Throughout this process, I had been worried about making things that took a high level of precision/table saw. I specifically shied away from building drawers.
I had a small space big enough for an awkwardly-shaped drawer, and figured I would take a shot at building a smallish drawer to fit that shape last night using scrap 1/2 inch plywood.
It took me quite awhile, considering:
-My woodworking experience is directly the result of building this trailer.
-I have an inexpensive cordless circular saw, jigsaw, and small band saw as my primary cutting tools.
-I have sanding blocks and a belt sander
To work with this level of slop, I started:
I measured everything a million times, marked everything, then measured and checked.
I cut each piece a little fat so I could sand each straight, flat, and square.
I built a jig using other scrap wood so that I could cut the slot for the bottom of the drawer in the same spot on each piece.
I re-arranged the jig to allow me to cut a lap into the front and rear of the drawer.
I spent way too much time chiseling and sanding the laps.
I dry fitted everything together. Shockingly, the slots for the bottom of the drawer managed to line up, and the measurements in each direction were no more than an 8th off! What a pleasant surprise. For someone like me, an 8th of an inch is effectively square. I sanded stuff more to get it down to a 16th, and called that perfect.
I glued and nailed the joints together and held it all in place with a nylon strap and a couple bar clamps.
This morning, when it was dry, I put a drawer pull on it. I actually and surprisingly fit into the spot it was designed for.
Having another proud of myself moment, even if the drawer is more of a box with a handle (there are no glides or slides for the drawer. I will post a pic when I have a chance.
I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that. -Lloyd Daubler
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