If I am going to make 1/2" drawers, is it better to use 5/4 stock and resaw it or 4/4 and plane it down to 1/2"?
If I am going to make 1/2" drawers, is it better to use 5/4 stock and resaw it or 4/4 and plane it down to 1/2"?
Alex, I actually start with 8/4 poplar and resaw to three 1/2" boards after jointing flat/thicknessing. If you have to start thinner, you should be ok with 5/4 stock if it's nearly flat or flat before milling. If you have to face joint much to flatten, you'll be cutting it close, pardon the expression, for getting two finished 1/2" boards. I always try to avoid taking 4/4 stock down below 3/4" if I can avoid it...it's a waste of a lot of good material and more costly than buying thicker stock to begin with.
--
The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...
I'm just doing my first DT drawers as well for a tool chest, 1/2" thick and resawing 8/4 popular, figuring, as Jim mentioned, 8/4 would give the best bang for the buck (I checked with Hogan and 6/4 was only .02 cheaper).
BTW, this experience has started me saving for a new bandsaw to replace my 14" Ridgid.
Buy a Laguna LT16HD. We've got one and it's incredibal.
Personally I would use 4/4 stock split in half and use whatever size you get. If I had to put a measurement to it, I use 3/8" for drawers 16" wide and smaller and only use 1/2" for drawers bigger than 16" wide.
What Tom said.
We tend to make drawer sides thicker than they need to be. But it all depends on what the intended use for the drawer is.