Drawers are a necessary project for woodworkers to master as they are a common component of furniture builds and repairs. While you can use hand cut joinery and various build techniques to make your drawer stand out, this article will cover the basics you need to learn before trying more advanced techniques.
In this article, I will walk you through how to build a drawer using a standard drawer slide, detachable drawer fronts, and two different methods of box construction - one with hardware showing and one without, that can be used for both Inset or Overlay Drawer Front Styles.
Some of that terminology may be new to you, so consider this: When designing your drawer, there are three questions you have to answer.
What type of drawer slides will be used?
- Standard or Ball Bearing Drawer Slides
- Undermount Drawer Slides
- European or Roller Drawer Slides
- Wooden Drawer Slides
Will the Drawer Front be Detachable or Integrated from the Drawer Box?
- Detachable Drawer Fronts are built separate from the Drawer Box and attached to the Drawer Box once mounted.
- Integrated Drawer Fronts are built into the Drawer Box, replacing one side.
Will the Drawer Front Style be Inset or Overlay with the furniture frame?
- Inset Drawer Fronts are flush with the furniture frame.
- Overlay Drawer Fronts sit outside the furniture frame.
For this build, the Drawer Box and Drawer Front are assumed to be made from ¾” material. Your drawer bottom should be between ¼” and ½” depending on material available and how large the drawer is. The larger the drawer, the thicker the bottom for stability.
Step 1: How to Determine the Drawer Size
Measure the Width, Height and Depth of the drawer opening.
- Width: Subtract the width of two of your drawer slides from the Width of the drawer opening to allow space for them to be installed after the drawer box is constructed. Standard drawer slides are typically ~1/2", so subtract 1" in total from the width accounting for one slide on each side of the drawer box.
- Height: The height of the drawer should be between 75-90% of the height of the opening, depending on style, material availability and personal preference. Make the height of the drawer a minimum of ½” lower than the height of the opening to eliminate any variability when mounting.
- Depth: If using an Overlay Drawer Front, Subtract 1" from the depth to Eliminate any clearance issues closing the drawer. If using an Inset Drawer Front, subtract 1” PLUS the thickness of the Drawer Front, typically ¾”.
If my drawer opening is 5" Tall, 20" Wide and 24" Deep, I would build a 4" Tall, 19" Wide and 21" Deep Drawer for a Standard Slide drawer with a planned Detachable, Overlay Drawer Face.
Step 2: Build your Drawer Box: Video Overview
Step 2 (Option 1): Build your Drawer Box - Beginner Method
- Cut two side boards the full depth of your drawer box.
- Cut the front and back boards at the full width of the drawer box MINUS 1 1/2", the combined width of the two side boards.
- Use Glue and Screws through the outside frame of the side boards into the front and back boards to create your drawer box frame.
- Double check that the OUTSIDE measurements of the drawer box match your requirements.
- Cut out a piece of plywood the same size as the outer dimensions of the drawer box frame.
- Use glue and screws (or brad nails) through the plywood into the drawer box to attach the drawer bottom.
Step 2 (Option 2): Build your Drawer Box - Advanced Method
- Cut two side boards the full depth of your drawer box.
- Cut the front and back boards at the full width of the drawer box MINUS 1 1/2", the combined width of the two side boards.
- Cut a mortise or groove through the two side boards and the front board ¼” from the bottom of the drawer box, 3/8" deep (half way through the board), the width of your plywood. For the back board, cut the bottom off with the top of the groove cut.
- If doing this on a table saw, start your first cut leaving 1/4", then slowly move the guard over to remove more from the groove until you reach the desired thickness to accept the plywood. Once the right thickness, raise the blade and cut through the entirety of the back board, not just 3/8".
- Assuming your plywood is ¼”, that means your back board will be ½” shorter height than your other boards. ¼” for the height of the start of the groove, then ¼” for the actual groove itself.
- Use Glue and Pocket holes on the outside of the front and back piece to attach them to the side boards, making sure the back piece is flush with the TOP of the drawer box.
- Double check that the OUTSIDE measurements of the drawer box match your requirements.
- Cut out a piece of plywood 5/8" wider and deeper than the INSIDE dimensions of the drawer box.
- Chamfer the edges of the plywood to make inserting into the drawer groove easier.
- Slide the plywood sheet through the slot in the back of the drawer, into the grooves on the other three boards.
- Use screws to screw the back of the plywood into the back board of the drawer box to lock it in place, making sure to predrill and countersink so the screw head sits flush with the plywood.
.
Step 3: Mount the Drawer
- Attach the drawer slides to the frame with screws, using spacer blocks from either the bottom or the top to guarantee they are parallel.
- If using an Inset Drawer Front, inset the drawer slides the same distance as the thickness of the drawer front, usually 3/4".
- If using an Overlay Drawer Front, align the drawer slides with the front of the frame.
- Pull the drawer slides partially out and even with the front of the drawer box. Then position the drawer box at the desired height, attach the first screw, then slowly pull the drawer further out, continuing to attach more screws as the mounting holes become available.
Step 4: Cut The Drawer Front
On Inlay Drawer Fronts, a 1/8" reveal all the way around the drawer front is standard but is open to your judgement. Subtract your top and bottom reveal from the height of the drawer frame opening and subtract the two side reveals from the width of your drawer frame opening to get your final dimensions.
On Overlay Drawer Fronts, the amount of overlay is up to the style of your project. If you have other drawers or furniture in the room you are looking to match or compliment, take your guidance from those. Your Overlay should not be less that 1/2" on any side to make sure it fully covers the drawer frame opening when mounted.
Step 5: Mount the Drawer Front
In order to mount the drawer front, you will need to temporarily attach it to the drawer box while mounted. To do that, you can use:
- Hot Glue
- CA Glue
- Double Sided Tape
- Clamps (if room is available)
- Screws through the same mounting holes that will be used for the drawer handle
Use spacers to get the drawer front in the desired position, then once temporarily attached, drill screws through the inside of the drawer box into the drawer front to permanently attach.
