A drawer for the kist

[Derek Cohen]

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

[Winton Applegate]

The sides left long to extend to the rear was a good idea ; to prevent racking as well.
Why no glue on the bottom in place of screws ? Replaceable bottom ? Limited life of glue ? Wood movement ? Or maybe you just like to be cantankerous ? Out of glue ?
What made me suggest it is when I was studying the best of the best secretaries at Winterthur (the cabinets not the women) I discovered to my surprise that the bottoms of the little drawers in the cubbies (in the gallery) were just simply glued to the under side of the narrow sides of the drawers.
Have a good trip.

[Jim Matthews]

Why no glue on the bottom in place of screws ? Replaceable bottom ? Limited life of glue ? Wood movement ?

He probably made the fit perfect, such that the board is held in place by atmospheric pressure, alone.
The screws are only for Typhoon season, when the barometer can drop rapidly.

Did you see the itty-bitty pins on the drawer dovetails?

I just want drawers that fit into the slot without binding.
This is "mind bottling".

[Chris Hachet]

Mind boggling indeed....I need to build a chest for our family room, so we can have blankets when we all watch movies together. This thread is huge inspiration for me to get my other projects done so I can build it.

[Winton Applegate]

Typhoons and mind bottling
I like it.

itty-bitty pins
He does alright doesn't he. (for a college guy)