Web frames, drawer support methods

[Nate Perkins]

Hi,

I'm working on a machinist's style tool cabinet, similar to the one in "The Toolbox Book," by Jim Tolpin. I've got little experience and I'm looking for information on drawer supports.

Basically I'm confused on when it's best to use side-mounted drawer guides as opposed to regular web frames. I'm also wondering if there's a rule of thumb for the minimum thickness of a web frame, depending on how much weight it has to support.

If anyone can point me to a general resource (book, etc), I'd appreciate it.

Thanks, Nate Perkins Ft Collins, CO

[Leon]

Nate, I almost always use web frames as I always have a divider between drawers. The web frame helps to keep every thing is square also IMHO. I always build them 3/4" thick and center 1/4" plywood in the field of the frame. I have in the past built a center slide down the center of the drawer and the web frame but have in recent years switched to building the cabinets, chests, or what ever with tighter tolerances.

Now, that said, if I build a cheaper unit and have to cut costs for the customer, I use the side mounted full extension slides.

[Unisaw A100]

Side mounted slides are best when space (you lose and inchish) isn't a consideration.

The "normal" minimum for a web frame is 3/4" thick with full size cabinets. For a Gerstner style too chest you could go down to 1/2" thick. Also, consider that the drawers are actually supported at the spot where the web frame meets the sides.

Wish I could.

UA100

[George]

With proper guides you'll get better support for the open drawer, of course, but if it's period or pattern you're after, you can be assured by the pedigree that there's some merit in the old ways.

[Nate Perkins]

Excellent, thanks very much. The replies by you and the other poster are exactly what I was looking for. This is a Gerstner style tool chest, and I think I'll use 1/2" webs.

Cheers, Nate

[Paul Kierstead]

I'd like to say thanks too. I am in the process of designing a printer stand. I stock quite a few kinds of paper in various sizes and wanted a lot of thin drawers and pretty much had the exact same question on my mind and was about to ask it when you did..

Paul Kierstead