Maple Dresser Project

[John M. Cioffi]

Good Morning All.
My current project is a solid maple 5-drawer dresser.
What would be the best choise for the drawer material. I'm thinking of 1/2"maple ply,with either glue joint corners,or something similar.For the bottoms, I am thinking of using either 1/4" luan or ply. Would 1/2" sides & bottoms be fine?
It is about 42"h x 36.5"w x 16"d.
I'm using solid maple applied fronts.
Your input is very valuable & appreciated.
Thakns for your help.
John

[John Renzetti]

Hi, I like using 5/8 or 16mm material. A bit stronger than 1/2 but not as bulky looking as 3/4. Instead of ply I've had good luck with soft maple.
take care,
John

[Tom Jones III]

I've used 1/2" baltic birch ply for the sides/back and 1/4" luann ply for the bottoms. IMO, the nicest is solid poplar for the sides/back. You can sand that poplar so that it feels nice and soft and won't stick to any clothes that go in the drawer.

Check out the thread below for another style of drawer making that I highly recommend.
http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=42799

[Scott Coffelt]

I agree I prefer to use poplar, but a nice baltic birch also looks good. I usually do half-blind dt's for the drawers, but if I use BB, then I use a lock miter and brads. Not had a drawer come apart yet.

The cats meow would be to do them out of Maple and through dovetails. Depends on how fancy you really want to go. I'd stay away from maple ply, just not as nice IMHO.

[Mike Leone]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i181/wing-nut/100_0247.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i181/wing-nut/100_0245.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i181/wing-nut/100_0242.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i181/wing-nut/100_0241.jpg
the drawers are 5/8 oak thought dovetails with a face mouted.
sides and back are all raised pannel I did on my ts.
wooden draw rails
the cab is made out of white oak, the drawer bottoms is baltic birch

[George Leicht]

I'll muddy things up a little bit. Instead of poplar, how about "soft" maple? In my experience, it is more stable than poplar, and it matches the hard maple in appearance. It machines nicely, too.
George

[John M. Cioffi]

Thanks for the replies.
John, your methods on drawers are really great,thanks.
Mike, that is a really beautiful dresser you made. thanks.
Thanks to everyone. My specialty hardwaood supplier said that soft maple moves alot & twists up,due to so much moisture. I could get Ash, but it would be different in color.
I went with the 1/2"Maple ply & Im using the 1/2" poplar hardwood ply for the bottoms. One side is like a yellowy/white color & will reflect very nicely.
Thanks again for your help.
John