Drawer box construction question

[Mark Katz]

I am starting the design of a built-in that will involve a number of large drawers, specifically 26" wide, 21" deep and up to 12" deep. The drawers would be mostly used for comforters and other linens but I wouldn't be all that surprised if my wife decided to put some heavier items in them.

My first question would be whether 1/2" baltic birch or 1/2" pre-finished maple ply would be strong enough for a drawer that size. I'm also thinking of 1/2" for the bottom. If available I might opt for 5/8" materiel for the sides/front/back but that size is less available in BB or pre-finished ply. Another option would be to use 3/4" material but that seems overkill even for these large drawers.

Secondly, I'm planning to use some flavor of Blum undermount slides. Not sure whether Tandem or Movento but I don't need the push-to-open feature. Wondering whether I should opt for the 150 lb capacity slides (Tandem only, i think) or whether 100 lb rated slides would be sufficient. I've built lots of cabinets with side-mounted slides but never drawers this large.

Thanks for any insights.

 

[tjbnwi]

We use 5/8 solid hard maple for 99% of our drawer boxes. 5/8 Baltic Birch would be your best choice if you want to use a plywood.

Blum has dropped the heavy duty Tandem slides, Movento will be your choice if you want 150 lb slides.

Tom

 

[Packard]

I use 3/4” poplar.  But only because the 4” nominal poplar is available from Home Depot in “hobby lengths” (24”) at half the cost of regular poplar.  I keep anywhere from 20 to 30 in stock (they don’t always have inventory on this, so I keep some in the shop). 

 

[Mark Katz]

We use 5/8 solid hard maple for 99% of our drawer boxes. 5/8 Baltic Birch would be your best choice if you want to use a plywood.

Right, I usually also use poplar or maple for drawer boxes but four of my drawers will be 11 or 12 inches deep. That means finding wide boards and flattening them (I have the means to do that) and hoping they stay flat. Or gluing up a panel. With 32 feet of drawer sides/backs/fronts, that seems like a lot of work. Hence I was thinking plywood. The carcasses will be 3/4" maple ply so I figured I'd stay with ply.

Blum has dropped the heavy duty Tandem slides, Movento will be your choice if you want 150 lb slides.

Thanks Tom - didn't know that.

 

[Mark Katz]

I use 3/4” poplar.  But only because the 4” nominal poplar is available from Home Depot in “hobby lengths” (24”) at half the cost of regular poplar.  I keep anywhere from 20 to 30 in stock (they don’t always have inventory on this, so I keep some in the shop).

Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[Lincoln]

3/4 material is too thick for Movento runners, max of 16mm/ (5/8").

 

[tjbnwi]

We use 5/8 solid hard maple for 99% of our drawer boxes. 5/8 Baltic Birch would be your best choice if you want to use a plywood.

Right, I usually also use poplar or maple for drawer boxes but four of my drawers will be 11 or 12 inches deep. That means finding wide boards and flattening them (I have the means to do that) and hoping they stay flat. Or gluing up a panel. With 32 feet of drawer sides/backs/fronts, that seems like a lot of work. Hence I was thinking plywood. The carcasses will be 3/4" maple ply so I figured I'd stay with ply.

Blum has dropped the heavy duty Tandem slides, Movento will be your choice if you want 150 lb slides.

Thanks Tom - didn't know that.

For tall boxes we edge glue the 5/8 maple. Have not had a problem with it staying flat.

Tom