Drawer Bottom Clearance

[Mike Goetzke]

I'm using 3/16" (0.1875") stock for some drawer bottoms. My dado blade reduces to 0.210" minimum. Is this too much clearance?

Thanks,

Mike

[Russ Massery]

Bottoms might rattle a little. I bought some 1/4 baltic birch plywood at Menard's that was very reasonable priced for mine.

[Mike Goetzke]

Bottoms might rattle a little. I bought some 1/4 baltic birch plywood at Menard's that was very reasonable priced for mine.

That reminds me - my bottom drawer will hold my sanders. The drawer is about 25"x24". Will 3/16" of 1/4" stock be adequate?

[David Eisan]

I'm using 3/16" (0.1875") stock for some drawer bottoms. My dado blade reduces to 0.210" minimum. Is this too much clearance?


I would think so.

When I need dado's narrower than the 1/4" my Freud 508 can do I use a full kerf true rip blade (flat top grind) and take two passes moving the fence.

You might want to give that a try.

Thanks,

David.

[John Keane]

Mike, suggest that you use 1/4" ply. 1/4" ply is really 7/32nds. David has a nice technique. I use a 7/32nds router bit. Since plwood is a hair thinner than its advertised size (i.e. 1/4. 1/2, 3/4) the plywood router bits usually are sold as a set of three. Inexpensive and ensure that the drawer bottom is a flush fit

[glenn bradley]

Like Dave says for the dado. I have used 1/4" ply 23" X 23" for shop drawer bottoms with success. Drawer holds 4 drills, extra batts and chargers.

[Gary Keedwell]

I'm using 3/16" (0.1875") stock for some drawer bottoms. My dado blade reduces to 0.210" minimum. Is this too much clearance?

Thanks,

Mike
Yes, it will be sloppy. What I would do is put in a 1/8 th blade and make one pass on all the sides...then move fence 1/16 th (.0625) and make another pass through your blade. I usually move my fence with the aid of a plunge type indicator with a magnetic back against my fence. Perfect "dado" every time.
The beauty of this method is that if your a little tight or loose just move it (fence) a few thousands and your good.:)

Gary K.

[Tom Ricochet]

Bottoms might rattle a little. I bought some 1/4 baltic birch plywood at Menard's that was very reasonable priced for mine.

Russ - my Menard's has 3/4 and 1/2 4x8 BB, but these are the only two sizes. Does yours have any others in addition to the 1/4"? Thanks.

[Mike Goetzke]

Thanks for the help.

My stock is labeled 1/4" but it's undersized. I was hoping to avoid two passes since I have 10 drawers to make. Oh well... should go quick.

[Dan Forman]

You can save some time by making a shim and putting it between the stock and fence, first pass uses shim, second pass is just fence. Still two passes, but you won't have to keep adjusting the fence.

Dan