Is 1/2" BB Ply Strong Enough??

[Andy Cree]

I am building some boxes that are 30"x30" and about 24" deep that will hold two 4" drawers and two 10"drawers. The boxes will serve as a bank of drawers under my 2x4 framed reloading bench. Some of the larger drawers might have to hold some bullets, but I cannot see loading them full of heavy bullets since I have so many other pieces of reloading gear to house. With that having been said, I am trying to decide where I need to use 3/4" BB and where to use the less expensive 1/2" BB? What do you think?

Thank you!

Andy

[Mike Hollingsworth]

If multiple boxes are attached to each other, that would be an inch. Surely strong enough.
You could make the ends out of 3/4.

[Mike Weaver]

Andy,
I think 1/2" would be fine for the drawer pieces. Are you adding a false front to the drawers?
If so, adding a stiffener across the bottom could provide extra insurance and be hidden.

Best wishes for a great project!
-Mike

[Andy Cree]

The box part will be one big box that will be 30"x30" and 24" deep - I am leaning on making that out of 3/4" BB. The box will then hold 4 drawers, two 4"deep drawers and two 10" deep drawers. I will use metal slides for mounting the drawers. Will 1/2" BB be strong enough to make all of the drawer parts including the bottom?

Thanks!
Andy

[Mark Blatter]

I suspect that 1/2" would be sufficient, but with the potential for extreme weight, I would make them out of 3/4". I would also look at getting some heavy duty glides as well.

I just saw that drawers are not 30" but are smaller. 1/2" should work fine.

[Peter Quinn]

I'd use 3/4" maple ply for the cases, no need to spend on Baltic birch there, and 1/2" Baltic birch for drawers, either 1/2" or even 3/8" Baltic birch for drawer bottoms. Having two different sizes might prove more costly? Lay it out for yield, certainly the 4" tall drawers don't need 1/2" bottoms.

[Andy Cree]

Mark, 30" in the opening, so 28" would probably be more realistic once you add 1.5" for the carcass and 1/2" or so for the slides.

Andy

[lowell holmes]

The 1/2" Baltic Burch should be plenty. I have had cheap Baltic Burch delaminate. I will only buy it from a reputable lumber yard.

You should be able to look at it and see what your getting. The 2X2 and 2X4 pieces at the borg has been good. I've seen some real junk there though.