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Tip
#67
Basic Drawer Construction
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Fig.
1
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STEP
ONE: Drawer fronts. Construction begins with the drawer
front. Use 3/4" stock and determine the size by measuring
the drawer opening and adding 1/2" to the length and width
-- this allows for all sides to overlap the frame by 1/4".
The drawer
sides are joined to the drawer fronts with a dovetail dado.
To prepare this joint, first cut 5/16" wide x 3/8" deep dadoes,
7/8" from each end of the drawer front (see Fig. 1). These
dadoes allow for the safe and efficient use of the 1/2" dovetail
cutter.
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Fig.
2
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Next,
using a drill press, adjust the dovetail cutter to make a
3/8" depth of cut centered in the dado. Using the miter gauge
for control and the fence as a guide, rout out the dovetail
in each dado (see Fig. 2).
Complete
the drawer front by forming a 3/8" wide x 3/8" deep rabbet
on each edge. This rabbet allows for 1/8" clearance (on all
sides) between the drawer front and the drawer opening.
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Fig.
3
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STEP
TWO: Drawer sides. Use 3/4" stock for the sides and rip
the stock so the width of the sides are equal to the drawer
opening minus 1/4". Cut the sides to length. Using the horizontal
boring mode of the MARK V, cut dovetail tenons to fit the
dovetail dadoes on the front ends of the drawer sides -- (see
Fig. 3). The front end of the drawer side should be even with
the edge of the saw table, and the dovetail cutter should
extend 3/8" over the table. Use the fixture shown (see drawing)
and make several test cuts from both sides to obtain the proper
fit.
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Fig.
4
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CAUTION:
You must slowly pull the stock under the cutter from the back,
thus feeding the stock against the rotation of the cutter.
Next,
cut the rabbets for the back. The width of the rabbets equals
the thickness of the back, and the depth of the rabbet equals
one-half the thickness of the side (see Fig. 4).
STEP
THREE: Drawer backs. For the back, you can use any thickness
of stock. To find the length of the back, dry assemble the
front and sides, then measure the distance between the rabbets.
Cut the back to fit.
Continue
to Steps 4, 5 & 6
Back to Introduction
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