How to Make Small Drawers

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⚙️ SHOW NOTES - EPISODE #163: There’s something about a “miniature” version of something that is so compelling. It’s as if all the substance of the original size was compressed into the smaller, making it more precious somehow. In this episode we will practice the art of making a small version of a drawer. They are fun little objects to make and the payoff is they offer a more meaningful place to keep something special to us. I’ve got just the spot.
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LIVE EVENTS are filmed in the shop of Tom McLaughlin, host of TV's Classic Woodworking and Shop Night Live. Tom loves to pass on the craft of woodworking by creating projects to present in live video form backed by his over 30-years of experience making fine custom furniture.
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[@darrellsr0526]

Awesome!!! Truly enjoyed this video. It will help me while I make a jewelry box for my wife. Thanks for sharing!

[@madjidbelkadi7348]

BRAVO et merci pour votre large générosité en nous livrant toute votre riche et grande expérience sans contre partie aucune. vraiment merci beaucoup car j'ai appris en ce qui me concerne beaucoup de vos sympathiques vidéos.

[@cospittner3526]

Really great video as always! Your process is outstanding.

[@chriskovaly6634]

Great episode. The amount of care and effort you and the camera lady put into each episode is amazing, and I’m grateful for all that I have learned watching you.

[@EpicWoodworking]

Thanks Chris! I have to agree with you about the camera lady, where would I be without her?…I know there would be no Shop Night Live. We love making the content so we sure appreciate knowing you’re watching and enjoying it. 👍😎

[@awol5626]

thanks, I stumbled on your channel and thank you

[@roman_le]

Nice drawer.
I use 4mm plywood bottom for such small drawers.

[@inspectr1949]

So very grateful being there in person, thank you so much Kris and Tom, such gracious hosts.

[@EpicWoodworking]

We loved having you here! Thanks for making the trip.

[@cwradio4571]

I love watching these videos you make, I can’t wait to get started in making small draws for my Dremel parts an tools.

[@EpicWoodworking]

Awesome, thank you so much. Those little drawers are fun to make 👍😎

[@jerrystark6766]

Another excellent session. If the task is approached methodically, small drawers are not difficult to make, they allow one to use smaller pieces of special wood that have been hiding in the shop, and they add real beauty, function, and value to small boxes and chests. Over the years I have made quite a few small drawers for such applications and your session tonight brought back a lot of pleasant memories.
Thanks to you both. 👍👍

[@EpicWoodworking]

Thanks Jerry well said! 👍

[@douglasbrown3493]

When cutting e tail boards at the same time tape them together so you don't have to to align then every time they come out of the vise!

[@EpicWoodworking]

Thanks Doug, good tip. I find myself weighing the time it takes to add the step of applying the tape, given I only need them to stay aligned when I turn on the side to make the end cuts on the tails…and almost always I can keep them aligned by squeezing them together during repositioning. If they do slip and I need to realign, I find I can do that faster than applying tape. But maybe I am misunderstanding your suggestion, I will keep it in mind next time I cut dovetails (which will in fact be today) and see if I can implement your idea. Thank you for helping me get better! 👍😎

[@paulgerasim]

Well deserved like and sub. I dozed off and woke up to catch the second half, but I'm glad I did. This was very satisfying and informative. Also, I very much appreciate the prep work that kept my attention through the relatively fast paced steps.

[@EpicWoodworking]

Thanks Paul, I appreciate that, even though you dosed off! I know the feeling too 😎 That was a fun presentation, especially given the live audience we were hosting in the shop that night. 👍

[@alangknowles]

Flawlessly covered a drawer but it took longer than 60 min!
😉 Well done.

[@EpicWoodworking]

Haha 😂, thanks! I wonder if I could have made it without the questions? 😎

[@dpmeyer4867]

thanks

[@EpicWoodworking]

My pleasure Darin! 👍

[@victoryak86]

Hey Tom. Great session! A lot of things covered in a short amt of time as well. Just a question about the bottom panel. In general is it better to have the grain side to side as you did, because the exp/ contraction is more in the other direction? I noticed the screw was there for that reason. I guess there could be a chance of the drawer jamming if the grain ran the other way?thx. I learn a ton from these videos👍👍

[@EpicWoodworking]

Yes, you got that right. The orientation of the grain to the drawer bottom is all about how wood moves seasonally. And the lightly snugged screw in the back allows for seasonal expansion and contraction out the back. If you went the other way, the drawer bottom could expand and tighten the fit during humid months.
Hope that helps and makes sense! 👍

[@sawdustwoodchips]

Great episode!! I have a small drawer I made using a what I call a French dovetail' will send an image via e-mail.

[@EpicWoodworking]

Great, thanks! I look forward to see ing your photos 👍

[@johnlandry7988]

I enjoy your methods and videos. I’m curious about the hand tools you use, could you put links in the description? When doing chisel/mortise work I notice you using a wood is good mallet. Would you suggest a 20 or 30 oz mallet and why
Thanks

[@CameraLady]

Hi John, If you open the Description text below the video screen you’ll see a heading called Episode Links. The very first link will take you to a page on our website which lists many common resources and tools Tom regularly uses. Look under Mallet for the Wood is Good link. Tom’s is a 20 oz. Hope that helps.