Drawer frame flexing when pulling handle due to large 44" width -possible solutions?

[Cory filder]

A bead of hot-melt glue will tie the bottom to the sides and front quite securely. Make sure to square up the drawer before you apply the glue.

Does the hot glue last for years with temperature changes? Despite the fact that this is all made out of Baltic birch plywood, is there any issue with movement? I shouldn't think so since many people use glue all the time

Glue a small cleat or quarter round to the bottom and front

I'm seriously considering this is the option.

I guess I am not understanding how the sides of the drawer would flex if the corner joints (dovetail, rabbet, finger joint, etc) were properly made. The bottoms usually provide little or no overall strength to the drawer, and floating is one of the typical designs, so something is wrong. I agree to add some glue to the dados holding the drawer bottom or just shoot a half dozen pins or brads into the bottom of the drawer side on the inside at a slight angle to hit the drawer bottom, or yeah some quarter round or shop made triangle cleat to the corners to reinforce them. I think I would try glue or brads first.

glue and brads are fast and easy. The reason why this is happening has more to do with bending moment of the long span rather than joint stiffness of the corner. my Corners are pretty stiff. I do not believe there is a mistake so far, but rather an additional step as needed. My sides which are only 20 inches do not really flex at all. 44 inches is a long span with only 12 mm material and 3" high

Just adding the drawer fronts will stiffen the front and reduce the flex. In addition to the pull locations, you can screw through the drawer carcass into the front in several other locations (making sure to use oversize clearance holes) to really stiffen up the front assembly. I'd try that first before the other solutions; it may be all you need.

I was thinking this too only that my drawer fronts were only intended to be 5 mm thick. If I would've gone thicker, I think you're right there would've been no issue.

drawer front is too light, needs reinforced somehow. lot of good ideas given already pick one. I have a 4 drawer chest for my clothes, made out of 3/4 cherry, dovetail's and 1/2 baltic birch bottoms. The drawer fronts do not flex, no matter if pulled from side, middle. Over 50" wide.
Ron

3/4" is thicker than 1/2" also close drawers are a lot deeper at 6 inches or more which provides further stiffness