Derek Cohen
07-07-2013, 9:20 AM
When we left off last time the base had been constructed in preparation for the drawer. The question I asked was whether there would be any reason why one wide drawer was a bad idea (since it would look better - be easier to hide in the base - than two drawers). I decided to go ahead with one drawer. This is where it will be fitted ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Base5_zps7782b05b.jpg
The base looks like this ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Base3_zps27fdadb3.jpg
... and the plan was to use these stretchers as a guide for the drawer ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Base4_zps052d2981.jpg
I have since sawn them to about half that width and added a rebate to create a 1/4" tongue along the inside length at each side. The idea is to groove the side of the drawer and run the drawer along the tongues.
What I would like to get opinion on is whether there is a better way, such as a mechanical (extension) slide. Again, the concern is to minimise any potential racking in a wide drawer.
I have completed the drawer, done today. The design of the drawer takes it out of the traditional as I have used plywood for the base. The reason for this is was the need to maximise the internal space in this shallow drawer (about 2" high) by screwing the base into a lower rebate rather than floating a panel in a groove (which would have to be situated higher). My reasoning was that ply would be stable and not need to deal with the expansion issue of solid wood. Your thoughts? Would you have designed the drawer differently?
Here is the drawer resting on the side stretchers. The drawer has not yet been grooved to slide on the tongues. I can change the design if there is a convincing argument for something else.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Drawer1_zpsa230c249.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Drawer2_zpsa9600a8a.jpg
This is the tongue (that the drawer is resting upon).
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Drawer3_zpseaad82c8.jpg
Two features here: the first is the drawer features through dovetails at the front and a cross piece that is attached with sliding dovetails. A section from the base will be attached to the front of the drawer (and blend in with the remainder of the base). The drawer does not extend to the rear, although the sides do (to support it when extended).
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Drawer4_zps959ea712.jpg
This is the ply base screwed into a rebate that runs fully around the drawer. The 1/4" ply is very stiff and there was no need for a munton. No glue. I considered expansion slots, but believe that there is no need.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Drawer5_zps9b291ec8.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Drawer6_zps1a82d97a.jpg
The wide breadboard ends on the top have been cut down (by more than half). Inside there is a 3/4" tenon. The underside has been given a small moulding (to pick up the theme of the base). This is a dry fit.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Drawer7_zps995900a9.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Drawer8_zps9b0e8d7d.jpg
That's it for now. I am away (visiting parents in Cape Town) for 10 days. No building in this time. I look forward to any comments.
Regards from Perth
Derek
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Base5_zps7782b05b.jpg
The base looks like this ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Base3_zps27fdadb3.jpg
... and the plan was to use these stretchers as a guide for the drawer ...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Base4_zps052d2981.jpg
I have since sawn them to about half that width and added a rebate to create a 1/4" tongue along the inside length at each side. The idea is to groove the side of the drawer and run the drawer along the tongues.
What I would like to get opinion on is whether there is a better way, such as a mechanical (extension) slide. Again, the concern is to minimise any potential racking in a wide drawer.
I have completed the drawer, done today. The design of the drawer takes it out of the traditional as I have used plywood for the base. The reason for this is was the need to maximise the internal space in this shallow drawer (about 2" high) by screwing the base into a lower rebate rather than floating a panel in a groove (which would have to be situated higher). My reasoning was that ply would be stable and not need to deal with the expansion issue of solid wood. Your thoughts? Would you have designed the drawer differently?
Here is the drawer resting on the side stretchers. The drawer has not yet been grooved to slide on the tongues. I can change the design if there is a convincing argument for something else.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Drawer1_zpsa230c249.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Drawer2_zpsa9600a8a.jpg
This is the tongue (that the drawer is resting upon).
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Drawer3_zpseaad82c8.jpg
Two features here: the first is the drawer features through dovetails at the front and a cross piece that is attached with sliding dovetails. A section from the base will be attached to the front of the drawer (and blend in with the remainder of the base). The drawer does not extend to the rear, although the sides do (to support it when extended).
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Drawer4_zps959ea712.jpg
This is the ply base screwed into a rebate that runs fully around the drawer. The 1/4" ply is very stiff and there was no need for a munton. No glue. I considered expansion slots, but believe that there is no need.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Drawer5_zps9b291ec8.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Drawer6_zps1a82d97a.jpg
The wide breadboard ends on the top have been cut down (by more than half). Inside there is a 3/4" tenon. The underside has been given a small moulding (to pick up the theme of the base). This is a dry fit.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Drawer7_zps995900a9.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Blanket%20Chest/Drawer8_zps9b0e8d7d.jpg
That's it for now. I am away (visiting parents in Cape Town) for 10 days. No building in this time. I look forward to any comments.
Regards from Perth
Derek