Replies

1. 
   jpe52 | Apr 22, 2021 09:32pm | #1

   I guess I'm not a purist, but the cherry dresser I just finished has
   7 drawers with cherry fronts, poplar sides and backs but the drawer bottoms,
   and the back plane of the unit are 1/4 inch baltic birch ply.

2. 
   bilyo | Apr 22, 2021 09:52pm | #2

   I'm generally with jpe52. But, I think it depends on your purpose. If you are building a reproduction piece, then you probably should build it the way they did when the original was built; probably with solid wood bottoms and backs. If you are building a contemporary piece for use today and in the future, then what jpe52 said is just fine; even if modeled after some of the old pieces. You only do it the way someone else says to do it if they are a paying customer. Otherwise, it is yours to do with as you like. Nothing is degrading except sloppy work.

3. 
   hoovermd | Apr 22, 2021 11:00pm | #3

   I'm always torn... 1/4 Baltic birch is as good a drawer bottom as they come, but I just did solid bottoms of 3/8 poplar for a toolbox I'm building.

   I'm not sure how I feel about mixing the traditional with the superior but...

4. 
   john_c2 | Apr 23, 2021 04:20am | #4

   1/2 inch plywood for a drawer bottom, unless it is a huge drawer, is way overkill.

   I made a lot of drawer bottoms from 1/4 ply, but it was unsatisfying. I just didn't like them. If anyone does use 1/4 ply, use Baltic birch, and not the thin home center crap.

   All of my drawers since are made with eastern white pine, hand beveled. Thickness varies according to the size of the drawer.

   My drawer sides have gotten thinner too. Usually too thin to groove for the bottom. I use drawer slips instead these days.

5. 
   _mj_ | Apr 23, 2021 07:11am | #5

   I like plywood bottoms because I can groove all the way around and capture the bottom with no worry about movement. It's your cabinet, do as you want. You'll be last one that gives it a thought. I agree that 1/2" sounds really heavy for a drawer bottom.

6. 
   user-7624188 | Apr 26, 2021 09:18pm | #6

   There is nothing degrading about using any nice material that does the job for secondary pieces. That and I find birch plywood to be much more stable over time when used for drawer bottoms.

7. 
   Nicholas36 | May 03, 2021 05:31am | #7

   Thanks for the information keep sharing such informative post keep suggesting such post.

   MyAARPMedicare

8. 
   user-7848843 | May 03, 2021 07:21am | #8

   Cedar for the bottoms, (did I ever tell you I have great smelling drawers), and Cherry faced mdf for the back. If you edge the faced mdf you can use it on top & sides also.

9. 
   DRBWWing | May 03, 2021 10:19am | #9

   I did solid wood bottoms in a dresser build.

   Who knows and who cares? Nobody.

   But, I draw the line at side mount ball bearing slides. You might convince me of undermounts, though.

   My thinking is I think if they had plywood way back when, they'd have used it.