Hey friends, welcome to part 2 of the Drawer Building Series--How to Build a Drawer Box!

If you haven't already checked out part 1--how to measure and size drawer fronts and drawer boxes, check it out here:    • How to Measure and Size Drawer Fronts...  

In this video, I'm going to share my drawer building process. Obviously, there are MANY ways to build a drawer, so this isn't the only way. But, this way of assembling drawer boxes is simple and requires few tools, and it produces sturdy, strong, and nice looking results that are repeatable and easy to build.

Check out additional details on building drawer boxes here: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-t...

Grab the printable drawer building guide here: https://woodshop-diaries.myshopify.co...

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Some resources you may find helpful:
How to build and install drawers: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/there...
How to cut plywood sheets: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/cut-d...
How to apply iron on edge banding: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-t...
How to use a pocket hole jig: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-t...

Questions I anticipate receiving that I will go ahead and answer here:

Q: Why do I have a busted lip in this video?
A: Great question...My tripod got stuck and I tried pulling up on it to loosen it and it came loose...right into my face. I've officially been injured in my shop more often by camera equipment than power tools...Nice. I used to have a $12 tripod that worked great for years, but I convinced myself I needed a new $150 tripod. Guess which one I hate more...

Q: How much weight can a drawer box hold?
A: How much a drawer box can hold will largely depend on the type of slides you’re using–not necessarily the drawer box itself.
Most standard side mount ball bearing drawer slides are rated for 100 lbs. However, some heavier duty slides are rated for more. Check manufacturer’s specs on your specific slides.
I weigh more than 100 lbs and I made a video a few years back showing how I can stand in a drawer that I built using the dado method shared in this video and the bottom holds just fine. Here's a link to that video: https://www.tiktok.com/@woodshopdiari...
So if the drawer box can hold over 100 lbs, then you’re most likely limited by the rating of the slides, not the structure of the drawer box.

Q: (From the pocket hole haters) Why don't I build drawers using dovetails and/or box joints?
A: See answer above. If my pocket hole drawer box can hold more weight than the slides can, then why do I need to make building a drawer box more complicated and time consuming just to make it stronger? The slides will still max out before the drawer box will. The pocket holes are hidden in the end result once they're installed, so no one's going to know or see them unless they take the drawer out and look at the back. So...Who cares? If you enjoy making box joints and dovetails, go for it! If you just want a functional drawer...pocket holes do the job (and they do it well).

Q: Do I use wood glue with my pocket holes?
A: No. You certainly can, though. It's not going to hurt anything...it just may not really help anything. But it will definitely make the job a lot messier ha!

Q: Why don't I use 1/2" plywood?
A: I answer that here:    • Answering 21 of the Most Asked Questi...  

Tools & Materials:
*Affiliate links below

Tools:
Miter Saw: https://homedepot.sjv.io/b3DkDx
Drill/Driver: https://homedepot.sjv.io/Aoo6Ya
Circular Saw (only need if using plywood): https://homedepot.sjv.io/AooaYx
Kreg Rip Cut (optional): https://amzn.to/3Y38tDQ
Pocket Hole Jig (optional): https://amzn.to/32eoPBY
Table Saw or Router (optional): no link--this particular model is discontinued. It's a Grizzly 10" cabinet saw
Kreg MultiMark: https://amzn.to/3mLZkCl

Materials:
3/4" plywood: https://homedepot.sjv.io/9rR95
1/4" plywood: https://homedepot.sjv.io/3vVYr
Edge Banding: https://amzn.to/3nx64RT
Drawer Slides: https://amzn.to/3ZL2GEk

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:36 What do I build a drawer box with?
01:23 What tools do I need to build a drawer box?
02:17 Cutting Drawer Box Sides
03:12 A note about plywood thickness
04:35 Cutting dadoes for drawer box bottoms
06:51 Sizing and cutting drawer bottom panel
07:48 Applying Edge Banding to Drawer box
08:18 Drilling pocket holes for drawer box assembly
08:53 Assemble the drawer box
09:19 Checking Drawer Box For Square
10:35 Alternative assembly without dadoes
11:00 Conclusion