Need help with Drawer Face and Pull Install

[curt boyer]

Dan shim the drawer fronts where you want them then shoot 23ga pins to attach it to the drawer box. It's easy to hide the pin holes in stained oak. Then you can mount the drawer fronts with the screws of your choice. When you add the handles you will have at least four screws connecting the drawer front to the box which is going to hold really well. When the drawer fronts are over 6" in height I put four screws in the corners to keep the drawer in position and to spread the the pulling force. I've tried a lot of drilling fixtures and jigs for drilling cabinet door and drawers with varying success. I would recommend using a center point measuring tape, combination squares to locate hardware holes, and a slightly larger brad point drill bit than the screw. Once you tape all the doors and drawers and mark with the squares it moves pretty fast.
Good luck
Curt

 

[Dan Clark]

_Harry, MasterCabMan,

I appreciate your feedback and agree with you.  Quite strongly.  The only issue is that both of you have experience with installing cabinet drawer faces and pulls.    So you can quickly make judgement calls about the easiest, fastest, and best way to do it.  And that includes all of the subtle details that you've learned along the way.

While I have decent woodworking skills, the problem is that I have zero experience installing drawer fronts.  None.  And the downside of screwing up (pardon the pun) is really DOWN.  So I'm sweating the details.

Curt, this is very good feedback especially about using four screws on the large drawer.  One of the drawers is 12" deep, so I'll try using additional screws.   

Given all the feedback, this process seems easiest to me:

1) Measure and mark drawer pull holes on blue tape in the center of the drawer front.

2) Drill drawer pull holes in drawer fronts using my (new) drill press. 

3) Install drawer fronts with adjustment screws in large diameter holes and align drawers.

4) When aligned, tighten adjustment screws and install attachment screws.  (I may shoot a 23g pin before tightening the  attachment  screws to ensure that nothing moves around.)

5) Using pre-drilled drawer pull holes as guides, drill through drawer box.  Install drawer pulls.

Thanks,

Dan.