How to Assemble Ulti-Mate Garage Cabinets: A Quick Guide

If you're upgrading your garage with Ulti-Mate Garage Cabinets, assembling them is a straightforward process with the right preparation. These high-quality cabinets come with easy-to-follow printed manuals, and you can also find PDF versions listed in the product descriptions. Additionally, assembly videos are linked on the product pages to provide visual guidance on the process. Here’s what you need to know before getting started.

Tools You’ll Need

Before assembling your cabinets, gather the following tools:

  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Flathead screwdriver
  • Rubber mallet
  • A second pair of hands for larger units

Assembly Overview

Ulti-Mate Garage Cabinets come in various sizes and configurations, but the assembly process follows a similar pattern across all models.

Parts Come Organized in Tackle Boxes

To make assembly even easier, all the necessary hardware and small parts come neatly arranged in tackle boxes. This organization helps keep everything accessible and prevents losing small components during the process.

Connecting the Panels

The cabinets use a cam-locking system, a two-part fastener method that securely connects panels. This cam lock design is popular in RTA (ready-to-assemble) furniture, so you may have seen it before. However, for this garage application, it has been substantially beefed up to provide extra durability and strength.

Here’s how it works:

  1. A metal cam post is inserted into a pre-drilled hole in one panel.
  2. A round cam lock is placed into a corresponding hole in the adjoining panel.
  3. Turning the cam lock clockwise with a screwdriver grips the cam post and pulls the panels together, securing them in place.

This system makes assembly quicker and ensures a strong connection without excessive hardware.

The cabinets are built using a cam-lock and dowel system. Side panels, top and bottom panels, and shelves fit together using wooden dowels for alignment, while cam locks secure them in place.

Installing the Feet

Adjustable legs or feet screw into the bottom of the cabinets. These allow you to level the cabinets on uneven floors, ensuring stability. The feet provide up to 2 inches of adjustment to accommodate variations in floor height.

Using the French Cleat System

Most Ulti-Mate Garage Cabinets include a French cleat mounting system for secure wall installation. The French cleat is made from particle board wood and consists of two interlocking angled pieces:

  1. The wall-mounted cleat is a simple, easy-to-handle board, making it straightforward to level and secure to wall studs.
  2. Once the cleat is securely fastened to the wall, the cabinet-mounted cleat on the back of the cabinet is aligned.
  3. The cabinet is then lifted and slid down the wall until the cleats catch—and that's it, you're done.

For the closet cabinet, the French cleat system can be purchased separately if wall mounting is desired.

Large Cabinets Require Two People

For the largest closet cabinet, having two people is recommended for safe assembly and installation. One person does not need to have any prior experience; they are simply needed to help balance the panel while the other person tightens it.

This cabinet is also assembled on its back, so the second person is essential when standing it upright. They help lift it without putting pressure on the feet at the wrong angle, preventing damage or misalignment.

Attaching the Doors

The last step in the assembly process is attaching the doors. Cabinets should be leveled either with their feet on the ground or hung on the wall with the French cleat before doors are installed. If doors are attached before leveling, you will need to re-adjust them later.

If you are assembling multiple cabinets, it’s best to set them all up without the doors first. Once the entire set of cabinets is arranged and adjusted, attach the doors as the final step. This prevents double work on door adjustments if you need to tweak their alignment.

Additionally, many garage floors are sloped to allow water runoff. Be sure to compensate for this when adjusting the feet to maintain proper cabinet alignment.

Before attaching hardware like handles, remove the protective plastic coating from the doors.

Final Thoughts

Assembling Ulti-Mate Garage Cabinets is a manageable DIY project with the right tools and a little patience. With their sturdy cam-lock construction, adjustable feet, and customizable door alignment, these cabinets will transform your garage into an organized and functional space.

The first cabinet is always the hardest, so take your time and get comfortable with the process. Once you have the hang of it, the rest will go much faster. Happy building!