Step by Step Photo Tutorial on Assembling Drawer Boxes

How to Assemble Drawer Boxes Used In My Plans

Assembling drawer boxes is very easy but sometimes, I wonder if the instructions I’m writing are easy to understand. I know how I want the instructions to “read” but sometimes the translation gets lots by the time it gets to my hands – unless I’m holding a drill, of course! (Ha ha!!)

Anyway, I’ve put together a photo tutorial on how to assemble the drawer boxes used in my plans. In future plans, I’ll be referring to this tutorial in case my “translation” doesn’t make sense!

Start by drilling pocket holes in each end of the drawer box sides, as well as all four edges of the bottom.

The drawer front will usually overhang the drawer box by about 3/8″ on each side. This allows for a 1/2″ clearance on each side of the drawer box for the slide hardware, as well as a 1/8″ gap around each side of the drawer front. Draw the placement lines for the drawer box on the back of the drawer front. Also, pre-drill the holes for the drawer pulls. If you clamp a scrap board to the back of the piece being drilled into, there will be no tearout on the back side!

Attach the sides to the bottom and secure using glue with 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws through the holes in the bottom.

Attach the back to the bottom and sides, securing with glue and 1-1/4″ pocket holes through the bottom and sides.

Position the drawer box on the piece for the drawer front and the previously drawn lines (the bottom of the drawer box will be flush with the bottom of the drawer front). Secure using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Voila! Easy as pie!! Right?

Have questions about how to assemble the drawer boxes used in my plans? Leave a comment below!

Originally posted 2013-02-19 08:00:36.