Drawer repair

[Sailor]

What material can be used to replace a broken bottom in an old (75+years)chest of drawers?
The slot is 1/4-inch thick. I would like to use something off-the-shelf; not a planed-down board.

[atgcpaul]

If you're lucky enough to be able to slide the old bottom out the back, then
I'd use 1/4" plywood--although it will be a little loose. If the drawer is
supposed to hold heavy items or is large, then you could step up to 1/2"
ply, rabbet the edges to leave you a 1/4" tongue then slide that into place.

If the bottom is trapped on all 4 sides, then you could nibble away the bottom
of the back of the drawer with a dado blade. Then use the 1/4" or 1/2" ply.

Paul

[cabinetman]

If you're lucky enough to be able to slide the old bottom out the back, then
I'd use 1/4" plywood--although it will be a little loose. If the drawer is
supposed to hold heavy items or is large, then you could step up to 1/2"
ply, rabbet the edges to leave you a 1/4" tongue then slide that into place.

If the bottom is trapped on all 4 sides, then you could nibble away the bottom
of the back of the drawer with a dado blade. Then use the 1/4" or 1/2" ply.

Paul

That's what I'd suggest too. This is a perfect example why drawers should have a short back to begin with. If the bottom can be slid out and a new piece of 1/4" is too thin to fit snug, it can be shimmed underneath. If the back of the drawer is the same height as the sides, cut it off to the top of the groove, but not through the sides.

Measuring for a new bottom should allow the bottom to fit tight enough into the front and sides to square the drawer when it is inserted. To measure the front to back I use a steel rule, like a yardstick, or a folding rule, and push it all the way down the side grooves to the front, and measure to the back of the drawer. It can be left a little long so that in the event it gets damaged, it can be grabbed by a pliers and pulled out.

If a thicker bottom is needed, as Paul mentioned, the lip created by the rabbet can be made to fit the groove.
.

[Sailor]

Drawer repair

Paul,

The old bottom was broken and the lip of the original rabbet was also broken so the bottom fell out. The 1/4-inch plywood should fit; if it is too loose I will do as you suggest - rabbet a piece of 1/2-inch plywood. I have already rabbeted a new piece and glued it to the side of the drawer. Only three sides are rabbeted so it will be easy to slide a new bottom in.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Don