Dresser drawers

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 7:26 am

A Dado, A Groove or A Rabbet?

I think it is all a matter of terminology but then I am not well schooled in these matters.

If it fits tight, looks good and lasts a long time then it is a good joint.

But, as always, there is still another way to do some of this but may necessitate a new purchase. I prefer Charlese' approach which can be done with either a dado bit/blade or the saw blade.

ddvann79 · Post by **ddvann79** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:45 am

I am of the same mind as Tom on drawer construction. Admittedly, I've never cut a dove tail but I have made finger joints. It can be time consuming, so if you are just looking to make some shop drawers sturdy and functional, why not use screws and but joints? I did that with a chest of drawers in our bedroom and it looks great. For the front of the drawers, I ran a few stretchers across the top and bottom and screwed the front of the drawers on from the back of these stretchers and attached it to the drawers with screws from the back side. Quick, easy, strong.

Underdog · Post by **Underdog** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 12:21 pm

Many thanks guys! I think I've got most of the drawer construction concepts down - except one...

The bottom of the drawer will be made of 1/4" ply. It will ride in a 1/4" x 1/4" groove that will be cut in the front, sides, and back of the drawer. Where exactly is this groove located? Should it be 1/4" up from the lower edge? 1/2" up from the lower edge? Is there a general rule of thumb for this groove, like maybe leave as much material under the groove as the groove is thick, or something like that? (Does that make any sense?).

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 1:35 pm

There's no rule I know of, but perhaps there is one out there somewhere. If there is one, it probably would read what you suggest as a general rule of thumb -- leave 1/4" below the groove for a 1/4" bottom.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:34 pm

JPG40504 wrote:Yeah I'se confused alright. I was thinking of a rabbet re the open sided 'dado'...
P.S. I also have had a problem with stiles and mullions and rails as well!

It has now dawned on me that I referred to the drawer joint in Post #6 as a dado and tongue. It would have been more correct to refer to the joint as a dado and rabbet. Gotta admit I was thinking of the 1/4" insert as a tongue. Actually it is just the part of the board left over from the rabbet. I guess a true tongue is made by making two rabbets.

As long as we are talking about drawer joints, there is also the locking dado, or double dado joint.

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Stiles are vertical - rails are horizontal - mullions are structural pieces that separate elements - maybe you were thinking of muntins. A muntin separates the "lites" or panes of glass. They are also called grids, glazing bars, etc.

These doors are structurally sound with the vertical stiles and horizontal rails. The horizontal glass separators are muntins. So are the shorter vertical ones.

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charlese · Post by **charlese** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:40 pm

Underdog wrote:Many thanks guys! I think I've got most of the drawer construction concepts down - except one...

The bottom of the drawer will be made of 1/4" ply. It will ride in a 1/4" x 1/4" groove that will be cut in the front, sides, and back of the drawer. Where exactly is this groove located? Should it be 1/4" up from the lower edge? 1/2" up from the lower edge? Is there a general rule of thumb for this groove, like maybe leave as much material under the groove as the groove is thick, or something like that? (Does that make any sense?).

The bottom of the groove should be at least 1/4" from the bottom of the sides and the front. 1/4" is a more or less standard, however if you will be having more weight, maybe 3/8" might be more practical.

If you are going to use 1/4" plywood please be knowledgeable that it will fit loosely into a 1/4" groove.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Apr 21, 2011 12:02 am

charlese wrote: . . .

Stiles are vertical - rails are horizontal - mullions are structural pieces that separate elements - maybe you were thinking of muntins. A muntin separates the "lites" or panes of glass. They are also called grids, glazing bars, etc.

. . .

I was thinking of a paneled door, however I have tended to refer to all three(stile,mullion,muntin) as stile(bad habit caused by early ignorance).

Thank You for forced late understanding.

BTW Didja notice the correct reference to dado and groove in the you tube film?

jm51 · Post by **jm51** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:50 pm

I found the term 'dado' confusing when I first started browsing mainly American woodworking sites.

In the UK the 'dado rail' was in vogue for a few years, like a chair rail running along the wall but at chest height. Looked daft imo but plenty of women thought it was thing to have at the time.

judaspre1982 · Post by **judaspre1982** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 2:20 pm

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charlese · Post by **charlese** » Mon May 02, 2011 2:06 am

Glad that photo inspires you, (I think). Anyway, the cabinet is 100% red oak. The finish which gives that color is Watco Golden Oak Danish finish followed by Varathane water based polyurethane clear floor finish. About 5 coats. Here's the whole thing.

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