Simple drawer joint

[Tom Dunn]

I would like to make a small nest of drawers.

Nothing fancy, more for parts/junk than for "furniture".

Drawers would be about 6" square, 2-1/2" deep.

I'm wondering about what I might use for a simple, strong joint for fastening the drawer fronts to the sides.
Emphasis on "simple"......:eusa_doh:

Thanks!

 

[Joe Scharle]

Box joints would look good.
I've seen many kitchen cabinet drawers nailed & glues.
Joe

 

[gazzer]

6" square are small drawers so almost any construction will work fine (especially for not so fine furniture). I'd go with a simple glued and nailed rabbet joint, especially if you're using plywood. An upgrade would be a lock rabbet - glued but no nails.

I used to make lock rabbet drawers on the table saw, but bought a lock miter router bit a year or so ago to avoid some of the setup time. Hah! the router bit is just as ornery to get just right.

 

[Tom Dunn]

2-1/2 high, 6 wide, 6 deep is indeed what I was trying to convey.
Those dimensions are not precise, just trying to give a idea of the rough size.......

 

[Gofor]

Is the drawer front overlapping or is it flush? If flush, a locking rabbet woud be strong.
A regular dado set back slightly with false front rabbeted to fit would allow flush or overlapping design. Either would probably be quicker than box joints if you don't have a box joint jig already made. That said, a rabbet using a good glue will probably be strong enough unless you are going to fill it with nails or drill bits, etc.

JMO
Go

 

[Tarhead]

Tom,
If you can get a copy of the current Wood magazine there is an article on drawers. They have a detailed photo and description of a 1/4" lock rabbet.

 

[toolman]

Go with The Rabbet Joint glued and nailed. Very simple. :icon_thum

 

[Travis Porter]

I vote for the rabbet as well. Quick and easy.

 

[Tom Dunn]

Is the drawer front overlapping or is it flush?

Overlapping.........

 

[Travis Porter]

With the rabbet, you can put a false front on it. If that isn't what you want, you could rabbet the front allowing enough for the sides and go from there.