I’ve just completed a Krenov style cabinet. It’s solid cherry joined with dowels. It has 9 drawers. The wood was thoroughly dry. My shop is in the garage where the humidity averages 50 to 60 percent. After bringing it into the 40 percent humidity house I expected some shrinkage and the closely fitted drawers to loosen up.
Nope. The 5 drawers in the center became difficult to move. The tightness is all on one side. I’ve pared them down and they get tight again. I’ve let the cabinet sit without drawers for a couple of weeks. The drawers are interchangeable. Any drawer sticks in those spots. Those drawers fit fine everywhere else.
I reason that the shrinkage caused the volume of the case to shrink. That’s new to me. Why in one part of one side? Wood is organic and, apparently, moves in mysterious ways.
I’m resigned to having somewhat rattley drawers and will keeping fitting the drawers until they fit.
I wanted to pass on this issue for your comments and for the information of others.