My only info to date on drawer slips has been current writings. Apparently there were two basic types, “flush” approx 3/4″ x 3/4″ and “quadrant” that was taller than it was wide, with the inside upper corner coved, beveled, or rounded over. (Don’t know if “quadrant” applied to all three edge treatments or just the latter.) But again that was from recent sources.
I can’t recall seeing any pictures of antique drawers with slips and I don’t have any heritage woodworking texts that might describe their design and use. Can anyone provide some historical info to satisfy my curiosity? Thanks. I’ll also post at the Society of American Period Furniture Makers when/if my registration is accepted.
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"Encyclopedia Of furniture
"Encyclopedia Of furniture making" Ernest Joyce, revised by Alan Peters. isbn 0-8069-6440--5, 1987, sterling
ron
That's the one "classic"
That's the one "classic" woodworking book I have, and which I checked for info.
Drawer slips are found on some American period furniture, usually by a recently arrived British maker. They are VERY common on English pieces to this day.
The purpose of slips is to allow use of thin drawer sides while having a wide area of contact to minimize wear on the drawer runners
Dick
it also eliminates. cracking along the drawer bottom groove as that is a weak spot. I do quite a bit of restoration
ron
page 244-5 in the revised edition
ron
Newport RI case furniture apparently was commonly fitted with drawer slips. The practice is mentioned in Nutting's Furniture Treasury, Vol III, and illustrated in Jeffrey Greene's American Furniture of the 18th Century.
Ray
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