Replies

1. 
   jonsherryl | Sep 12, 2004 04:52am | #1

   Neil, both ash and yellow poplar are reasonable choices for drawer sides. Ash is denser and has better wear resistance, but it is a ring porous wood and more likely to cause runs in clothing made of sheer fabrics (like women's underwear). Price wise, traditionally yellow poplar has been the cheaper choice, but there is now a glut of ash on the market (due to the emerald ash borer)...So, the choice is yours, as to which you think is better, give how the piece will be used.

   As for drawer bottoms, the size you quote is borderline big for a 1/4" bottom, but if the items you intend to put in the drawer are light in weight, it's probably adequate. You might want to consider gluing a rail (from front to back) under the center of the drawer bottom, especially if you run the face veneer grain of the ply parallel to the drawer front (in other words, side to side as opposed to front to back. This would be even more important if you were using a 3-ply panel for the bottoms (like 5mm lauan), but Baltic birch is a little more rigid than these cheaper panels.

1. 
   wop | Sep 13, 2004 11:46pm | #6

     I always have a great amount of respect for a man who has lots of experience with womens underware (as long as he's not wearing it).

                                                                                      Philip

1. 
   jonsherryl | Sep 14, 2004 03:28am | #7

   Philip, I know what you mean. I considered majoring in it in college, but finally decided a business degree would pay off better down the road. :O)

2. 
   Dave45 | Sep 12, 2004 05:32am | #2

   For a drawer that size, I would definitely use 1/2" - unless it's less than 6" deep.  A drawer that size would practically beg SWBMO to use it for an anvil collection - lol

1. 
   jonsherryl | Sep 12, 2004 03:11pm | #3

   Dave, quit bellyaching...junk jewelry is just as heavy...and at least anvils have a practical use. :O)

1. 
   Dave45 | Sep 12, 2004 03:38pm | #4

   I've never had much luck convincing SWMBO that the "collectables" can actually be used. - lol

3. 
   AlanTurner | Sep 13, 2004 11:37pm | #5

   Neil,

   For a bedroom dresser, I think 1/4" BB should be fine at that size. Heck, I used 12mm BB for some 10" deep shop drawers, that hold about 150#@.

   Alan

   http://www.alanturnerfurnituremaker.com