building drawer units

xoxjt86 · Post by **xoxjt86** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:05 pm

ok my question about draw runners was a little vague! i used to work in a joinery workshop for a bit when i left school and was helping to build a few drawer units. when it came to positioning the draw runners on the sides of the units the joiner i was working with used a jig he cut to fix the runners into place e.g he'd fit the bottom runner then place the jig on top of that one, place another runner on top of the jig an fix that and so on.

i remember him telling me how to work it all out but cant actually remember how to work it out!!! it was 7 years ago an i havent touched a tool since!

so how do you determine were the runners go is it the height of the unit divided by how many draws u want or soemthing like that?!

if im not making any sense here any advice on building a unit 1000mm high with four draws in it would be greatly appreciated!!

thanks

jon

Tryanything · Post by **Tryanything** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:46 pm

Suggestion for 1m high unit using bottom fix drawer runners

Notice draw height difference (not draw front) this is to allow for the
carcass top and bottom

Jigs would only be of use for multiple units

xoxjt86 · Post by **xoxjt86** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 1:04 am

thanks that makes it a lot easier! is that meant to be a 10 mm gap at the top instead of 20 because that takes the unit to 1010mm?

also how did u work that out?? id like to be able to learn so i could build any size unit with any amount of draws is there a rule to stick to?

thanks again

Tryanything · Post by **Tryanything** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 4:12 am

Sorry my mistake, it is actually the height of the bottom draw that is
wrong, should have been 212mm, the reason for the 20mm at the top is
you need a bigger gap at the top to be able drop the draw in on the side
runners

A lot of working out is gained through experience and knowing what
products are on the market

When doing a one off project l do a sketch with the basic measurements
required then transfer these onto a lengh of timber called a rod, which is
basicly a lengh of prepared 50 x 25

Start off by marking the overall height, then the thickness of top and
bottom, then draw front sizes required at this point you will be able to get
a rough idea of the draw sizes in relation to the draw fronts and there
position

The idea of a rod is so that you can measure things out and make
adjustments before actually marking or cutting anything, you can then
use it to mark off or check measurements on the timber sections being
worked

Example, if l had made a rod for the above drawing then l would have
noticed the mistake

xoxjt86 · Post by **xoxjt86** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 12:30 pm

very much appreciated!

i will be starting this on monday now!!