Table of Contents
What wood should I use to build a drawer?
Poplar is a great all-around choice for drawer box construction. It is stable, durable, and much less expensive than most hardwoods. The color of poplar heartwood ranges from a creamy white to a yellowish tan or brown. It is very easy to work with and has straight, uniform grain.
Is MDF good for making drawers?
MDF is an abbreviation for medium-density fiberboard, which is a type of wood particle boards. MDF sheets are not the same as chipboard or plywood. The reason why MDF is an ideal choice for drawer-building is because it cuts and sands well.
How thick should Plywood be for drawers?
Plywood for most drawers is 1/4 inch thick but can be 1/2 inch thick on large drawers. You can find these materials in many different types of hardwood so that one or both of the outer veneers can match your drawer boxes and/or fronts.
Can you make drawers out of plywood?
This makes plywood an excellent choice for furniture building, including building the drawers which go in many types of furniture: cabinets, dressers, tables, etc. The dimensional stability of plywood means that the sides of the drawer won’t expand in humid weather.
Is Pine Good for drawers?
Pine is often used as a secondary wood on period pieces. If you dovetail it, the dovetails will prevent cupping. The only problem with the pine is that it wears out on the bottom of the drawer from opening and closing, but this takes a long time and a lot of use. Make sure the pine is kiln dried.
How thick should a drawer bottom be?
Drawers are typically made with matching plywood bottoms. Plywood for drawer bottoms is available in 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ thickness. 3/8″ thick plywood is the best overall thickness for drawer bottoms and is available for Maple, Birch, Beech, Cherry, and Walnut.
How thick should drawer sides be?
Drawer box side thickness should be at least 1/2″ but if you can find 5/8″ plywood your boxes will be stronger. Unless you’re building large drawer boxes for very heavy items or large file drawers 3/4″ sides won’t be necessary.
What material is best for drawers?
“While solid wood is premium for drawer front and sides, plywood is a better choice for the bottom section of a drawer because it won’t shrink or swell,” Kayer says. Other common drawer materials include metal and manufactured melamine. Most slides operate with plastic or metal ball bearings.
What are dresser drawer bottoms made of?
The most common materials for drawer bottoms are 1⁄4” hardboard or plywood. For small and medium-size drawers, hardboard will stand up to a moderate amount of weight. For a heavier load, you can step up to plywood. Baltic birch plywood is a great choice.
What is poplar plywood?
A: Poplar plywood may be classified as both hardwood and softwood, depending on the species and the manufacturer’s literature. Overall, poplar plywood’s weight includes the weight of the wood itself, the weight of any moisture in the wood, and the weight of the adhesive that holds the layers of wood together.
Can you make drawers without slides?
Other contemporary cabinetmakers install them simply because of the desire to build everything by hand. If you’re building a replica, or just want to experience building and installing a drawers without slides, do it the old-fashioned way with a wooden brace instead of a slide to support the drawer.
What is a dovetail drawer?
A “dovetail” drawer refers to the specific construction of the drawer; a dovetail joint is used to securely join the drawer side and the drawer front together. Once glued, a wooden dovetail joint requires no mechanical fasteners (it’s easier to see on the video than to explain)May 23, 2013.
How do you reinforce the bottom of a drawer?
Cut a small block of solid wood or plywood to 3/8 inch thick X 2 inches wide X 4 inches long and glue it to the underside of the drawer bottom. Allow the glue to cure overnight. Next, flip the drawer right-side up and fasten a 1 ½ X 1 ½-inch metal corner brace to the rear center of the drawer.
Should you glue drawer bottoms?
This is avoided. – Gluing in the panel takes out ratteling. – If the bottom fails or is damaged (spilling paint or solvent into it for instance), it would be a lot easyer to replace, since you wouldn’t have to brake the drawer sides apart. – The glued bottom would assist more in holding the drawer square.
How do you make a drawer without dovetails?
Dowel Joints One of the very best ways to build a drawer without dovetails is a dowel joint. The dowel joint offers much of the strength and durability of the dovetail and still has an attractive look. A dowel joint is made by drilling holes through the sides of the drawer box into the edges of the front and back.
How many board feet make a dresser?
What you can expect from this package: Enough kiln-dried lumber to build one chest of drawers (approx: 75 board feet).
Is it cheaper to build or buy cabinets?
Keep in mind, that the labor for building cabinets, accounts for 75% of the total price. This is why building them can be less expensive. However, you must be able to complete your project on your own, or with free help, to save money. Otherwise, you could be better off buying them.
What is frameless cabinet construction?
In frameless cabinet construction, the door and drawer faces are nearly the same size as the cabinet box, leaving only the smallest portion visible. These offer a streamlined appearance and must be very carefully installed to ensure the doors and drawer fronts do not bind into adjacent cabinetry or walls.
