How To Build A Drawer With Wood Slides

Drive a wood screw securing the rail to the frame.

How to build a drawer with wood slides.

It s a handy way to fit drawer fronts in projects where the drawers run on metal slides. Pressing evenly on each side of the drawer slide the drawer into place. The sides and back of the drawer should be 1 2 or 5 8 thick. Put 2 or 3 screws in each side front and back.

Sanding the rails smooth and rubbing on a bit of soap or wax helps the drawer to slide smoothly. Yes it is actually harder than tempered woodpecker lips. The first slide inward can sometimes push a bit tougher but once the tracks are engaged the drawer should slide back out and in smoothly. Depending on the dresser configuration you may need to screw the other end of the rail to the frame.

I extend the slide and drawer box so that the front edge of the slide is flush along the front edge of the drawer box and put one 5 8 wood screw on each side in a vertical slotted hole. Attach the drawer slides to the drawer box and the cabinet frame. Attach the other 2 rails and you re done. I am thrilled to report that this project went very smoothly and turned out great.

Then keeping the drawer pushed down on the plywood scraps i extend the drawer and add another screw on each side into a round hole. Apply wood glue to all four edges of the drawer bottom. In general the drawer front should be 3 4 thick unless it s a drawer with a false front false front drawers are a simple drawer box with the front screwed to the box. Using a drill driver drive 1 inch wood screws through the pilot holes in the drawer front and into the backside of the 1 6 drawer face.

Apply wood glue inside the marked area and then reposition the drawer. For a perfect fit it s best to fully install the drawer box and then position and attach the face. A drawer slide jig is really helpful to install the drawers quickly and level. I tend to get nervous when trying something new i don t want to make mistakes and waste material.

Hold the drawer level in front of the cabinet. Cut out the 4 pieces of wood for the drawer frame. So now i will share with you how to make drawer slides. After you have made your cuts check the length of your pieces and ensure that you know which ones are the front and back pieces and which ones go on the sides.

Glue and nail a plywood base cut to size of the drawer box. This is the drawer box base. Use your saw to cut along the lines you have marked on your wood. Place the ends of the slides attached to the drawers into the tracks inside the cabinet.

I have to be honest this is the first time i ve tried this. Slide bottom up into drawer so it is flush and even with the bottom of the sides. Attach the drawer face leaving 1 8 gap on all sides using wood glue and finish nails and clamp it well.