Replies

1. 
   bd | Mar 23, 2008 01:31pm | #1

   I'd go w/ the ply on that & forget about trying to reinforce the MDF. This shelf "sagulator" calculator might give you some ballpark answers on that just to get you in the ballpark.

   http://www.woodbin.com/calcs/sagulator.htm

1. 
   BriMcG | Mar 24, 2008 07:38am | #4

   Hey Thanks bd! Ran the numbers and came back OK. I've even decided on a differant design which will make it even stiffer.

   Saved the Sagulator too. Great resource!

   Thx again, Brian

2. 
   KeithNewton | Mar 23, 2008 01:52pm | #2

   If it is captive all of the way around, it shouldn't sag too badly. It only gets to be a problem if it sags so much that it drags on the drawer front below, or the cross-rail of the cabinet. The way to beat that, is to just give a little more room under the drawer, if you expect it.

   I usually jump on up to 1/2" pw. when they start getting about this wide, if they are likely to be heavily loaded, like for pots and pans, but for this utility cabinet, I think you should be fine with 1/2" mdf.

1. 
   BriMcG | Mar 24, 2008 07:32am | #3

   Thanks Keith,

   Picked up the MDF today. I have worked with it before but not much. Forgot how heavy and messy it is. It'll make a good utility cabinet though I hope.

   Thx again, Brian

3. 
   blewcrowe | Mar 24, 2008 05:27pm | #5

   Might be a long stretch if you're putting heavy tools in it. You can attack this monkey from three directions .....

   1. Use hardwood instead, like qs white oak: great resistance to bending
   2. Provided you've got room, glue some hardwood strips underneath the mdf
   3. Provided you don't have an issue with it (lot to think about) you can run a hardwood strip across the top (yes, top) of the drawer, and from this, suspend a brace down to the floor of the drawer (the mdf) at the dead center point. This is harder to explain than to do.
1. 
   BriMcG | Mar 25, 2008 05:05am | #7

   Thanks BC,

   Well I built the carcass today but came down a bit in dimensions on the drawers which will be 20" wide and 22" deep which, according to the Sagulator" (check link), I will be OK. http://www.woodbin.com/calcs/sagulator.htm

   I built it so I have an enclosed shelf on top (enclosed on sides and open in front and back) where I can easily place the Osborne and also slide my fence in comfortably.

   Now I get to do the things I have some trepidation over, not having much success at so far. Build quality drawers and figure out which drawer slides (glides?) to use. Saw a video on Wood mags site that makes building the drawers and installing the slides look fairly easy but I'm good at screwing it up hence the trepidation. I'm also going to install a face frame which I have never done but am waiting on a pocket hole jig to arrive in the mail.

    

   I know, I think, that I have to plan the drawers to be not as wide as the opening by twice the thickness of the slides. If the drawers are 22" deep should I get 22" slides or 20"? Am going to be building the drawers as overlay drawers ( think that's the right term, where the front covers the opening and extends a bit past the faceframe).

   Boy have I got a lot to learn.

   Thanks again.

   Brian

    

   Edited 3/24/2008 10:09 pm ET by BriMcG

1. 
   blewcrowe | Mar 25, 2008 02:31pm | #10

   You got me. Danged drawer slides set my head in a confusion every time.

1. 
   BriMcG | Mar 25, 2008 09:42pm | #11

   Good to know I'm not alone! I'll get it.

   Thanks BC,

   Brian

4. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Mar 24, 2008 09:38pm | #6

   Agree with BC on his #2 solution if you are going to put in any major weight in it. Make the drawers 5/8" deeper and add a hard-wood strip from front to rear down the center under-neath. I just finished 6 chest drawers and that is my method as I don't trust the 1/4" ply I use for bottoms.

   But.. in my case it kills two birds with one stone. I also DT that support strip with a female DT to act as a guide for a male DT strip in the carcass of the cabinet itself.

   If the drawer will only have light stuff and you're sure... it may be find as a stand-alone..

   Regards...

   Sarge..

1. 
   BriMcG | Mar 25, 2008 05:08am | #8

   Thanks Sarge,

   As you can tell from my reply to BC it's all coming along but this rookie is climbing what feels like a steep learning curve.

   Have you ever checked out the "Sagulator"? Learned of it yesterday here. Pretty cool.

   Thanks again.

   http://www.woodbin.com/calcs/sagulator.htm

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Mar 25, 2008 06:09am | #9

   I have not, Brian. I have a feeling the Sagulator wasn't around when I built my first drawer. I generally build my own slides (I suppose that is always compared to generally) and after all these years, just kind of  know what thicknesses to use for bottoms and sides from having done it. Lots of trial an error those first 4-5 years with much as not much had been written and no inter-net. And here in the States.. there was no apprentice-ship on an established agenda as elsewhere.

   I could have probably used the Sagulator from 1972 until around 1978 as those were some trying years for me as you are going through now. But it will come to you in a short time just as easily as operating a clutch.. shifting.. and right foot coordinated on the gas pedal. You will just know without having to give it a lot of thought. Trust me... :>)

   Regards...

   Sarge..

1. 
   BriMcG | Mar 25, 2008 09:45pm | #12

   Thanks Sarge. I'll get it.

   Brian

5. 
   pond50 | Mar 27, 2008 11:10pm | #13

   I built Norm's Workshop hutch  http://www.newyankee.com/getphoto.php?0106 with six drawers as you have described with 1/2 inch plywood drawer bottoms. No evidence of sagging after storage of heavy equipment.

1. 
   harrycu | Mar 27, 2008 11:43pm | #14

   My drawers would be pretty wide, but, due to the lack of plentiful giant sized drawers and the lack of comfort they provide, I opt to go drawerless. But then again, that's just me. YMM and probably will V. <GRIN>

   Harry

    

   Following the path of least resistance makes rivers and men crooked.

   Edited 3/27/2008 4:45 pm by harrycu