Drawer side material

[lowell holmes]

I need to replace a drawer in my computer desk. I made the desk and when I did I used drawer side wood which was available at the time.
Well, I'm told by several that it is not available anymore. I will have to use plywood or mill my own with my planer. I have a 12 1/2" planer.

I will use 1X12 fir or pine to make it, or If I can find some 3/8" plywood I might use it. I might be able to find some fir 1X4 material.

Oh well . . . ....

[Dan Baginski]

Rockler sells 5/8 plywood for drawer sides. Has the dado for the bottom already routed into it. I priced out what some 3/4 stock would cost and the rocker plywood was actually cheaper and required less work on my part.

[Jim Allen]

doit best sells 1/2" poplar, very reasonable, lots of different widths.

https://www.doitbest.com

[Gary Ragatz]

Rockler sells 5/8 plywood for drawer sides. Has the dado for the bottom already routed into it. I priced out what some 3/4 stock would cost and the rocker plywood was actually cheaper and required less work on my part.

Dan,

Thanks for the lead - I hadn't run across that before.

[Paul F Franklin]

And if you have a woodcraft nearby, they sell prefab and prefinished drawer side material as well.

[Lee Schierer]

I prefer using yellow poplar over any other type of wood for drawer sides. Plywood would be my last choice.

[mark mcfarlane]

In addition to Rockler and Woodcraft, my local hardwood vendor also sells preformed baltic birch plywood drawer sides, about $5 for a 4 foot length. With the rounded over top and some film finish applied, they look pretty nice to me. I make my own from BB sheets, but if you are doing one drawer it is much cheaper to buy a 4' blank.

[Dan Baginski]

Dan,

Thanks for the lead - I hadn't run across that before.

I just built some drawers with it yesterday. It’s good stuff.

[Dan Baginski]

I prefer using yellow poplar over any other type of wood for drawer sides. Plywood would be my last choice.

I wouldnt use it in a kitchen but for my application it was fine.

[lowell holmes]

I have decided to plane some 1/2" material on my thickness planer and make my own.
I have enough clear 1X12 to make it.