So I built my first set of inset drawers for a closet - three together with no face frame, and only 1/8" between each. I knew it would be a stretch to think they would all fit perfectly, and alas... So my question is, what is the easiest way to fix this since I've already primed and painted the drawer fronts? I have a random orbital sander, and hand plane, and a table saw. I probably don't need to remove more than 1/8" from a couple of places. I'm not sure which tools will dislike the paint the most, or where I'm likely to find even more trouble! All tips and tricks are appreciated.
Need Advice First set of drawers and of course, they're a little "off"
- Thread starter KCH
- Start date
Looks like the drawers are ok but the space they are in is slightly out of square...
Can you try a few shims to push the sides left and right to correct the square or are they fixed in place?
Can you try a few shims to push the sides left and right to correct the square or are they fixed in place?
It appears the problem is how the slides were installed. They have to be parallel and spaced exactly, plus the cabinet needs to be square.
I would pull all the drawers out and check the cabinet box for square. Remove all the slides and reinstall them using spacers to keep opposite slides parallel.
What kinds of slides and how did you install them? I can help you with some tricks on installing after knowing that.
I would pull all the drawers out and check the cabinet box for square. Remove all the slides and reinstall them using spacers to keep opposite slides parallel.
What kinds of slides and how did you install them? I can help you with some tricks on installing after knowing that.
I used the 3 part side mount slides - full extension - generic from Amazon, but had good reviews. I just checked, and the box is definitely a bit out of square, not bad, but that is most certainly contributing. I think it was square before I had to use a lot of shims to level the bottom and when I secured the box to the existing wall on the left, that likely pulled things out further. I did the slide measurements manually, and it was a pain trying to get them to stay perfectly while I installed. One other caveat with this piece is that I built it inside the closet, so I can't remove the box on it's own - it is bigger than the closet opening. I was trying to maximize drawer space and utilize the dead space on the right (which there are still a few more inches of.
So at this point if I'm going for "good enough" while also taking in how to do it differently next time, could I shave the drawer face and learn how to better square my box and install my slides for next time? The whole reason I picked this project is because I did my first drawer (singular) in a pantry shelf and messed it up so badly I felt I had to do something to incorporate everything I learned from that project.
So at this point if I'm going for "good enough" while also taking in how to do it differently next time, could I shave the drawer face and learn how to better square my box and install my slides for next time? The whole reason I picked this project is because I did my first drawer (singular) in a pantry shelf and messed it up so badly I felt I had to do something to incorporate everything I learned from that project.
I wasn't criticizing, just trying to offer advise to help it fit better.
Hope you don't take it the wrong way.
Hope you don't take it the wrong way.
Hey, looks like you did very well for the first time! It sounds like you primed it before doing a test fit? One thing I have learned is to always dry fit before gluing and painting but in this case I don’t think it’s a big deal to deal with the primer. Just pretend like you didn’t prime it and move forward.
To expand on previous comments concerning the frame being out of square I would not give up on that. I think it will be easier to get the drawer faces better if it’s square. Likely the back of the cabinet is square, so focus on the front. You should be able to remove the drawers by separating the slides. Most have a little plastic tab to disengage them. It looks like it’s pretty close to square, so just add shims to the left side at either the top or bottom. Then hopefully you can just trim 1/16” off the top or bottom, (or both) to get the extra space you need for the drawer faces.
To expand on previous comments concerning the frame being out of square I would not give up on that. I think it will be easier to get the drawer faces better if it’s square. Likely the back of the cabinet is square, so focus on the front. You should be able to remove the drawers by separating the slides. Most have a little plastic tab to disengage them. It looks like it’s pretty close to square, so just add shims to the left side at either the top or bottom. Then hopefully you can just trim 1/16” off the top or bottom, (or both) to get the extra space you need for the drawer faces.
Not at all!! I very much appreciate all of the advice! I'm just trying to be lazy on this one and fix my mistakes hoping I won't make the same ones twice. But the thought of taking it all apart isn't very appealing.... Patience is not my virtue!
I should have also added that nothing about that closet is square, so that is probably making it look worse than it is. There is a closet divider on the left that isn't 90 degrees, and zero square corners or straight walls anywhere else in that space. My plan is to put a really small frame on it after I get the drawers in to hide the various gaps. You can see how many shims I had to use on the bottom because the floor slanted down so much from back to front.
Thanks - that was my first course of action and what allowed me to get it to where it is. Unfortunately the box isn't quite big enough
Thank you! Would you suggest trimming with the table saw? I did remove the drawers, removed the screws that secured it to the left wall, and added a couple of shims up there. It helped, but not 100%
The bottom two drawers look pretty good. Since you don’t want to take it apart then shaving a little off the edge may work.
I would start by drawing a line with the drawers installed which would show you the result you want. Then cut less than that line until you’re certain your final cut will be what you want.
If you have a jointer, you can taper your drawer fronts very gradually. Place the end you don’t want to cut on the outfeed side of the cutter and slide left to slightly trim the end that needs to be trimmed. Repeat until the angle is what you want. You might need one complete end-to-end pass to get a clean straight edge. Beware of tear out! Use tape around the end of your cut.
You can do something similar with your table saw with a taper jig. Or build up layers of tape at one end to create the taper you want.
Sneak up on perfection by making tiny cuts.
If you have a jointer, you can taper your drawer fronts very gradually. Place the end you don’t want to cut on the outfeed side of the cutter and slide left to slightly trim the end that needs to be trimmed. Repeat until the angle is what you want. You might need one complete end-to-end pass to get a clean straight edge. Beware of tear out! Use tape around the end of your cut.
You can do something similar with your table saw with a taper jig. Or build up layers of tape at one end to create the taper you want.
Sneak up on perfection by making tiny cuts.
Thanks to all of you for the advice! I'm going to attempt John's suggestion with the tape and table saw tonight. Will let you know how it comes out. Unfortunately I don't have a jointer, but if anyone has an extra one they'd like to get rid of, I'm definitely in the market to build out my workshop!
Are you sure it's the drawers? The shelf that they sit on can cause this too. Make certain that the drawers are square. Then looke carefully at how square the shelves are to the cabinet, before cutting anything.
Charley
Charley
Katharine--If these drawers are inside a closet, maybe you're putting too much time and energy into correcting what is just an aesthetic issue-- the drawers don't align perfectly. If you've got the drawers sliding smoothly and closing properly, declare the project finished. You've learned a lot from this project that will make your next set of drawers turn out perfectly.
Thanks everyone! I got it "fixed" this evening. I ended up using a hand plane so I wouldn't overdo it with my table saw. It also allowed me to work on it in the room instead of going up and down the stairs 25 times. The hardest part of the whole thing was taking the drawer front off and trying to get it back on since I didn't have an opening at the top! I'll post a pic once I get the trim and hardware on. Lesson learned - don't build drawer boxes in tight spaces until you know what you're doing!
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