Drawer dimension help

[MilDoc]

About to attempt my first drawer. It will fit into a cabinet opening, frameless, over bottom and under a shelf. Slides require 1/2" clearance each side; 5/8" top; 1/4" bottom; with a 5/64" setback from front edge. Opening is 20 1/16 wide; 8 7/16 high; 26 5/8 deep. So I figure the drawer should be:

20 1/16 wide - 1/2 each side = 19 1/16" wide
8 7/16 High - 5/8 top - 1/4 bottom = 7 9/16" high
26 5/8 deep - 5/64 front offset = 26 5/64" deep

I'm pretty sure the math is correct, but would you leave a little more clearance or try to hit the above drawer dimensions exactly? The width seems pretty set by the bottom mount drawer slide.

The cabinet is birch plywood, drawer will be 1/2" poplar with 1/4" birch bottom. I think a bit more clearance should be allowed in height and depth, but how mUch?

Still trying to get the big picture on drawers and doors! Thanks!

[Popeye]

G'morning Paul,
For starters unless you have full extension drawer guides you don't want the drawer near that deep. You won't be able to reach into the back of it. I wouldn't make it more than 20" maybe even alittle less.
An inch clearence on the height seems a bit more than I'd do. I'd think maybe 8- 8 1/4". I don't understand the 5/8" top dimension. Pat

[Pappy]

Top clearance may be needed to lift the drawer to install/remove it from the slides.

[monte]

quote:Originally posted by Pappy

Top clearance may be needed to lift the drawer to install/remove it from the slides.

Depending on the slides used this is usually required for some of them.

[Tom Miller]

quote:Originally posted by MilDoc

26 5/8 deep - 5/64 front offset = 26 5/64" deep

Probably just a typo, but the result should be 26 35/64

I'd leave at least 1/2" or more clearance in back. You especially don't want to take a chance that the drawer hits the back before it hits the stops.

Also, it's hard to say for sure about other dimensions without knowing what type of slides, etc. I, too, was scratching my head about the top clearance, but I'm guessing Pappy nailed it?

Drawers are fun, but there sure are a lot of little things to learn on the first few!

Regards,
Tom

[MilDoc]

I believe Pappy is right. The 5/8" top clearance comes from the drawer slide instructions. And yeah, that was a typo on the length.

Thanks for all the advice! I'll be building it this weekend and hope I don't create TOO much wood for the scrap pile!

[monte]

Keep us posted on your results. I think you'll be fine.

[JimD]

You want to aim a bit on the small side for the drawer width. The slides I have used say 1/2 per side +1/32 -0. In other words, you can allow up to an extra 1/32 clearance and have the slide work OK but if you are even 1/64 under on the clearance, you will have to remove the material or put up with a sticky drawer. You can cheat a little on the height - at least on the slides I have used - but have to aim a little big on the side clearance.

Jim

[jx67]

I am also working on some drawers. The 5/8" top clearance is important only if you want to remove the drawer without tilting. If you don't use up the whole length of the slides and don't mind tilting when you remove it, you can theoretically have no clearance on the top. Having said that, the self closing mechanism on many of the slides do require 1/32" top clearance.

[MilDoc]

Thanks for the help to all! Posted pic under Finished Projects!