activities, and virtual toolbox tools.

Instructors and Administrators: Call 800.323.0440 to order now; receive delivery in time for January classes.

Title Overview

Title Overview

Modern Cabinetmaking offers a complete solution for cabinetmaking and woodworking courses, focusing on the information, techniques, processes, and procedures used by professional cabinetmakers and novice woodworkers. This revised edition covers the industry, design and layout, materials, machining processes, fabrication and installation, and finishing. While preserving important information on traditional techniques, the authors have updated the content to the latest in technology, materials, and processes. The text follows the logical order of the design and construction process, beginning with an industry overview and chapters covering careers, industrial organizations, and instruction on preparing sketches, drawings, and procedural plans. With strong coverage of the materials and processes affecting the quality of final products, the text helps students learn the how, what, why, and when of selecting the appropriate materials whether they are fine hardwoods, softwoods, manufactured panel products, plastics, glass, or other composite materials. Selection of hardware, abrasives, adhesives, and finishing supplies are also discussed in detail.

The text also includes procedures and techniques used in fine cabinetmaking and furniture making, and the use of hand and power tools and machines is thoroughly covered. Digital users have access to online textbook and lab workbook, Career Profile videos, See It In Action videos, Understanding Measurement Tools videos, a Virtual Toolbox, and interactive activities.

  • The text and lab workbook correlate to the Woodwork Career Alliance (WCA) industry credentialing standards.
  • Special features include Career Profiles, Green Notes, Trade Tips, Procedures, Safety Notes, and Workplace Skills.
  • Step-by-step procedures throughout the text guide students with clear instructions for hands-on service activities.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Section 1: Industry Overview
Section 2: Design and Layout
Section 3: Materials
Section 4: Machining Processes
Section 5: Fabrication and Installation
Section 6: Finishing

Instructor Resources

Instructor Resources

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  • Lesson Plans and Activities Experienced teachers have developed detailed lesson plans and creative activities to accompany the textbooks. There's no need to spend days recreating your courses—they have done it for you!

  • PowerPoint® Presentations Editable slides for each chapter engage a variety of learning styles, improve student focus, encourage discussion, and provide visual impact.

  • Workbooks Creative workbook activities inspire students to review and apply concepts.

  • Interactive Content Additional interactive content including flash cards, animations, and interactive activities enhance the learning experience.

  • Assessments: The new cloud-based G-W Assessment platform allows you to create, customize, assign, and print prebuilt questions and tests. No more downloads, uploads, or imports needed! Integrate it with your LMS for autograded assignments, advanced reporting, and scores that flow into your gradebook.

Look Inside

Look Inside

The Look Inside is for preview purposes only. The format of the actual product may vary from the image shown.

Standards and Correlations

About the Author

About the Author

Patrick A. Molzahn

is a Faculty Emeritus at Madison College, located in Madison, Wisconsin, where he served as director of the Cabinetmaking and Millwork program from 2000-2023. Prior to his career in education, Mr. Molzahn ran his own woodworking business for several years. A graduate of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he received degrees in both fine arts and architecture. After beginning his career working for an architectural firm in Chicago, Patrick and his wife moved to Japan where they researched Japanese art and architecture during their three-year stay.


Believing that if you can build a boat, you can build anything, Patrick returned to the United States to study traditional wooden boat building at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding in Washington State. Upon completing the program, he moved to the Madison area to set up his own shop, specializing in architectural millwork and custom furniture. Over the past five decades, he has traveled around the world researching how other cultures train their woodworkers.


As a founding board member of the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America, he helped author hundreds of standards on the operation of woodworking equipment. In 2018, he became the first individual to earn the WCA's highest honor, the Diamond Credential. Patrick is the author of the fifth, sixth, and seventh editions of Modern Cabinetmaking. His writings have appeared in numerous publications, including Woodshop News, Fine Woodworking, and Fine Homebuilding. He was a contributing editor to the Architectural Woodwork Institute's ANSI Standards. An avid hiker, Patrick has explored trails on six continents, with his most recent journeys taking him to Patagonia, Everest Base Camp, and the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.


Mr. Zachary L. DeWerd

is a full-time Cabinetmaking and Millwork instructor and curriculum developer at Madison College located in Madison, Wisconsin. He guides students in developing skills ranging from fundamental woodworking techniques to designing, crafting, and installing custom furniture and cabinetry.


Zachary received a diploma in Cabinetmaking and Millwork from Madison College, complemented by an associate's degree from Life Pacific University in San Dimas, California. At Madison College, he studied under the mentorship of Patrick Molzahn, the coauthor of this text, gaining a deep passion for craftsmanship and design.


Zachary began his professional career in a small cabinet shop, working closely with clients across southern Wisconsin to build and install custom furniture and cabinetry. During this time, he gained expertise in kitchen and bath remodels and finish carpentry. He later returned to Madison College as the Cabinetmaking program's senior lab coordinator before transitioning into his current instructor role. Zachary believes cabinetmaking is more than a trade; it is an art form. This philosophy carries into his classroom, encouraging new woodworkers to pursue their creative ideas. Outside of teaching, Zachary is a father of three young children. He spends his time with family and welcomes every adventure.


William D. Umstattd was an Emeritus Associate Professor of Technology Education from The Ohio State University. He received his Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in Industrial Arts from Central Missouri State University, his Master of Arts degree with major emphasis in Education from the University of Northern Colorado, and his Doctor of Education degree in Industrial Education from Texas A&M University. Dr. Umstattd had thirty-six years of experience in the education field. He also served as a manuscript reviewer and assistant editor for trade journals and worked as a technical writer, preparing customer instructional manuals. Dr. Umstattd did committee work for, served on the board of directors of, and received a leadership award from the International Technology Education Association. He did committee work for and received an honorary life membership to the Council on Technology Teacher Education. He served as executive director and received a distinguished service award, a laureate award, and life membership from the Ohio Technology Education Association. He was a member of and received a distinguished service award and laureate citation from the Epsilon Pi Tau educational fraternity.

Course Content

Course Content

What Educators Are Saying

QuoteIt is one of the best texts covering woodworking that I have used. Quote

Clark Chesbro, Buffalo High School, WY

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FAQs

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