Drawer Fronts

[jstockman]

Guys,

My bathroom cabinets are complete.  However, I need advice on how to install the drawer fronts.  Here are my steps for anyone to critique

Drill 4 holes close to each corner of the drawer boxes while they are recessed.  Drill the hole a little bigger than the screw shank.  This may give me a little room to play.

Align and glue the fronts on the drawer fronts onto the boxes with a hot glue gun.
Clamp the drawer fronts for added stability.
Attach with screws the a top and a diaginal corner. 
Adjust and screw tight.
Attach the other screwe.

How does this sound?

Should I predrill small pilot holes in the drawer fronts to accept the screws or just let the screw tap into it.

I appreciate all your help in the past. 

Thanking you in advance.

Jim

 

[johnnyinnb]

I have been drilling the hole in the drawer front first, then hold it in place and run the drill in the hole marking the drawer, drill the hole in the drawer, install the knob which holds the front in place, align it, pull open the drawer and run the screws in.

 

[mastercabman]

Don't use glue!!! you will not be able to fine tune the adjustment.Drilling the holes a little bigger is a good idea.But i always drill for the hardware,place the drawer front in place and finish drilling thru the boxe.Using a 3/16 bit will give you a little play so that you can adjust to your liking.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Those are good methods and I'll throw in another one for you.  Years ago, when I worked for a cabinet/custom furniture shop, they had us drill 2 holes in the draw boxes smaller than the screws that were inserted from the inside so the sharp points of the screws just protruded from the front of the drawer box, then put the drawer face in position LIGHTLY.  Place shims underneath the drawer front for spacing and tap the drawer front into the protruding screws marking the back of the drawer face.

By drilling the holes from the inside of the drawer box, you won't see chip out on the inside.

 

[BobKovacs]

On paint grade work, I set the front where I want it, and shoot a few 23 gauge pins through it at angles to temporarily hold the front in place. I then run screws in fro inside the drawer box.

 

[Tim Morris]

20 mm euro drawer front adjusters work awesome and they're fast.

 

[CABMEISTER]

20 mm euro drawer front adjusters work awesome and they're fast.

I second this method .
Or if you want to , use thin double sided tape to locate then screw through the drawer box.
All methods have to take into consideration the drawer front style.

 

[Jeff Hein]

20 mm euro drawer front adjusters work awesome and they're fast.

Tim,

Is this what you are referring to? http://www.cabinetmakerssupply.com/drawer_front_adjuster_cabinet_euro_accessories_3098_prd1.htm

 

[jstockman]

Hey guys,

A BIG THANKYOU for all the posts.  I think installing drawer fronts and doors is half art and half technique.  I followed your advice and it looks pretty good.  A few things are not perfect but will do better on my next project - kitchen cabinets.

Again thx a lot.

Jim 

 

[RonMiller]

Can someone explain how those adjustors work?

 

[Sparktrician]

Can someone explain how those adjustors work?

The adjuster is tightly fitted to inside of the drawer front, but the captive 8-32 nut inside the adjuster floats freely, allowing 3/16" of movement such that when the front is loosely screwed to the drawer box, it can be moved up/down, right/left as needed to align the front with other component parts.  Once the alignment is right, the installer tightens the adjuster screw and uses a 1" screw on either side of the adjuster to set the drawer front permanently. 

[smile]

 

[GhostFist]

I've used the double sided tape method with ships to even the spacing. BTW Lee Valley just introduced these guys......http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=66917&cat=1,43456
Cheap quick and handy way to get your spacing right. Never used those Euro adjusters but they look a good idea too.

Word of advice if you're doing the double sided tape method throw a couple of quick clamps on once you're ready to screw, the tape sticks but sometimes (most times) not good enough.

 

[Tim Morris]

Jeff sorry I have been on vacation and haven't logged in. That is exactly what I was talking about. Willy nailed the function, as for installation there is a steel centering dowel that is offered with the adjusters. Drill two 20 mm holes in the back of the drawer front, make sure they will be out of the way of decorative hardware installation, insert the centering dowels in the holes, hold the front in the desired location and then push to make marks in the drawer box. Drill 5mm holes at those locations, drive front adjusters in the holes in the back of the drawer fronts and insert 8-32 screw from inside the box then follow Willy's post. It sounds complicated but once you've done a couple it's really simple.