Instructions on Making Dovetail Drawers
One of the strongest joints you can use to make drawers is the dovetail joint. It works by interlocking the pieces of wood that make up the sides and ends of the drawer, preventing them from being pulled apart with continued use. Often, the quality of a cabinet can be determined by the quality of the dovetail joint. Routers and jigs have made the process of creating dovetail joints easier, but construction still requires planning and concentration.
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Things You'll Need
- 1-inch by 4-inch lumber for sides and ends
- 1-inch by 6-inch lumber for drawer front
- 1/4-inch plywood for bottom
- Measuring tape
- Circular saw
- Router mounted in router table
- Router bits
- Dovetail jig
- Clamps
- Wood Glue
- Wood screws
- Sandpaper
- Drawer handle
Instructions
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1
Cut the 1-inch-by-4-inch lumber to the desired length. For instance, if the desired drawer size is 10 inches by 16 inches, cut two pieces of lumber to 10 inches and two pieces to 16 inches. There should be four sides altogether.
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2
Cut the tails first. Set up your jig on the router table, according to manufacturer instructions. Securely place one of the side panels of the drawer into the jig. Use the router and follow the jig pattern. Turn the piece 180 degrees, and repeat the process. Do this with the other side panel as well.
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3
Change the jig so that you can cut pins instead of tails. Cut both ends of the remaining wood pieces, following the pin jig with the router, as above. Test fit the sides and ends of the four panels to see how they fit together.
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4
Cut the drawer bottom to size. For instance, a 10-inch-by-16-inch drawer would need a bottom cut to 9 inches by 15 inches. This will allow the bottom to be set inside the walls of the drawer.
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5
Glue the dovetailed joints together, using a thin layer of wood glue, as you assemble the four panels. Wipe off any excess glue.
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6
Insert the drawer bottom. Screw the bottom into place using wood screws.
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7
Clamp the drawer securely and let dry.
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8
Oce the glue is dry, sand the joints until they are smooth. Sand the cut ends of the 1-inch-by-6-inch lumber that is the face of the drawer. Center the drawer face, and clamp it to the drawer's front panel. Attach the drawer face with wood screws, starting them at the inside front panel.
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9
Attach the drawer handle.
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Tips & Warnings
A rubber mallet can be used to help get the dovetail joints into place.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
