Easiest way to Make Small Drawers - Woodworking

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Another way to cut the folding miter is to use a dado blade tilted to 45 degrees. That's what I was going to do in the first place, before I noticed the V-groove bit. The V-groove bit takes longer to make the cuts, though, and router bits get dull a lot faster than blades.
While it takes some time to cut the folding miters, it takes no time at all to assemble - just fold and tape the miters. This method would work just as well for larger drawers made from thicker plywood, but you'd want to use that dado blade instead of the router bit to speed things up.
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[@JohnHeisz]

Another way to cut the folding miter is to use a dado blade tilted to 45 degrees. That's what I was going to do in the first place, before I noticed the V-groove bit. The V-groove bit takes longer to make the cuts, though, and router bits get dull a lot faster than blades. While it takes some time to cut the folding miters, it takes no time at all to assemble - just fold and tape the miters. This method would work just as well for larger drawers made from thicker plywood, but you'd want to use that dado blade instead of the router bit to speed things up.

[@MRrwmac]

John, I like that drawer seperator idea. Been wanting to try the bend plywood drawer also. Thanks

[@joelhollingsworth2374]

If you had it to do again, would a table saw kerf help the router work more efficiently? It shouldn't be too difficult to keep that kerf within the envelope of the final cut, so long as it's only half or 3/4 the total thickness.

[@JohnHeisz]

@@joelhollingsworth2374 Yes, good idea :)

[@MelbourneClimbingSchool]

My table saw won't take a dado stack (AFAIK), is there a way to accurately do it with a normal blade? Or in this case is the router bit the better option?

[@billparrish4385]

@@MelbourneClimbingSchool I would imagine a regular table saw blade with an ATB grind (each alternating tooth leans left, then right) would work, but you'd have to use 2 different rip fence settings. If you cut a kerf with one of these that's not all the way through, you know the bottom of the groove has 2 'points' with a raised ridge in the middle. So to use that, tilt the blade over at a 45 degree and set the height on a piece of scrap of the same material as your boxes, so that it is just shy of cutting all the way through, with the rip fence set at the shorter distance, from the edge of the blank to the depth of the groove, with the ATB kerf cutting its topmost 'point' into the point of the V-groove. Then flip the scrap blank around, and set the rip fence at a longer distance, equal to going from the top of the V-groove to the opposite edge of the blank, making sure the opposite 'point' of the ATB kerf is nestled up into the point of the first cut, and cut out the remainder of the V-groove. So to batch them out, do all the short 'rip fence distance' cuts on all the blanks first, then flip them around, set the fence to the longer distance, then cut out the remainders of all the V-grooves on that run.

[@JayBates]

I like the up down offset. Gives it some unique visual interest.

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks Jay :)

[@SystemX1983]

@@JohnHeisz you could stick some labels on the guides with the contents of the drawers 😃

[@RickMeasham]

With a face plate added, you'd never know and you regain the horizontal space that dividers usually take up!

[@youtukang]

@@RickMeasham 👍👍😊

[@Matt-my7pz]

Super clever

[@yorgle]

that up-down arrangement is so clever! It's simple, solves a problem, looks neat, and is just so... simple! Love it!

[@youtukang]

😊😊👍

[@thedelawarevalleyworkshop]

I liked the use of the V groove bit to cut the miters for the drawers, it was very clever. Your builds always inspire to try to think of new ways to accomplish woodworking tasks.

[@coreygrua3271]

Cedar fence boards. Just one more example of the versatility of this material and an inspired mind. When I see all the utility that John brings out from wood, I stand deeply in awe.

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

I love the simplicity of this design John. It is something I know I can get several done in just a few hours. Ive been looking for something like this for my craft room and it will be perfect for the leather tooling area. I have tons of snaps in varing sizes and conchs of different styles and many other tiny pieces. I may even make several of these for the beads i use for jewelry making.Thank you for sharing this with us!

[@robd7703]

Sometimes simplicity is genius. You knocked it out out the park with project! Thank you.

[@andrebourque2165]

always a pleasure to watch you work. not only a fine craftsman but an artist.

[@jimmcdougall9973]

The manufacture of the draws is such a unique method. Thanks for the great ideas!

[@keithgoldston2859]

Another great build I love the way you don't always follow the normal the up down of those drawers I belive will be in my shop one day I love it

[@act.13.41]

The up/down drawers are genius. Allowing the drawers to be placed with no divider between them really saves space.

[@constantinosschinas4503]

A bottom rail/tongue for each drawer would do the same and save even more space. Funny looks tho.

[@act.13.41]

@@constantinosschinas4503 Exactly how would that take less space? Thinner? These could have been a bit thinner as well.

[@act.13.41]

@@rd-ch1on I agree. The look is great. I admit that it might not be for everyone, but not everyone will build this. 🙂

[@JohnHeisz]

There's side to side space saving. Doing it this way made it possible to fit all 12 drawers under the CNC. I couldn't do that with dividers between the drawers.

[@timconway2810]

@@rd-ch1on horizontal space is being saved due to the lack of traditional dividers.

[@carenclemmons5002]

You never fail to amaze me with your clever use of positive and negative space in such a way that the new form then functions damn near like magic. Thanks as always for ‘puttin it out there’ for us less creatively inclined splinter gatherers. Stay well and prosper.

[@13thworker45]

John you are master when it comes to building. You keep it simple and make masterpieces. Thank You

[@PatNetherlander]

What a lovely little project John. The upper and downer alternating slider-stops are a great and fast way to use here! Many thanks!

[@thevalhallastudio7255]

Ah I love everything about this. Thank you! So creative and effective, in so few steps too. Looking forward to giving this a try as soon as I get around to building a little router jig 👍

[@lauram9076]

Really cool idea John! I like the technique for making the drawers. The up/down system looks pretty good, there isn't enough high difference to really throw the look off, just enough to please the eye. The grain on that plywood would really stand out with some oil too!

[@awldune]

This drawer design with the staggered guides is very clever!

[@thesplinteredfinger]

That’s what I call thinking outside the box! Very clever John!

[@VideoNOLA]

I've been pushing that method for years, but noticed none of your YT woodworking brethren trying it. Glad to see you're among the very first to take it seriously!

[@jsincoherency]

Compared to other drawer methods, this one has the advantage that you could potentially do it with a CNC machine and get almost ready-made drawers straight off the machine. Just need to glue them up.

[@steved8038]

Again just brilliantly thinking out of the box to produce a useful piece with an unusual twist that is both practical , easy to build and visual pleasing.Thank you.

[@jeromewalton5553]

That was very well done! I really like the drawers staggered, looks really cool.

[@nperson]

clever method for the drawer guides. I watched a video about five years ago on making drawers using a V bit and I made several which are holding up very well.

[@dougprentice1363]

One of the best tips I've learned in last 20 years is tape on miters. So much easier than clamps.

[@LabworksVapes]

Love the simplicity of these drawers - nice work

[@CJWarlock]

That interchanging height of the sitting of drawers - ingenious! It saves quite a lot of horizontal space. Congrats. :) Nice build and a pleasant to watch video. Cheers!

[@MiguelGonzalez-dz2gp]

Best projects ever. Love the way you explain. Thank you.

[@ADVBear]

Have I ever told you how amazing your ideas are? They are.

[@Hateweek1984]

I'm always dumbfounded at all the gadgets you make for your machines.... yours and Jay's videos have helped me on my woodworking journey!

[@MJorgy5]

Unique drawer arrangement. Very space efficient!

[@skf957]

Inventive and well executed, thank you for taking the time to video and edit it.

[@ashokmoghe8035]

That up-down offset is so cool. Thanks for sharing John. Your videos are always inspiring.

[@act.13.41]

Folks, NEVER click follow any of these spammers to other platforms or call the phone numbers they give you.

[@samTollefson]

The up/down dividers are a brilliant idea!

[@TigerCarpenter]

it looks cute and the drawers design is also very impressive, thanks to those bent miters

[@charlieb2812]

Perfect for little drawers that won't need to hold a lot of weight. I like the staggered drawer heights, saves space. Great project John.

[@rd-ch1on]

There is no space savings. Looks cool though

[@KipdoesStuff]

@@rd-ch1on in the total width of the set there is 3.75 inches of saved space not having a divider between each drawer. How do you not understand that?

[@jhc500]

You're really underselling the drawer slide method there. It looks awesome and is perfect for that use case.

[@JohnnyUmphress]

Fantastic idea for small drawers. Now I need to order a sharp point bit.

[@radudelacluj]

Brilliant! Thinking outside of the box (shelf) ...!

[@paulbirkpowlly]

Been using CMT bits and blades since I picked up my unisaw 20 some years ago. best blades and bits I've used.

[@AquaPeet]

Nice drawers! Really like the folding miter joints.

[@harrisonandrew]

Nice job. I would never have thought of using a router bit to make folding mitres - but I will sure give it a go.

[@tdkrei]

Good workJohn, you must lay awake nights thinking of this stuff. Keep on smilng.

[@FormerlyKnownAsAndrew]

You're always elevating things to another level. I made boxes like this using my CNC with a vgroove bit. I prefer making things by hand though. Will definitely give this a go. The other thing I like is that you used a cedar fence board. Recently I been using cedar fence boards for a lot of my projects. Love the way it smells and love the way it looks too.

[@Justicejamesb]

Mr. Heisz love your channel. When I get my shop up and going I'll have to order some plans from you as your knowledge is first-rate!!

[@DJlegionuk]

As a long time subscriber I am very happy you found a sponsor that is relevant to you.

[@ranyalbegwein7470]

Wow!!! I'm going to try it today. Thank you!!!

[@BrianBoniMakes]

Always thought provoking, inspired and rational. Thanks John!

[@bernardmcmahon7434]

Thanks for this. This is great. I love the position of the drawers.

[@madpedalboards]

Love the design and implementation. Great stuff, John.

[@karlgustafson7850]

This is so cool. Both design and technique. Always and ever increasingly jealous of how everything is ready for you jig/tool wise and how precise it all ends up. Thank you as always for the content and inspiration

[@youtukang]

Hii sir

[@MelbourneClimbingSchool]

Love the up-down offsets, and that it means there is no additional wasted space for drawer dividers. I had another thought - putting a shallow groove along the under side of the top panel about 1/2in back from the front edge. And in the top dividers too. That way when you pull the drawers out, they'll tilt down a bit for easier access.

[@act.13.41]

Folks, NEVER click follow any of these spammers to other platforms or call the phone numbers they give you.

[@oddjobbob8742]

Very clever, staggering the drawers so they are put in without dividers, but still kept in place. Thank you for sharing your genius and creativity.

[@johnkennedyswenja]

I hope this goes viral. Thanks for the video John.

[@donaldmumaw]

That is pretty slick 👍

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks :)

[@MichaelCoolidge]

Wow. I have to remember this trick for making drawers. NEAT

[@glenndornak6410]

Great idea using the pointed bit and the drawer dividers.

[@BirdYoumans]

I've heard it said that genius is the ability to perceive the obvious. The simplicity of this design using the up down arrangement to keep the drawers separate in the least amount of space? Genius. Whoda' thunk it!

[@jamisonr]

You always have such clever ideas, and this is no exception. I'll have to keep this trick in the back of my mind.

[@guerillalife]

John your video production skills are high quality... your videos are pleasant to watch. I appreciate the attention to detail (as in your woodworking)

[@davidkelly1634]

Great looking, very functional. Thanks John.

[@chrisanderson4188]

I wish we could love videos. You are one of the most innovative thinkers on KZbin!

[@m.d.e.845]

I miss your woodworking videos. You are a KZbin woodworking legend!

[@MFunkibut]

Beautiful and unique - Nicely done John!

[@WayOutWestx2]

Lovely job, John!

[@brucefoote540]

That "UP-DOWN" was pretty innovative. Cool!

[@MrBez007]

Love the look of this. Great stuff john

[@BLMeredith87]

John your videos never fail to amaze me, I didn't expect much this time I've watched hundreds of drawers being made, but once again yours came out on top, that's genius.

[@youtukang]

Good job

[@andremendes8389]

So satisfying watching your work. Keep it up man. Inspiring.

[@epjtam]

one of the brightest!!!

[@peggyt1243]

This is a lovely and delicate bank of drawers.

[@robertwilson1714]

Such a beautiful table saw, you did an amazing job. Very talented

[@KennethMcGrath]

Brilliant and super practical! Thank you.

[@JH-lo9ut]

Very cool technique! We often build mitered boxes out of MDF for museum displays, I'm gonna try this metod. Btw, a fun method for managing those tiny knobs when cutting them on the table saw. Take the dust bag out of your vacuum cleaner. Clamp down the hose next to the saw blade and the little knobs will be safely collected by the vacuum. Stupid simple.

[@carr869]

I love watching your work. Thanks for the video

[@fishindude72]

Thanks for sharing John!! 👍

[@micklatham3425]

Great construction. Never crossed my mind to use a v bit and the up and down method. Your a very clever man.ill be trying that in my shop this weekend.👍thanx.

[@cutedgebond5125]

Loads of details work involved !!!

[@ZsOtherBrother]

Nice work, really like the idea of alternating guides, thanks.

[@davidblank63]

love the self made router table but it was terrifying watching you use it

[@robertkerby2581]

Great Craftsmanship! Well done!

[@jonno8183]

Have been using this method for years - down to 3mm thick MDF the joints are surprisingly strong due to their close fit - the only thing not mentioned is that the router bit must be a 90° bit - you get odd results with a 60° bit - don't ask how I know.

[@vmoutsop]

Very cool design, what a great way to make small drawers, would have never thought of doing it like that. Thanks.

[@mikesmswoodworking]

Great video as always. I love your voiceover work for these, and the transitions to the ad portion for CMT and the Maker's Mob are seamless.

[@woutdezeeuw1604]

That's a very nice design, thank you for sharing!

[@rafvdp6391]

Beautiful work ( project and video ) and visual appealing. Great work John.👌

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks :)

[@memohughes7463]

I really like this idea! Great video !

[@stepcraftgermany]

Perfect organizer!

[@kevsbuild2807]

Brilliant idea John.

[@magrinney]

Just genius, John!

[@harrisonandrew]

Hi John, I gave it a go. I don’t have a router table and only have a cheap wood trimmer. But with careful clamping and guides, I did a pretty good job. The issue I had was removing the unwanted pieces cleanly, leading to a bit of an untidy fit. I’m thinking it’s because the router bit I used didn’t come to as sharp a point as the one you used. However, this method is a million times better that simply using butt joints or trying to cut the miter on the table saw. I think if I can source a better v-groove cutting bit then the end result may be even better. Thanks for the idea.

[@billmorris2613]

Good afternoon to all from SE Louisiana 28 Jun 22.

[@simonashley9357]

That is brilliant and so simple.

[@bryanwnorton]

Great video! Couple of questions: 1) How close was the final router pass? 2) Also, would the folding method work as well for solid sheets of wood, or just plywood?

[@user-zf4qz4mc2y]

Я восхищена самой идеей! Как нужны эти маленькие ящики!! Мастер великолепный! Спасибо, что раскрыли свои секреты! Счастья Вам и здоровья!!!

[@stephen1137]

Rosa, do you work wood?

[@user-zf4qz4mc2y]

@@stephen1137 юрист

[@user-zf4qz4mc2y]

Но очень люблю различные рукоделия. Были в родне столяры-краснодеревщики. Отсюда тяга к дереву, различным поделкам.

[@alansimpson596]

Great wood working as always.

[@brandonwoodworkersclub4097]

Very nice way to make drawers. Got to love those CMT blades too!

[@williamdoyle649]

Brilliant execution.

[@terrytopliss9506]

Excellent project John.👍👍

[@_rlb]

You always come up with those cool ideas! Very neat.

[@terryholdredge6393]

Elegantly simple.