Carpentry and Woodworking - drawer stock
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Bob Hut
02-12-05, 09:34 AM
I am putting a few drawers in a cabinet and was wondering if 1/2" MDF would be suitable to make the dwawers out of. I know I can use regular 3/4" hardwood, but don't want anything that thick, and I don't have access to a plainer. Any help would be appreciated.
Bob Hut
Bob Hut
XSleeper
02-12-05, 02:49 PM
Bob,
it really depends how nice you want these cabinets to be. The problem with 1/2" MDF is that it likes to split when you nail into the edge grain. You would have to use a lot of glue and maybe 23 ga. pin nails. If you dado the sides and the back to accept a 1/4" bottom, I'd recommend running a hot glue gun around the bottom once it's assembled to hold everything together.
1/2" melamine or veneered particle board would be the next grade up, in my opinion, and will still make for a pretty cheap drawer (in more ways than one.)
Better yet, you might be able to find some 1/2" birch veneer AB plywood, that might have enough plys to remain straight without the tendency to warp.
But, as you mentioned, solid wood is really the best way to go, in my opinion. If 3/4 is too thick, I'm sure you can find some 1/2" stock (such as poplar) at a lumber mill, HD, Lowes, wherever you plan on shopping. It will already be planed down for you. Best part of going to a local lumber mill is you skip the middle man and can get whatever species of wood is cheapest.
it really depends how nice you want these cabinets to be. The problem with 1/2" MDF is that it likes to split when you nail into the edge grain. You would have to use a lot of glue and maybe 23 ga. pin nails. If you dado the sides and the back to accept a 1/4" bottom, I'd recommend running a hot glue gun around the bottom once it's assembled to hold everything together.
1/2" melamine or veneered particle board would be the next grade up, in my opinion, and will still make for a pretty cheap drawer (in more ways than one.)
Better yet, you might be able to find some 1/2" birch veneer AB plywood, that might have enough plys to remain straight without the tendency to warp.
But, as you mentioned, solid wood is really the best way to go, in my opinion. If 3/4 is too thick, I'm sure you can find some 1/2" stock (such as poplar) at a lumber mill, HD, Lowes, wherever you plan on shopping. It will already be planed down for you. Best part of going to a local lumber mill is you skip the middle man and can get whatever species of wood is cheapest.
Dave_D1945
02-12-05, 04:21 PM
I make most of my drawers from 1/2" birch plywood. Unless your drawers are really big, that should work fine.
If you have a decent lumberyard nearby, they might have (or be able to get) 1/2" birch or poplar.
If you have a decent lumberyard nearby, they might have (or be able to get) 1/2" birch or poplar.
Herm
02-13-05, 12:49 AM
Dave mentioned 1/2' birch plywood. I would go for the baltic birch plywood. it doesn't show any voids when you cut or shape it, and the edges look good without banding, and it's very dimensionally stable, because it has 9 plys. I usually cut dado's in the sides to attach front and back, but i have also dovetailed it.
it normally comes in 60" x 60" sheets for about $40.
it normally comes in 60" x 60" sheets for about $40.