If you have cabinets in your home but can't make the most of their space, making drawers is a great option. Drawers provide lots of well-organized space. If you go to a professional carpenter, this will cost much. In fact, building cabinet boxes by yourself is not a difficult task.
If you don’t know how to make a drawer, this guide may inspire you. In this tutorial, we list the essential tools you may need and the detailed steps to make a simple drawer. Now, let’s finish the money-saving and rewarding project!
Preparations to Build a Drawer
Before making a wooden drawer, you must consider which wood type to choose. You can choose from two: solid wood and man-made wood.
Solid wood, such as oak, walnut, and cherry, has high density and noticeable grain. This allows the finished product to have superior quality and durability. However, it is important to note that wood expands or contracts with humidity.
Man-made wood, such as plywood, MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard), and HDF (High-Density Fiberboard). Plywood is cheap, stable, and easy to process, making it the more common choice. The characteristics of MDF & HDF are similar to those of plywood, but not as strong as plywood. However, it is a good choice for cabinet boxes that require a smooth finish.
After finishing the wood selection, it's time to prepare the tools in the following list.
1. Slides:
If you don't have slides prepared, you can use the traditional and easy way of making them. However, pulling the drawer will cause friction between the drawer and the cabinet, which will deform after long use. In this case, using slides is a good solution. Here are two types of slides:
- Ball-bearing slide: Higher degree of smoothness, suitable for occasions requiring higher smoothness, but the cost is relatively high.
- Roller-bearing slide: Lower degree of smoothness but cheaper price. It is the first choice of most people.
2. Measuring tools: It is important to accurately control the dimensions of the various parts of the drawer. We need to use some measuring tools, including a pencil, a tape measure, a ruler, and a caliper.
3. Saw: A circular saw or miter saw is available and used to cut boards to the right size.
4. Fasteners: You need to use screws with matching diameters to securely mount the slides to the left and right sides of the drawer. A screwdriver or a drill is necessary.
5. Wood glue: The glue holds the drawer in place while attaching the sides of the drawer.
6. Finish: It is moisture resistant and aesthetically pleasing. If you make drawers from solid wood, it is recommended to choose a transparent wax oil to further emphasize the grain.
Techniques to Make a Drawer
Making drawers requires patience and attention, especially when it comes to sizing. When you need to make drawers but have no way to start, the following steps can help you.
Step 1. Measure and Design
- Measure the width of the cabinet where you plan to install a drawer.
- Depending on the size of the slides, subtract the space required for the drawer slides from the width.
- Measure the depth of the cabinet as the length of the side pieces. It’s recommended to subtract 1’’ from the cabinet depth.
- Determine the height based on your needs and personal habits.
Draw a simple sketch according to the data above. It’s better to distinguish the names of the individual panels for the subsequent attachment. It’s essential to mark the position of the slides to avoid rework.
Step 2. Cut the Drawer Parts
Using the sketch as a guide, cut the individual panels of the drawer.
Cut two side pieces according to the measurement. The length of the side should be at least 1 inch shorter than the depth of the drawer.
Cut the front and the back. The width of the boards is the width of the cabinet subtract the thickness of the two sides. The height is in line with the side.
Optional: The height of the front piece can be slightly longer to make it easier for you to pull out the drawers.
Finally, cut the bottom. The size of the bottom piece depends on the wood material. If you are using plywood, cut it to a larger size. If you're using solid wood, cut it to the just-right size.
Step 3. Assemble Boards
Once all the panels are cut, it's time to assemble the pieces. Start by attaching two side panels to the front and back pieces.
- Apply wood glue to each plank joint to increase firmness.
- Screw at least two wood screws per corner into the boards.
- Make sure each corner is square.
- Hold them together with clamps until glue dries or screws are tight.
Tip: When screwing, you can drill pockets holes with a jig on each side of each board. In this way, you won’t see any screw heads.
Step 4. Install the Bottom Piece
Install the bottom with wood glue and wood screws as described above. If there is a board overhang and you want to hide it, take a further step and dress it up. Use a router to trim the four edges.
If you created a dado (or groove), just use the wood glue to connect them. Note that before adding glue, test to make sure the plywood is the correct size.
Step 5. Attach Drawer Slides
A slide consists of two parts. One for attaching to the drawer box and another for attaching to the side of your cabinet. The heart of a successful slide installation is to make sure everything stays straight and aligned.
Once you've determined the position of the slides, secure them to the drawer with screws. After the installation, fit the drawer into the cabinet, and push or pull it back and forth to make sure it is smooth.
Step 6. Sand and Finish
When completing all the steps above, it’s time to beautify the appearance of the drawer box. Use a coarse sandpaper to remove burrs and unevenness from the surface. Then use a finer sandpaper to make it further smooth. Pay particular attention to the edges and corners.
Finish the drawer with paint, stain, or wood wax oil. This makes it more aesthetic and durable. Keep it for a while until the finish dries, and you’ll get a perfect drawer.
