Hey everyone! I'm just getting started with building some large drawers, and I'm trying to choose the right birch plywood thickness. The dimensions of the drawers will be about 950mm x 750mm x 250mm (around 37" x 29.5" x 10"). I want them to be sturdy enough to hold a decent amount of weight in the middle without being overly heavy or overbuilt. I plan to use 750mm undermount runners, and the cabinet itself will be made from 18mm plywood. What thickness do you think would be best for this size? Thanks in advance for any advice!
6 Answers
I suggest going with 18mm for the front and 12mm for the sides and back, using grooves for the bottom. Use a 6 or 9mm bottom to handle whatever weight you expect, which should keep it light but sturdy.
15mm offers better sturdiness and can handle bigger screws, but I made large drawers at 12mm birch with 6mm bottoms and they worked fine. So it really depends on how much weight you want to hold.
That's comforting to know, thanks!
I'd probably stick with 12mm but add a few reinforcement strips on the underside to prevent sagging. It'll save you weight and still provide support. I’ve done it before, but I’m not a pro, so take it with a grain of salt if someone more experienced suggests otherwise.
That sounds like a solid plan! I'll give that a shot.
If it were me, I'd choose 16mm. I've made some drawers for pots that are 39"x21"x8" using 12mm for the bottom, and they feel pretty sturdy. I think 16mm would give you a good balance of strength without being too heavy.
Thanks for the input!
I built some large drawers using 12mm birch, and they've held up well. For your size, I'd recommend going with 15mm or 16mm just to be safe, since your drawers will be a bit larger. Better to err on the side of caution with size!
Thanks for the reassurance! It seems like 18mm might be too much, and 12mm could work, but 15/16mm sounds safer.
I usually build all my drawer boxes and cabinets out of 18mm. This way, I can use leftover pieces for other drawers, too. Just make sure to double-check the specifications on your drawer runners since they vary based on thickness.
Great idea! I'll sketch something out based on that.