houstonwoodworker Posted September 29, 2018 Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 I’m doing my first wood on wood drawers. How much space should I leave between the drawers and the side runners? 1/16” or 1/32”? Or should they actually be touching just slightly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted September 29, 2018 Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 Couple questions? Do you live in a climate that has large humidity changes? Are you a hand tool woodworker? I have both here in MN so I would start with a 1/32" and then use my shoulder plane to dial it in if it gets tight. One other thing Is wax both the runner and the drawer groove makes a big difference especially if you want to stay on the tight tolerance side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted September 29, 2018 Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 I’m doing one now and it’s between 1/16 and 1/32, using playing cards as spacers to get there. Will you be using a false front? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonwoodworker Posted September 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 I’m in Houston, so very humid and I’m not a hand tool user yet although I have started. I don’t have a shoulder plane. Also, no false front. How many playing cards did you use? And I will definitely be using wax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonwoodworker Posted September 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 Should I do all of this fitting after I apply finish or before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted September 29, 2018 Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 Definately before the finish. The playing cards are just spacers that hold my drawer in place, side to side and up and down so that I can locate my runner on the case. On the runners, I like to err a little on the high side as you can always plane the top of a smidge, allowing the drawer to drop down if need be. Be sure and attach the runner with screws only to allow for adjustment or replacement. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted September 29, 2018 Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 2 hours ago, K Cooper said: Definitely before the finish. The playing cards are just spacers that hold my drawer in place, side to side and up and down so that I can locate my runner on the case. On the runners, I like to err a little on the high side as you can always plane the top of a smidge, allowing the drawer to drop down if need be. Be sure and attach the runner with screws only to allow for adjustment or replacement. Coop has you covered here! The only thing I would add is that I rarely finish the inside of my drawers just the fronts and wax the runners, just personal preference i suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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