I am building a smallish chest of drawers, and will need to make 4 drawers of the same size. Each is 22″ wide, 8″ tall, 17.5″ deep. I would appreciate suggestions for the thicknesses of the sides, backs, and bottoms. I am using maple, which I will resaw, and have a jointer and planer, so any thickness is possible. Got a good buy on some rather plain 8/4 hard maple, already dimensioned to 1.75″ so will be using that, including for the bottoms. I will build inset drawers, hand dovetailed in the traditional way.
These drawers will hold heavier clothing, blankets, sweaters, etc. Drawer fronts, and the rest of the chest, is white oak.
Thanks for the help. (BTY, I have been reading Joyce’s encyclopedia, and he did not comment on this that I was able to find.)
Replies
Anything over 1/2" is overkill for the sides and back. The thickness of the front really depends on the cabinet and drawer design you are using. The type of joints and, in the case of divetails, your jig or skill in hand-cutting the joints may also dictate some of the thickness. I personally would use 1/4" maple ply for the drawer bottoms to minimize wood movement.
Doug
1/2" is what I was thinking for the sides, maybe less for the backs. Wondered if I could get away with a bit less, and get 3 cuts out of 1 3/4" stock. But, if I do this, and there is some movement of the wood post-resawing, I will need to reflatten. I have a new bandsaw which is great for resawing, with a carbide blade, so the cutting does not bother me. I haven't yet run tests to determine the exact amount of wood loss caused by the kerf, and then the planing of that cut surface, but my thinking is it is about 1/8". I do need to do this, and will before I cut the good stock. I need to know it anyway.
The dovetails will be handcut, lapped in the front, and through on the backs. Joining the drawer parts is the most fun part of the piece for me. And in this case, I am using one board, resawn and bookmatched, for the drawer fronts, so can make no mistakes.
s4s - I am building 2 solid maple dressers for my grandchildern and I am several days away from resawing curry maple for the drawer fronts - 20 in total. Being brand new to the band saw and resawing, thus far my experience has not been good. I have received some great advise from this forum so I am hopeful that I will have better success next week.
Doug
s4s,
I agree with Doug on the 1/4" plywood for the bottoms. Its going to be so much easier and less prone to cracking.
Since your using such a hard and strong wood like maple I think you could make the sides as thin as 3/8" to 1/2". The items you mentioned are bulky not heavy. A drawer full of Tshirts or sheets would weigh more than a drawer full of blankets and sweaters. But all projects should be designed for strength. You never know when a drawer may be used for junk, books, papers, CD's etc.
Enjoy, Roy
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