PISTON-FIT DRAWERS

Create snug-fitting, smooth-sliding drawers for your fine project builds.

- HUY HUYNH with RANDY MAXEY

Drawers provide practical storage space, but for woodworkers they do much more. A well-built, well-fitting drawer brings satisfaction every time it's opened and closed.

The term "piston-fit" often describes an inset drawer that's perfectly sized for a case opening, much like a piston in its bore. This means silky-smooth action with minimum side-to-side and vertical clearance and just a puff of air resistance to show off your skill. Building such a drawer requires careful sizing and a bit of finessing with a few hand tools, a household iron, and paraffin wax.

SIZING THE DRAWER PARTS

Fitting a drawer starts with milling stock for the drawer front, sides, and back to width. Measure the drawer opening height, and rip the drawer parts ¹/32" narrower. Leave all the pieces extra long.

The length of the drawer front is the most important dimension and requires a near-exact fit. To mark this dimension, lay the drawer front down on the case opening and run a marking knife along the inside wall of the case [Photo A].