Replies

1. 
   user-64052 | Feb 08, 2011 04:18pm | #1

   resaw and veneer it vertical

   I would make horizontal drawer frt and then veneer them. you will have problems otherwise. you will have expansion and contraction across the drawer frt or in otherwords, instability. it will be a lot weaker for any joinery on those edges. the english were noted for vertical grain on the frt of case goods inc things like pianos but they were always veneered.

   I had to rebuild an old english fallfrt desk years ago and all of the drawer bottoms were put in with the grain runnning frt to back and they were fastened to the sides. it just sucked those sides in like you wouldn't have believed . everything but the drawer frts were replaced with the drawer bottoms running the proper way

   ron

   why do you put up with it?. either you do not know how to say no to a customer or you do not know any different. not meant to be offensive, just fact

2. 
   DonStephan | Feb 08, 2011 08:32pm | #2

   How are you planning to joining the drawer front to the sides? 

   One option would be to make the drawer front core of MDF, which would be ideal interior for veneer.  But lousy for joinery to sides.

   Another option would be to glue the vertical veneer on baltic birch plywood and fill/paint the edges of the plywood.  Wouldn't make great dovetail joints with sides, but can be done.

   Third option would be to make your own walnut plywood and veneer the fronts vertically.  The exposed edges of your walnut plywood would match color with the front (more or less) but still potentially have dovetails in plywood.

   Fourth option would be to veneer on solid horizontal quartersawn walnut, expecting cracks to develop over time.

   Fifth option would be to gently explain that since her wood is so pretty, the nightstands deserve the best chance to last for generations in great condition, which would require horizontal grain drawer fronts?