Simple question but I am puzzled.

pmmatty | Posted in General Discussion on June 27, 2008 02:19am

I am about to build a simple shaker style night table. Top is 18 inches square; aprons, and tapered legs and a drawer. Here’s the thing. Most such tables employ 2 narrow rails to tie the front of the table together and the drawer is installed on runners between the rails. I just read an article on this site explaining the use of guide rails fit into mortises in the side of the drawers to support the drawer- and I want to use this. So what I don’t get is, if I support the drawer this way, and don’t use front rails (looks cleaner this way), how is the table “tied” together without the front rails. Is it just the table top holding the structure together? What am I missing here? Thanks. pmm

Replies

KiddervilleAcres | Jun 27, 2008 02:49pm | #1
pm,

I just read an article on this site explaining the use of guide rails fit into mortises in the side of the drawers to support the drawer- and I want to use this

Can ya point us to the article yer referrin to?

Regards,

Bob @ Kidderville Acres

A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
BG | Jun 27, 2008 03:10pm | #2
PM,
You have to have the rails in the design you describe. Usually the front drawer is made from the apron. In other words, you rip the apron twice creating the drawer front and the two rails. Often I dovetail in the top rail and mortise in the bottom rail. Now when it comes to supporting the drawer, in operation so to speak, you can do that with either runners that run perpendicular to the front bottom rail(mortised in )or, as your thinking, a grove on the drawer sides married to cleats attached to wood that is flush to the drawer opening. I hope this helps
saschafer | Jun 27, 2008 04:25pm | #3
You can design the drawer so that the drawer front overlays the narrow top and bottom rails. This means that the drawer ends up somewhat shallower than the height of the drawer front would suggest.

-Steve
KeithNewton | Jun 27, 2008 04:52pm | #4
The legs could use M&T into the top for some integrity.