Question regarding drawers

[BradW]

The recent posts on home made drawer systems has prompted me into action. I am building a plywood drawer attached to a frame by drawer slides. My question is: Do you screw the slides to the drawer or use through bolts? Will screws hold up to corrugations. Any information will be gratefully received.

[clive22]

Hi

In my experience with timber screws, coach screws perform better over time than through bolts. As the timber shrinks and swells when the weather changes as it does it loosens through bolts and they come loose. You have to checking them

That said, you need a decent thickness and timber density so the screw threads can get a good bit on the fibres. I would choose high grade plywood and would pay attention to avoid any grain defects (knots, shimmies, gum, cavities, etc). when cutting the drawer side panels.


Clive

[Xtreme]

Screws are a lot easier and should do the job OK, however -
1. Use parallel thread screws, not tapered shank wood screws.
2. Give the thread a squirt of wood glue when installing.
3. Space the screws reasonably close - not just two per slide.

HTH

[phill 130]

I used 7mm C-D ply for the draws (3) and the base and top with 7 compartments which lift up with piano hinges.
All the corners (joins) I sandwitched together with 1-1/4" externally and 1" internal aluminim angle and fixed it all together with 3/16" pop rivets.

I was told that this method wouldn't last one trip.

That was back in 2006 and it's all still as good as new, works perfect and is very light weight.

[Benz]

when I did mine we used sikaflex as well as timber crews for the runners. Just had to make sure the sikaflex didn't get into the runners

I can stand on the end of the draws at full extension but I did use the 200kg runners and 19mm ply.

this made my draws heavy but extremely solid. I have even stacked 700kgs worth of beer kegs on top (not in) of my draws in the ute a few times without any issues.

[BradW]

Thanks to all for the replies. I was going to use bolts until I started buying them- looked like bolts were going to ber dearest part of the drawers. Screwed and glued it will be. Thankyou.