Replies

1. 
   Westchester | May 07, 2012 07:27pm | #1

   Support

   I would think you're OK with 3/16 - nailed and glued.  1/2 inch  bottom is a little overkill ?  What is the width of the biggest drawer ?

   SA

1. 
   jimmiem | May 07, 2012 09:15pm | #2

   Support

   They're for the kitchen and will be used for pots and pans and canned goods.  I'd rather over build and not worry about sagging.  I figure that 3/16" worth of edge support will be ok too.  I'm just trying to figure  out the the engineering/physics of the edge support.  I've seen articles that fixed shelves can be installed in shallower dados than adjustable shelves.     

1. 
   Westchester | May 08, 2012 06:56am | #3

   You have it right !

   those drawers will be around longer than us - 

   SA

1. 
   jimmiem | May 08, 2012 07:41am | #4

   Drawer Bottoms

   Unless my wife wants the whole kitchen redone after I get these installed. 

2. 
   hammer1 | May 08, 2012 08:18am | #5

   You can always add some glue blocks which is common.

   
1. 
   jimmiem | May 08, 2012 08:57am | #6

   Glue Blocks

   Good idea.  Thank You.  These will last 2 lifetimes.

2. 
   Westchester | May 08, 2012 12:11pm | #7

   Clamps

   Some fancy clamps you have there - did you make them ? 

   SA

1. 
   hammer1 | May 08, 2012 01:05pm | #8

   Those are manufactured spring miter clamps. There are several different brands. They usually come in a set with a special pair of pliers to open and place the clamps. Some come with no-mar ends that can be removed. I'm a  bit hesitant to recommend them. The points leave marks and with much pressure, they can be large. The suction cups often slip and they can leave marks, too. There are some uses where they come in handy as long as you don't need a lot of pressure, marks aren't an issue and you have room to position the pliers. They were fine in the picture, especially since they can pull on an angle, are small and light weight. Can't have enough clamps and different types!

   http://www.amazon.com/Maestro-M1201-Clamp-All-Clamp-Set/dp/B000067S1A/ref=pd_cp_hi_0/178-8755442-4651746

1. 
   Westchester | May 08, 2012 03:57pm | #9

   Clamps

   Yes 100 or more clamps are about right - years ago I bought 5 spring clamps with teeth from Constantines - haven't seen them for sale since  -

   SA

   
3. 
   brownman | May 09, 2012 02:53am | #10

   Last time I made a drawer with a half inch bottom was about 14 inches deep and twenty four inchs square. I loaded it with steel clamps and put on two sets of hundred pound rated ball bearing slides. Way overkill for any kitchen  drawer bottom,even for pots and pans.

1. 
   jimmiem | May 09, 2012 07:27am | #11

   Drawer Bottoms

   Thank You for the reply and advice.  The 1/2" ply is inexpensive enough and I have a tendency to over do it on materials when the project is labor intensive.  Captured drawer bottoms probably aren't necessary either....the articles say to leave the back edge un-captured in case the bottom has to be removed for repair.  I also considered 1/2" ply for the front, back and sides but then I see high end drawers and they're 3/4".....decisions, decisions.....I'm still wondering if my 1/2" inch bottoms with 3/16" of support in the grooves/dadoes is enough. 

1. 
   Westchester | May 09, 2012 07:34am | #12

   Support

   Jim - 3/16th's is enough because you're nailing and gluing as well.  Think of the 3/16th's support and dado as a way to square up the drawer when assembing - not for weight bearing purposes -

   SA

1. 
   jimmiem | May 09, 2012 08:15am | #13

   Drawer Bottom Support

   The dado/groove depth is 5/16".  I mistakenly cut the drawer bottoms a little short and they only go into the dado/groove 3/16"  so they won't be much help in squaring the drawer.  I use biscuits to attach the front and back to the sides so alignment and squaring isn't really a problem. I guess you could say that these bottoms have plenty of room to float.  I was just going to shoot in some brads to make sure they don't float out of a dado/groove. Under this scenario, i.e. no glue or nails do you still think 3/16" is enough edge support?