Drawer build ... it’s time

[hakalugi]

Those of you who have built your own drawers are there any threads or resources you found to be helpful in your research?

I have a biscuit joiner. I have plenty long clamps. I have a cheap tablesaw I have a router. I have built some pretty complex folded horn subwoofers in my past with Baltic birch so I’m not too afraid of the technical skill/process but would rather stand on the shoulders of giants with regard to what you found as practical wisdom and resources to build upon.

Lastly I’m thinking of not making them equal width- I’d rather one on the smaller side which will be pretty much full of recovery gear and tools all the time - this will leave space for a wider one for when I need to secure some weapons or a briefcase and I wanna make a food/bathroom stop with the top off....

 

[76FJ40]

Matt and I just finished a drawer/sleeping platform for his 80 using drawer extensions he picked up from@cruiserhead05 and Baltic Birch from CP Johnson in Culpeper (he stocks 5x5 and 4x8 sheets). We used dados and rabbets for stronger joints on the cabinet and dovetails for the drawer.

OBTW, Titebond Extend glue is your friend for large/complex glue ups.

 

[Von Hayek]

Bob, what you roughly guess materials cost was?

 

[76FJ40]

$120 for a sheet of 1/2" BB (5x5) and a sheet of 3/4" BB (5x5) plus $50 for the drawer slides from Brandon plus ~$10 for miscellaneous supplies I didn't already have.

 

[Jakes40]

I used server slides on mine. It’s nothing fancy I just used 1/2” plywood on mine. But I didn’t intend it to last this long either.

 

[JohnVee]

There are some folks who avoided slides by using long strips of cutting board material on the bottom and sides of the drawers. Route some channels and inlay it. Might buy you a bit of an increase on drawer size over using slides but it obviously has some challenges to overcome, too (needs something to limit extension, won't ever be as smooth, etc).

I built my drawer carcasses (never put drawers in them tho), using your offset method. I scaled them so that the narrower one could could be replaced by the standard Coleman cooler I was using at the time. Worked out well. I ended up finding storage boxes that fit perfectly inside the carcasses, and that's what prevented me from ever building the drawers...less weight, less wasted space. Worked well for my needs but everybody's needs are different. Well, their dreams are, anyway.

Also keep in mind that you can cut circles or slots in the sides to further cut down on weight without affecting strength.

 

[TRFCSUX]

Hey Haka, you should reach out to @fireball for suggestions on hardware. He builds an outstanding box with very nice hardware. All of the Pa guys have a Ben built box you could look at for reference.
personally I have build five or six of these for different trucks over the years and they always turn out to heavy and bulky. I have gone mostly to storage tubs and straps to hold them instead.

 

[Explorer4Hire]

I used teflon runners as opposed to slides on my FJ. quiet and smooth. Ordered off amazon and cut. Countersink screws and you are good. I just watched a drifta video and did exactly the same thing. That was for an FJ though...