DIY Network

Egyptian Dresser, Part 6: Drawer Runners From "Wood Works" episode WWK-709

The drawer-runners, made from oak for durability, position and guide the drawers in the dresser's inner case.

NOTE: Images on this page may be enlarged for enhanced viewing simply by clicking on them.

In this special two-episode installment of Wood Works, David Marks builds an Egyptian-inspired dresser from mahogany. The dresser features a cove-molded crown, hand-turned ebony drawer-pulls, drawer-runners of solid oak and a potassium dichromate treatment to darken and enrich the wood finish.

In this second segment, the placement of the drawer-runners is calculated and the runners are installed in the inner case.

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	Figure A
	Figure B

Drawer Runners

The maple drawers have now been built, but still lack the mahogany fronts. Using the drawer-runners created earlier from solid oak, the exact placement for the runners and drawers can now be established.

• First, install the two bottom runners in the case with wood screws. Once the bottom runners are installed, set the bottom drawer on the runners, then set the next pair of runners on top of the drawer (figure A).

• Attach the second set of runners with wood screws, then set the middle drawer on top of those runners.

  Repeat the process to attach the runners for the top drawer (figure B). Now it should be clear why the back-panel of the dresser was not installed earlier. If it had been installed, it would restrict access to the inside of the inner case for installing the runners. In this way, the runners can easily and precisely be joined to the case.
  

  	Figure C
  	Figure D

  
  

• For the top runners, use double-stick tape to temporarily attach the runners in order to test and confirm their position in relation to the top drawer. Once you've worked out the exact positioning, secure the top runners with wood screws (figure C).
  
  
• At this point, all of the drawers should fit together well inside the case (figure D).

• With spacing worked out for the drawers and runners, unscrew the wood screws and remove the runners. Then you can add yellow glue to the backs of the runners and install them permanently to the case.

• With the work on the runners complete, the mahogany drawer-fronts can be aligned onto the maple drawers. You'll want about 1/32" clearance between the drawers. Thin wood shims can be used as a guide.

• Once the spacing is worked out, secure the mahogany faces to the maple drawers using yellow glue and wood-screws installed from the inside surface of the maple drawer -- using the pilot holes drilled earlier.
  

  	The drawer runners (made earlier) shown in cross-section.

Mahogany stock
Maple stock
Oak stock
Ebony stock
Maple plywood stock
MDF for templates and mockup
Table saw; cross-cut sled
Tapering jig
Multi-router
Jointer
Power planer
Lathe
Table router
Plunge router
Dovetail jig
Biscuit jointer
Drill press
Chop saw
Clamps
Yellow woodworker's glue
Slow-setting resin glue
Japanese hand-saw
Dead-blow hammer
Brass pins
Hand scraper
#80 cabinet-scraper
Sandpaper, various grits
Wood screws
Double-stick tape
Straight-edge
Tape measure
Carpenter's pencil
Safety glasses or goggles

Safety Alert: Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses, and follow proper safety precautions, when working with wood, power-tools, saws, drills, routers, etc.

In the segment that follows, the decorative cove-molding for the top of the dresser is created and assembled.

RESOURCES :

The Small Wood Shop (The Best of Fine Woodworking)
Author: Helen Albert (Editor)
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561580619

Woodworking Techniques: Best Methods for Building Furniture from Fine Woodworking
Author: Editors of Fine Woodworking magazine
Publisher: Taunton Press
ISBN: 1561583456

David Marks Website
David Marks, DIY's Wood Works host, is a master woodworker. For more information on cut sizes and project details, please contact him via his Website at www.djmarks.com

Woodworker's Guide to Wood: Softwoods, Hardwoods, Plywoods, Composite, Veneers
Model: 080836878
Author: Rick Peters
(2000)
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com

Fine Woodworking
A magazine devoted to high-quality craftsmanship in woodworking.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com