Drawer boxes with 1/2" BB - how to join?

[John TenEyck]

I really like the look of finger joints for BB drawers, and have used them often. A simpler yet strong and very attractive option is a simple butt joint, or rabbeted joint at the front if not using a false front. After the glue sets go back and drill holes for dowels of your choice, at whatever spacing pleases you, glue them in, and then cut them off and plane/sand flush.

John

[Geoff Barry]

Thanks, all, I appreciate the input. I may experiement a little more wit DTs and a backing board, but otherwise I'm leaning toward a rabit of some sort. I'm building this dresser as a test run, so I guess one of the things I now know is that next time I'll build the drawers out of solid stock

[glenn bradley]

The locking rabbit is the joint of choice for myself when use 1/2'' BB Plywood.

+1 on the "drawer-lock" joint. I use the tablesaw or a task specific router bit with equal success. My 1/2" BB ply shop drawers are done this way and have been in daily service for years. Here's an example of 1/2" ash and 1/2" BB ply done with the task specific router bit:

Drawerlock done.jpg . 2nd drawer unit 005.jpg

[Larry Copas]

To prevent splintering and blowouts on the BB you might try climb cutting. That's how I just did forty drawers and pullouts with only a couple of oops.

I think solid stock, especially for a dresser is the best choice.

[Alan Bienlein]

Thanks, all, I appreciate the input. I may experiement a little more wit DTs and a backing board, but otherwise I'm leaning toward a rabit of some sort. I'm building this dresser as a test run, so I guess one of the things I now know is that next time I'll build the drawers out of solid stock

Dove tails in ply are a piece of cake! All of these were made from 1/2" plywood bought at Home Depot. No blowouts!
002 (3).jpg003 (2).jpg4-19-10 008.jpg

[Dave Novak]

Guess I just don't get it. If your making "heirloom quality" furniture I'd use solid wood and dovetail the drawers. For plywood drawers, why aren't biscuits or dominos just fine? Plenty strong, not ugly, and easy.

[johnny means]

Why not use BB for heirloom furniture? Surely modern techniques and materials have a place in fine furniture. How many fine antiques have sticky drawers because the makers didn't have the option to use more stable materials like plywood?

I use pocket screws and glue for my plywood drawers. Once you mount the false front and install the drawer their not visible at all.

[Thomas Hotchkin]

+ 1 on the Domino very fast, easy, and decorative. Tom

[Matt Meiser]

If I'm doing BB drawers I do pocket hole screws.

[Alan Schaffter]

This is a personal decision based on ability, tooling, convenience, and personal aesthetics. Dovetails work with a good backer, sharp bit, and taking it a little slower. Box joints are quick and easy (especially if you have an I-BOX ), but all the joints and methods mentioned in this thread, including the special locking drawer joints and lock miter joints if you take the care and time to set them properly, will work fine.

I dovetailed all my shop drawer boxes that were made with big box store 1/2" ply- not Baltic Birch, but the kind with more laminations than regular ply but with relatively brittle surface veneer.

[Brian Brightwell]

Good job Alan. Nice looking cabinets for not a lot invested. I got my base cabinets out of the dumpster at work. So I didn't get all the practice you did.

[Alan Schaffter]

Good job Alan. Nice looking cabinets for not a lot invested. I got my base cabinets out of the dumpster at work. So I didn't get all the practice you did.

The solid wood was almost free- white oak harvested when they cleared trees from my lot prior to building my house.

[Steve Peterson]

I just use fiinger joints. There is so much surface area to hold the glue that they cannot move.

My hardwood supplier has 1/2" by 8" or 12" by 60" pre-finished baltic birch pieces for use as drawer sides. The sides have a bullnose roundover before finishing. They work great for drawer sides and save the finishing step. Cut them in half for 4" or 6" tall drawers.

Steve