Drawer sides

[Woodmatt]

Hi All,I have been asked to make some solid oak sided internal drawer with oak ply bottoms for a wardrobe the size of the drawers will be 750mm wide x 530mm deep x 180mm high.What thickness material would member use for this type of drawer.The drawer will only be holding underwear,t shirts ect so nothing heavy.

Thanks

PS the client insists on solid sides.

 

[Sgian Dubh]

If you're making traditional drawers to slide between runners and kickers, the sides and backs could reasonably be 8 - 10 mm thick - you might even go a little thinner, but generally I reserve sides as thin as 6 - 7 mm for drawers less than about 450 mm or so wide. You might also consider including drawer slips on the bottom edge of the sides to increase the contact between the drawer side bottom and the runner: this will increase the wearing surfaces thus delaying wear effects.

If your plan is to attach the drawers on side mounted slides (runners) go with 12 mm or so to provide plenty of room for the screws (usually 10 mm long).

If using undermount slides you could make drawer sides anywhere between about 8 and 16 mm thick.

You wouldn't incorporate slips for drawers attached to either slide type.

On the whole, slimmer sides and backs are aesthetically more elegant than thick, or at least that's my preference - others may disagree. Slainte.

 

[AndyT]

5 to 7 mm. You don't need any more wood than that for strength, especially in oak, assuming a traditional dovetailed drawer construction. You will need to add slips to fit the bottom ply into; there are several ways of doing these.

Thicker drawer sides have their place, in utilitarian construction or when using weak chipboard or for flat pack, but not in solid wood furniture, imo.

 

[PAC1]

I am obviously a bit more 'industrial' as I have always made drawer sides 12 to 15mm thick and usually out of beach

 

[Woodmatt]

Thank you guy for such quick replies and very interesting.I was going to go with 15mm all round for strength but it sound like I may be over doing it.

Forums like this are so helpful so thanks again.

Matthew