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Box Joint Problems

4K views 7 replies 7 participants last post by  mjeisenbaugh 
#1 ·
Building drawers for bathroom vanity, made box joint jig in lue of DT jig at Lowes. Jig seems to be working well, spacing, ect., but bit is eating 15/32 plywood something awful, plys separating, tear-out, not acceptable. I fed slowly and delibertly, Ready to scrape the BJ and go to Lowes for the Dovetail jig. Can I expect similar results if using the 25/32 plywood? Thanks.
 
#2 ·
Hi bretb

You may want to forget the plywood for the drawers,,,use some Poplar or maybe some good pine without knots...if you take a look at cabinets/drawers from the Mfg. they use staples to hold the box as one unitl the glue joint is dry with plywood/PB/CB....
1/4" /1/2" Plywood works great for the bottoms but that's it...
If you are using vern.plywood for the cabinet just put on a drawer front to match the rest of the cabinet...over the pine/poplar

Silk purse out of a cows ear...thing, box/dovetail joints are one of the best joints but not in plywood...

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#3 ·
Not to disagree with what Bj said because, he's right. :)

But, if you really want to use plywood then I suggest using a table saw, you'll get less tear-out that way.
 
#7 · (Edited)
#8 ·
Solid woods vs Plywood for box joints

The best way to create box joints for drawers I believe is the old method of finger joints. You can make them either using your router or buying the right type blade for a table saw.

Now I tend to agree with BJ on plywood is basicaly good for bottoms, and the use of solid woods for face, sides and back, but if your gonna use plywood all around the finger joints are the method of choice.
However I would use cabinet grade plywood rather then say Arrouca Pine, or other standard sanded pine.

Now hardwoods allow you a much more solid joint and edge grain look to your drawers, Oak, Birch, Maple, and Poplar are great to work with and stain real nice as well, draw back is its usualy sold by the foot and not like select pine sold by the whole length of piece.

Hint: I never shoped at Lowes so I do not know if they do the same. I work at Home Depot in the lumber dept, we always carry what is known as "Cull lumber" usually peices cut to 3' to 5' lengths and sold for as low as $0.51 cents a peice, its a nice way to get wood cheap!
 
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