Easiest way to Make Small Drawers - Woodworking

[@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]

😊😊👍

[@weejim48]

Very good little project. When I worked in a cabinetmakers we had a twin rail saw with 4 small blades that made the 45 degree cuts . It was from the 1960’ and was an extremely dangerous machine. It caught many an experienced machinist out. 🇬🇧👍👍

[@jdbigsur5503]

I tried this today to make a small pencil box. So easy! And the miters fit together perfectly. I love tips like this! Thanks! I will be using this again to make a small parts cabinet.

[@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!

[@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.

[@thesplinteredfinger]

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

[@DJlegionuk]

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

[@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?

[@mr.p9882]

@@KipdoesStuff How about the vertical height? Do you not see that wasted space?

[@awldune]

This drawer design with the staggered guides is very clever!

[@m.d.e.845]

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

[@jimmcdougall9973]

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

[@ADVBear]

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

[@robd7703]

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

[@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.

[@johnkennedyswenja]

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

[@peggyt1243]

This is a lovely and delicate bank of drawers.

[@jhc500]

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

[@tdkrei]

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

[@radudelacluj]

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

[@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!

[@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!

[@samTollefson]

The up/down dividers are a brilliant idea!

[@AquaPeet]

Nice drawers! Really like the folding miter joints.

[@brucefoote540]

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

[@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.

[@maddog3080]

Very nicely designed and made, love the simplicity of it!👍👍

[@bernardmcmahon7434]

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

[@davidblank63]

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

[@andrebourque2165]

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

[@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.

[@MichaelCoolidge]

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

[@13thworker45]

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

[@dougprentice1363]

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

[@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

[@robertwilson1714]

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

[@paulbirkpowlly]

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

[@art2sculpt866]

as a new wood worker , you inspire me , thank you

[@art2sculpt866]

awesome thank you

[@skh7791]

I'm really digging the background tunes.

[@TigerCarpenter]

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

[@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!

[@JWimpy]

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

[@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

[@terristroh3965]

That’s not just a good storage space but a cool looking one at that

[@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.

[@glenndornak6410]

Great idea using the pointed bit and the drawer dividers.

[@MJorgy5]

Unique drawer arrangement. Very space efficient!

[@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.

[@donaldmumaw]

That is pretty slick 👍

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks :)

[@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.

[@lights6833]

I like all the home made tools and machines.

[@rafvdp6391]

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

[@JohnHeisz]

Thanks :)

[@carr869]

I love watching your work. Thanks for the video

[@laroseauxboisrosewoodwoodw8585]

😇😂😱wow John that’s clever and i like that the “dividers” work for 3 things at once 👍🏼❤️🇨🇦

[@MiguelGonzalez-dz2gp]

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

[@RohitKulshreshtha]

Such a cool idea for small parts storage

[@jeromewalton5553]

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

[@cutedgebond5125]

Loads of details work involved !!!

[@MFunkibut]

Beautiful and unique - Nicely done John!

[@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.

[@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.

[@MrBez007]

Love the look of this. Great stuff john

[@woutdezeeuw1604]

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

[@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.

[@davidkelly1634]

Great looking, very functional. Thanks John.

[@billmorris2613]

Good afternoon to all from SE Louisiana 28 Jun 22.

[@jonno2000]

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.

[@andremendes8389]

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

[@_rlb]

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

[@kevsbuild2807]

Brilliant idea John.

[@bigburlymikesmswoodworking]

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.

[@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.

[@shroomy7199]

what a bloody awesome project Thank you for sharing

[@РозаВафина-л6и]

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?

[@РозаВафина-л6и]

@@stephen1137 юрист

[@РозаВафина-л6и]

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

[@ranyalbegwein7470]

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

[@robertkerby2581]

Great Craftsmanship! Well done!

[@chrisj2848]

Thats an awesome little box making trick. Ill have to give that a whirl. 👍

[@epjtam]

one of the brightest!!!

[@vmoutsop]

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

[@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!

[@gingertom56]

Fiddlie but you made it look so simple. I was busy looking at your home made tools.

[@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.

[@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.

[@larrywong6331]

Genius, don't need clamps you always have innovative ideas.

[@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!

[@timpedzinski230]

I'm not OCD but I would have planned so all the knobs were at the same height. I do like the idea for guiding the drawers that way. A lot less work than deviders between the drawers. Nice job John!

[@youtukang]

👍👍

[@ZsOtherBrother]

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

[@Generalsnow69]

New sub, new dad. Living in a small 550sqft house and wanted to make a crib that could mount to the wall next to or onto bed. Don’t know where to start. Thought I’d give you some inspiration lol

[@brandonwoodworkersclub4097]

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

[@williamdoyle649]

Brilliant execution.

[@silveravnt]

Maybe I'll try CMT again. The last router bit i bought from them, the roller bearing cooked pretty quickly. I have 20 year old craftsman ones that still work perfectly.

[@youtukang]

Hello friend

[@simonashley9357]

That is brilliant and so simple.

[@terrytopliss9506]

Excellent project John.👍👍

[@timdoyon1964]

Very nice! You are a very skilled craftsman!

[@magrinney]

Just genius, John!

[@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.

[@negotiableaffections]

ingenius design John.

[@Malba1776]

AS USUAL great ideas n creativity , thanx again !!!!