The Time Advantage of Using CNC Machines for Cabinets

When it comes to cabinet making, time is often more than money; it’s reputation, deadlines, and your ability to take on more work. From running a one-person shop to managing a full production floor, speed and accuracy are the name of the game. 

Compared to traditional methods, CNC routers drastically reduce production time while increasing precision and repeatability. But just how much time can you save, and what does that mean for your bottom line?

Let’s break it down.

Traditional Methods vs. CNC: A Side-by-Side Look

Here’s a comparison of key factors that affect how long it takes to build cabinets using hand tools versus CNC machining:

How Long Does CNC Machining Take for Cabinets?

The time it takes to complete a project using a CNC machine depends on a few things: your design complexity, material choice, and machine setup. To make things simple, here’s a general breakdown:

• Simple base or wall cabinets: 5 to 15 minutes per cabinet.

• Detailed cabinet runs (with drawer boxes, shelves, etc.): 1 to 3 hours.

• Full kitchens: As little as one day of machine time.

Keep in mind that the machine is running on its own most of the time. Once your toolpaths are programmed and your sheet goods are loaded, the CNC takes care of the rest—cutting parts, boring shelf pins, carving out dado joints, and even engraving part numbers.

In contrast, the same kitchen using traditional methods could take a team several days to lay out, cut, and prep, especially if accuracy and finish quality are non-negotiable (and in most cases, they should be).

Real-World Time Savings

If you’re still building by hand, imagine how much faster a project could move with CNC. 

Comparing the time differences side by side makes the benefits clear. Let’s say you’re building a 10-cabinet kitchen.

Total Production Time:

• Traditional: 5–7 working days

• CNC: 1–2 working days

And look, hand-building cabinets is a great skill to have and perfect, but it takes time. Every joint, cut, and measurement relies on manual labor and precision, which slows the process. 

Even small mistakes can add hours or days to rework.

If you’re just building cabinets for yourself, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to make them by hand. But when you’re tasked with a full cabinet set for your customers, you and they will benefit from CNC-made cabinets.

Beyond Time: Other Advantages That Compound

However, speed is only part of the story. A CNC router also:

• Reduces costly rework: Perfect cuts every time

• Opens up new design options: Curved moldings, inlays, custom MDF doors

• Improves team efficiency: Lets skilled builders focus on assembly and finish work.

• Minimizes material waste: Smart nesting saves on every sheet of plywood

All of these translate to a more streamlined operation and happier customers on the other end.

Who CNC Cabinet Making Is For

The best part about CNC machines is that they aren’t just for massive factories or high-volume shops. They’re a powerful tool for:

• Small cabinet shops looking to scale without hiring more hands benefit from the repeatability and efficiency of CNC. It automates the grunt work, freeing up your time for design, finishing, or more profitable tasks. Many shops start with a CNC machine nowadays to stay competitive.

• Custom woodworkers can expand their capabilities far beyond the basics. Think precision-cut MDF doors, crisp dovetail drawers, curved moldings, and decorative inlays — all done faster and more consistently than hand tools allow. You still get the hands-on creative control, but now you can execute complex designs at scale.

• Production shops chasing tighter turnaround times gain a serious edge. With CNC, you can knock out bulk orders faster, with fewer mistakes and less material waste, keeping clients happy and costs down.

• Remodelers and contractors managing full kitchen or bath installs know how valuable precision and repeatability are when working across multiple units or homes. CNC delivers parts that fit right the first time, cutting down installation time and callbacks.

If you’re finding that most of your day is spent measuring, prepping, or fixing mistakes — or if you’ve had to turn away jobs because your current setup can’t keep up  — a CNC machine could shift the entire pace of your workflow.

What’s Time Worth in Your Shop?

Switching from hand tools to a CNC machine means staying competitive, taking back your time, getting more creative with your designs, and cranking out high-quality cabinets faster — without cutting corners.

So, if you’ve ever wondered, “How long does CNC machining take?” the answer is simple: less time than you’re spending now. And with some up-front investment, that time savings pays off job after job.

Check out ShopSabre’s best CNC machines for cabinets here.

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