aromatic cedar for drawers?

[LinuxRandal]

Anyone ever used cedar for drawers? I have some left from a project that never happened and may be building a dresser/baby changing table.

Thanks

[dbhost]

Haven't used Cedar for drawers before, but a word of caution. As you have most likely noticed, Cedar is insanely soft. I would NOT use cedar on anything that will take any sort of load. I already need to redo the base of my workbench that I foolishly built with Cedar... (too light, moves too much, flexes etc...)

[iceman61]

you could always build the drawer, then line the inside with cedar. Im thinking just the drawer bottoms would be sufficient.

[LinuxRandal]

you could always build the drawer, then line the inside with cedar. Im thinking just the drawer bottoms would be sufficient.

Actually the backs and bottoms were what I was considering. Maybe the front as well (build a box then screw the face frame on through it).

I was thinking for the outside, route it down to a drawer bottom thickness, and leave the middle raised and unfinished, so it could be sanded for the scent over the years (is that a bad idea).

Thanks all

[cabinetman]

The odor may be overwhelming for drawers, depending on what you put in them. Traditionally, aromatic cedar doesn't get a finish. The odor does dissipate over time, and can be revitalized by a scrub with bronze wool.

I wouldn't use it for clothing, especially infant wear. Besides the smell, there could be allergic/sensitivity issues.
.

[LCHIEN]

the lining would be enough, it's the surface area, not the total weight that counts most. The cedar will lose its aroma over time, and can be revitalized as someone said by sanding or roughing up a bit. Some people really like it.

[Bill in Buena Park]

Regarding the OP's concept and question, I was wondering if this would work for drawer box side panels. Not sure of planned drawer size or type of joinery... But is AC strong enough to support a bottom panel in a dado? Any thought on stability issues?

[Tamarack]

Aromatic Cedar oil is available to renew the scent more easily and more cleanly than sanding.

Paul