How do you "fit" a drawer?

Re: British method?

Greg B

>We're talking Alan Peters, not ikea. I'll have to go read the article again. As I recall, the back was fitted to each opening, then used as the sizing template for the sides and then the front. I don't recall whether the article gets into traditional construction details (i.e. use of slips, rounding over the rear upper ends of the sides, etc.), but was more focused on fitting. Small matter to rip the lower part of the back to accomodate the drawer bottom sliding in. It'll be a trip to my attic/office to forage for that issue to confirm what he says about that. Anyone else have it near to hand?

Cheers,

Greg

Another possibility..

Mark Harrison -- in Sydney, Australia

>Were the drawer sides rived or rift sawn? That would make sense as wood movement would be minimised.

Just a guess and I've not seen the originals.

Re: British method?

Adam Cherubini, NJ

>I know you guys hear where I'm coming from: Why use the back as a template for the front.

If anything, it makes more sense to do the opposite. You wouldn't want to go to all that work planing the back to fit the opening, then rip it so the bottom could slide in, right?

The back needs to be no wider than the front, but if its narrower would it matter?

Likewise, since the height of the back doesn't/shouldn't bear on the drawer runners, do you care if the back is flush with the sides height wise? What about an 1/8" under flush? 1/4"? 3/8"? That would all be fine, right?

What is the criteria used to determine the form of the drawer back? How does its shape effect the operation of the drawer?

I may be missing something. IKEA drawers are grooved on all four insides. All the drawer pieces, or at least the sides and back are the same height. I'm not saying its wrong to do. I don't make drawers like this. If you were making drawers like this with lipped/overhanging fronts for example) this technique (fitting the drawer back first) might make more sense. IKEA does this to hide the metal drawer slides.

In general, I think of everything from my own narrow focus, so I'm having trouble placing this since it seems to contradict my work experience. I accept it may be a failing of perception on my part.

Adam

Check out this months FWW

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>They have a good article about fitting drawers in the current issue.

Woops! Senior moment...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

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Re: Another possibility..

Alan Bierbaum

>I don't know; they were smooth as in planed. Chris Becksvoort thinks that they used left over clapboard. See picture and reference on page 86 of "The Shaker Legacy" (first quick reference that I could find).

Re: Another possibility..

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>Maybe they used riven wood for many things? I would be cool if they rived a supply of wood and used it for whatever needed, drawer sides, siding, etc.

Pam

Re: British method?

paul womack

>In general, I think of everything from my own narrow focus,

Heh. We'd kinda' noticed that, Adam.

relevant quote

BugBear

oops!!!

Andrew F in Australia

>My drawers are cut traditionally but I was miles away when I was replying.

I fit the sides of the drawer to the opening - theres a 1/4" gap at the top and a 3/4" gap at the bottom of the drawer back in the opening.

Dunno how I missed that one - I'll blame lack of caffeine and see if that one flies.

Cheers,

Andrew

Nice site.

Don Thompson - Cutler Ridge, Florida

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