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rawer-making consists of three distinct steps: joining boards together to form a box, mounting the drawer in a piece of furniture and installing hardware. Each step must be performed precisely if a drawer is to combine grace and strength, gliding smoothly in a piece of furniture while being sturdy enough to bear the weight of its contents.
Although virtually all drawers share the basic features of the one shown below (center), there are an array of variations.
Before making your first cut, consider the options for each step. For example, from among the joints illustrated at right, there is one to satisfy virtually any requirement. Each joint has different characteristics in terms of strength and durability, level of difficulty, and appearance and suitability for different types of stock and furniture. You can allow personal preference to guide your selection, but make sure you choose a strong joint to attach the drawer front to the sides.
This is the part of the drawer that endures the most stress.
The success of the drawer-mounting operation hinges on how well the drawer has been put together. Three different methods for mounting a drawer in a carcase are shown in this chapter (below, right) as well as one technique suitable for frame-and-panel cabinets. Although each method permits some adjustment, a drawer out-of-square by a wide margin will be almost impossible to install.
False front: A separate front is nailed over the structural front; conceals end grain of drawer sides.
Lipped front: A rabbeted front creates a lip that serves as an overhang; useful for concealing commercial runners when the drawer is closed; lip performs double duty as drawer stop.
n
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Rabbet
For back-to-side joints on most drawers; aso strong enough for joining the front to the sides if reinforced with screws or nails; suitable for solid wood or plywood
Through dovetail
Strong, decorative joint
for any drawer corner;
end grain of drawer
sides can be concealed
with false front; appro-
priate for solid wood
but not plywood
Half-blind dovetail
The traditional joint
for connecting the
front to the sides;
conceals end grain of
sides; suitable only
for solid wood
Dado
Can be used to
join the front to the
sides and the back
to the sides; for solid
wood or plywood
Double dado
For any corner of
small, light-duty
drawer; conceals end
grain of sides and
front; suitable only
for solid wood
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