Table of Contents
How deep should tool drawers be?
3″ drawers are great for bulkier tools, such as mechanics tools, socket rails, and things like that. Hammers and other bulky tools work better in these deeper drawers. 4″ drawers work well for misc.
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.
What is the best height for a drawer?
Allow at least 1/4” of clearance above and below the drawer, giving you a height of 5-1/2” (6” minus 1/4” at top and 1/4” at bottom). Your drawer box should be 17” wide, 5-1/2” tall and 22” deep.
What plywood should I use for drawers?
Drawer sides should generally be constructed of half-inch plywood, while the drawer bottom should be made of quarter-inch plywood. Columbia makes it easy to construct quality, durable drawers using our maple drawer sides. These are available in standard 8-foot lengths, and a variety of widths that are ready to cut.
What material is used to make drawers?
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.
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.
How thick should drawer bottoms 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.
Can you make drawers out of MDF?
The reason why MDF is an ideal choice for drawer-building is because it cuts and sands well. In addition, it paints well, unlike chipboard and plywood, according to the Handyman Know How website.
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.
How much gap should be between drawers?
Drawer depth or height is not critical, but the most common difference between the drawer and the opening is 3/4 inch. For example, if the opening measures 4 inches vertically, the drawer should be built 3 1/4 inches. This allows 1/4 inch at the bottom where the slide is attached, and 1/2 inch at the top for clearance.
How wide can drawers be?
The rule of thumb is 1.5 times the length of the drawer slide. If you have a standard depth kitchen cabinet then the normal length of drawer slide is 22”. If you multiply 22” x 1.5 = 33”. You can go wider, but the wider you go the more chance that the slide will not pull out as smoothly as you hope or expect.
Can drawer slides be longer than drawer?
You should always use the longest slide possible for your application, without exceeding the drawer depth into the cabinet. The Height of a Drawer Slide is usually only a limiting factor, in the sense that you can’t install a slide that is taller than your drawer or pull-out.
What material is used for drawer bottoms?
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 a drawer box?
Drawer Boxes – Create Custom Cabinets with Drawers. When you have kitchen base cabinets with drawers, the drawer boxes, or drawer bases, are often overlooked in their importance and value. Cabinets usually include builder grade cabinet drawer boxes and will break down over time.
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.
Is Basswood good for drawers?
If you can get it, basswood is excellent for drawer sides, works well and is fairly stable.
What wood should I use to make cabinets?
The best wood for cabinetry is widely considered either red oak, poplar, maple, mahogany, or plywood. Cherry, Maple, Ash, Hickory & Oak. Birch, Beech, White Oak, & Red Oak. Walnut & Mahogany. Spruce, Pine, & Fir Softwoods. Plywood.
Is 1 2 plywood strong enough for drawers?
Drawer box side thickness should be at least 1/2″ but if you can find 5/8″ plywood your boxes will be stronger. 1/4″ thick plywood is good enough for most drawers. PureBond 1/4″ Maple Plywood is great for drawer bottoms. Another good choice that is about 1/2 the cost is 1/4″ Tempered Hardboard .
