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Tall shaker doors for Ikea Pax

MickJ

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Joined
Aug 31, 2025
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Hi, my son and his girlfriend would like me to make some tall shaker doors for their Ikea Pax wardrobes. (approx 2200mm tall I think).

I'm not very experienced at woodworking but recently made two two cabinets for my records which I was pleased with.

The easiest way would be the glueing method for the stiles and rails but I don't want them bowing or warping, with the glue.
The other proper method would be the best with a groove along the edges of the stiles and rails but I'm worried I'll mess it up as I only have a Makita Trim router.

Then I was thinking if I splashed out and got Medite Tricoya Extreme would I be able to glue without worrying about bowing and warping? I know it's expensive but I want to make sure it's done well.

Or could I use an adhesive which doesn't contain water so preventing the bowing? like a contact adhesive. Or are they likely to bow whatever method I use?

Many thanks
 
Medite Tricoya Extreme is a great pick because it stays put and doesn't soak up moisture easily, which means less warping when you're gluing stuff together. When making tall shaker doors, try using a glue that's not water-based, like PVA or polyurethane, to keep the wood from swelling. If you're not comfortable routing grooves, just grab some pocket screws and glue
 
Yes, tall Shaker-style doors can work very well on IKEA PAX wardrobes, but they usually need to be custom-made to get the proportions right. The key is matching the door height, hinge positions, and thickness so everything lines up properly. Many people also add panel detailing or trim to elevate the look. Using Shaker profiles or panels from Period Mouldings is a good way to achieve a more traditional, built-in finish while still using the PAX carcasses underneath.
 
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