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When I make a drawer bottom out of plywood I usually attached the piece with a few brads to the back board. Obviously solid wood will expand more than plywood, so what the best way to attach the bottom?
(Background: 1/4″ poplar, bottoms slips into 1/4″ dados on sides and front, grain runs parallel to the front and back)
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Ron,
My understanding of the traditional way to build a drawer with a solid wood bottom is to make sure the grain of the bottom runs parallel to the front of the drawer. You glue the bottom into the groove in the front drawer and cut the bottom large enough that it extends beyond the back of the drawer by 1/8 to 1/4" (depending upon the front-to-back depth of the drawer)and allow it to float. That will allow for seasonal movement while not developing any openings in the bottom.
Mark Blumer (East Lansing, MI)
*I have made in excess of 100 drawer bottoms from solid wood, and I just nail them with small brads along the back edge. The groove at the front will give you some room for expansion and contraction. I also seal my drawer bottoms with a thin shellac, especially the end grain, with the hopes of excluding any moisture. So far I have no problems reported to me, using this method.
*That's a typical and traditional method Rob. As Mark said, with the grain runing side to side. The only variation I use on yours is a preference to fixing them with slot screw(s) driven up into the bottom edge of the drawer back. It makes it a bit easier to remove the bottom a hundred or so years down the road to facilitate repairs to the runners, assuming we're talking traditional drawers that is. Another reason not to glue them in of course,....for removal later. Interestingly, up until about 1725±, towards the end of the walnut period in British, i.e., mostly English, furniture (can't say for American practices) the grain of the bottom usually ran front to back, see Charles H Hayward, Antique or Fake for examples. Sliante, RJ
*It is also, quite common with American furniture to see drawer bottoms with the grain running parallel with the sides. Many of the narrow drawers on Newport pieces (Highboys Bureau tables, etc.) and most Pembroke tables are done this way, among others. I have done this also; when making accurate reproductions, making sure that I use quatersawn stock, and sealing them carefully.
*No glue at all in the grooves, or anywhere else. One brad in the very middle of the back of the drawer. Shove the panel tight in the front groove, clamp lightly from front to back, drive the brad, remove the clamps.Basically the same approach as Rob, but fewer fasteners. This is one instance where you want to fight your instinct to cinch something up tighter than a tick. I'm happy if the drawer has a slight amount of panel rattle in the winter.
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