finish, the hardware is installed after finishing. The finish is not usually applied to the hardware.

CASEWORK CONSTRUCTION

"Casework" is defined as boxlike components of cabinetwork, normally rectangular. Casework may contain shelves or drawers for storage. Doors or covers are sometimes fitted to enclose the storage space. Examples of casework are bookcases, chests, desks, display cases, and kitchen cabinets. Casework consists of a skeleton frame, face frame, two ends, legs, and the bottom back and top (fig. 5-5).

Skeleton Frames

The skeleton frame is made to fit in the interior of the case. It consists of stiles (vertical members) and rails (horizontal members) only. Panels fitted into the frame are called dust panels. The skeleton frame serves a number of purposes:

It provides a means of fastening the case top to the case and holding the ends together at the top.

Figure 5-5. - Typical case construction.