Drawer Construction 101

When it comes to finding and shopping for furniture, one of the most important things to look at is the type of joinery or construction used.  There are a lot of cheap, wobbly tables, dressers and nightstands out there, and you don't want to get schooled!  The type of drawer construction employed in furniture building makes a huge difference in the overall quality and longevity of a piece of furniture. 

One of the most important things to look at in your search for a great piece of furniture are the drawers.  A few things to remember......

- Drawers should be easy to pull open, and close.  If it feels wobbly or cheap, walk away!

- Wood on wood isn't always good.

- Look at the underside of tabletops to check for corner reinforcement.

- You shouldn't see glue seeping out of joints.  

Here are the best kinds of drawer construction you should look for:

Dovetail: a series of fan shaped joints used to connect drawer fronts and sides

Mortise and Tenon: a joint that utilizes a square hole carved in one of the pieces being joined and a projection that fits the hole in the other.

Metal full extension glides: these are gaining popularity.  Drawer comes completely out which makes it easier to access, and it lasts longer.

Rabbet (or Rebate) and Dado: A piece of wood (called a rabbet) is inserted into a groove (that’s the dado) and is reinforced with glue. This is a common and extremely strong way to join two pieces of wood—it’s often used for joining together large boards like those used in a cabinet, dresser, or bookcase.

Be selective when it comes to wooden furniture, you guys!  It's worth a little extra effort in the shopping process to end up buying something that will last a long time.