How to Build a Drawer Box | Easy Step by Step Guide @WoodshopDiaries

Uploaded March 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago

Hey friends, welcome to part 2 of the Drawer Building Series--How to Build a Drawer Box!

If you haven't already checked out part 1--how to measure and size drawer fronts and drawer boxes, check it out here: youtu.be/-o6c_lQm9FE

In this video, I'm going to share my drawer building process. Obviously, there are MANY ways to build a drawer, so this isn't the only way. But, this way of assembling drawer boxes is simple and requires few tools, and it produces sturdy, strong, and nice looking results that are repeatable and easy to build.

Check out additional details on building drawer boxes here: woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-build-a-drawer-box

Grab the printable drawer building guide here: woodshop-diaries.myshopify.com/products/basic-drawer-printable-building-guide

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Some resources you may find helpful:
How to build and install drawers: woodshopdiaries.com/theres-no-wrong-way-to-make-a-drawer
How to cut plywood sheets: woodshopdiaries.com/cut-down-plywood-sheets-with-circular-saw
How to apply iron on edge banding: woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-cover-plywood-edges
How to use a pocket hole jig: woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-use-pocket-hole-jig

Questions I anticipate receiving that I will go ahead and answer here:

Q: Why do I have a busted lip in this video?
A: Great question...My tripod got stuck and I tried pulling up on it to loosen it and it came loose...right into my face. I've officially been injured in my shop more often by camera equipment than power tools...Nice. I used to have a $12 tripod that worked great for years, but I convinced myself I needed a new $150 tripod. Guess which one I hate more...

Q: How much weight can a drawer box hold?
A: How much a drawer box can hold will largely depend on the type of slides you’re using–not necessarily the drawer box itself.
Most standard side mount ball bearing drawer slides are rated for 100 lbs. However, some heavier duty slides are rated for more. Check manufacturer’s specs on your specific slides.
I weigh more than 100 lbs and I made a video a few years back showing how I can stand in a drawer that I built using the dado method shared in this video and the bottom holds just fine. Here's a link to that video: tiktok.com/@woodshopdiaries/video/6832371051255647493
So if the drawer box can hold over 100 lbs, then you’re most likely limited by the rating of the slides, not the structure of the drawer box.

Q: (From the pocket hole haters) Why don't I build drawers using dovetails and/or box joints?
A: See answer above. If my pocket hole drawer box can hold more weight than the slides can, then why do I need to make building a drawer box more complicated and time consuming just to make it stronger? The slides will still max out before the drawer box will. The pocket holes are hidden in the end result once they're installed, so no one's going to know or see them unless they take the drawer out and look at the back. So...Who cares? If you enjoy making box joints and dovetails, go for it! If you just want a functional drawer...pocket holes do the job (and they do it well).

Q: Do I use wood glue with my pocket holes?
A: No. You certainly can, though. It's not going to hurt anything...it just may not really help anything. But it will definitely make the job a lot messier ha!

Q: Why don't I use 1/2" plywood?
A: I answer that here: youtu.be/l3qLL4vekow?t=1014

Tools & Materials:
*Affiliate links below

Tools:
Miter Saw: homedepot.sjv.io/b3DkDx
Drill/Driver: homedepot.sjv.io/Aoo6Ya
Circular Saw (only need if using plywood): homedepot.sjv.io/AooaYx
Kreg Rip Cut (optional): amzn.to/3Y38tDQ
Pocket Hole Jig (optional): amzn.to/32eoPBY
Table Saw or Router (optional): no link--this particular model is discontinued. It's a Grizzly 10" cabinet saw
Kreg MultiMark: amzn.to/3mLZkCl

Materials:
3/4" plywood: homedepot.sjv.io/9rR95
1/4" plywood: homedepot.sjv.io/3vVYr
Edge Banding: amzn.to/3nx64RT
Drawer Slides: amzn.to/3ZL2GEk

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:36 What do I build a drawer box with?
01:23 What tools do I need to build a drawer box?
02:17 Cutting Drawer Box Sides
03:12 A note about plywood thickness
04:35 Cutting dadoes for drawer box bottoms
06:51 Sizing and cutting drawer bottom panel
07:48 Applying Edge Banding to Drawer box
08:18 Drilling pocket holes for drawer box assembly
08:53 Assemble the drawer box
09:19 Checking Drawer Box For Square
10:35 Alternative assembly without dadoes
11:00 Conclusion

How to Build a Drawer Box | Easy Step by Step Guide

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$How to Build a Wardrobe Armoire Cabinet {Using 2x4s and Plywood!} The first 1000 people to use this link will receive a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership: https://skl.sh/sharawoodshopdiaries05211 Welcome back to the 5th and final build to go in my Dads matching office furniture series! This tall pantry cabinet/armoire/wardrobe cabinet build was made using standard 2x4 boards and some birch plywood. Even with lumber prices so high these days, this build still came out under $250 and I have plenty of leftover plywood to use for my next project :) Grab the details on the build here: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-wardrobe-armoire-cabinet-2x4s-and-plywood/ And the printable plans here: https://woodshop-diaries.myshopify.com/collections/printable-pdf-building-plans/products/armoire-wardrobe-cabinet-plan If youve missed any of the previous pieces in the matching set, check them out here: DIY Writing Desk: https://youtu.be/tatIcqcEGXk DIY Display Shelf with Drawers: https://youtu.be/V_4yJbjSh6E DIY Computer Desk: https://youtu.be/5sDnzE7lFm0 DIY File Cabinet: https://youtu.be/qqT-mcHixB4 Grab the 5 plan bundle pack printable building plans here: https://woodshop-diaries.myshopify.com/collections/printable-pdf-building-plans/products/matching-office-furniture-plan-bundle You may find these posts/videos helpful in the build process: How to Make Your Own 2x2s: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/woodworking-tips-square-edges-make-your-own-2x2s/ How to Cut Down Plywood Sheets: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/cut-down-plywood-sheets-with-circular-saw/ How to Use a Pocket Hole Jig: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-use-pocket-hole-jig/ How to Apply Edge Banding to Plywood: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-cover-plywood-edges/ 4 Ways to Plug a Pocket Hole: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/4-ways-to-fill-a-pocket-hole/ 10 Must Have Tools for Cabinet Building: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/must-have-tools-for-cabinet-furniture-making/ How to Build and Install A Drawer: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/theres-no-wrong-way-to-make-a-drawer/ Affiliate links below... Tools and Materials: Tools: Circular Saw: https://homedepot.sjv.io/AooaYx Kreg Rip Cut: https://amzn.to/3hjgqTF Kreg AccuCut: https://amzn.to/3vJtDJ2 Miter Saw: https://homedepot.sjv.io/yd96v Table Saw Drill/Driver: https://homedepot.sjv.io/2G6Za Pocket Hole Jig: https://amzn.to/3tpzeTe & https://amzn.to/3b9Wlv7 Shelf Pin Jig: https://amzn.to/3tqm0Wm Router & Rabbeting Bit: https://homedepot.sjv.io/vqZAA & https://homedepot.sjv.io/P0OkBM Staple gun Materials: (1 + 1/2) Sheet 3/4 birch plywood: https://homedepot.sjv.io/9rR95 (1) sheet 1/4 plywood: https://homedepot.sjv.io/3vVYr (8) 2x4x8 boards (use the off cuts to make your own 2x2s or purchase (2) 2x2x8 boards): https://homedepot.sjv.io/kr42M (8) 8 ft sticks cove Molding: https://homedepot.sjv.io/e4vDdr (1) 14 drawer slide: https://amzn.to/3vONXZw (2) pair pivot hinges: https://amzn.to/3vONZR8 Edge Banding: https://amzn.to/2PUsBe5 2 1/2 pocket hole screws: https://amzn.to/3vNZDvY 1 1/4 pocket hole screws: https://amzn.to/3eZPQfq 2 wood screws Wood Glue Shelf pins: https://amzn.to/3esWTyh Minwax Helmsman Clear Coat: https://amzn.to/3b6Jgmh$

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$How to Build a Closet System {Drawers, Cubbies, & Belt/Tie Rack!} In this video, I’ll show you how to build your own built in (or stand alone, if you prefer) DIY Closet System! For dimensions and details, check out the FREE building plans here: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/built-in-diy-closet-system/ And find the printable plans with cut list and plywood cut diagram here: https://woodshop-diaries.myshopify.com/collections/armoires/products/basic-closet-system-build-plans Now, I know the video shows this DIY closet system standing on its own–and that’s definitely a possibility. This piece can stand alone in a room. But it was actually designed to fit into a nook in a friend’s house that just needed some extra storage space. The nook was 4 ft wide, 2 ft deep, and 8 ft tall. So I built this piece slightly smaller to give some wiggle room to avoid issues during installation. The overall size here is 47 wide, 20 deep, and 7 ft tall. Check out my other closet system video here: https://youtu.be/wyClGvb_Vxs Follow Woodshop Diaries: Website: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/ Shop: https://woodshop-diaries.myshopify.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@woodshopdiaries? Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woodshopdiaries Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woodshopdiaries/ Additional Resources You May Find Helpful For This Build: How to Cut Down Plywood Sheets: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/cut-down-plywood-sheets-with-circular-saw/ How to Use a Pocket Hole Jig: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-use-pocket-hole-jig/ How to Apply Edge Banding: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-cover-plywood-edges/ How to Build and Install Drawers: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/theres-no-wrong-way-to-make-a-drawer/ How to Build Cabinets: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-build-your-own-diy-kitchen-cabinets-2/ Tools and Materials Used in this Video: Affiliate links Tools: Circular saw: https://homedepot.sjv.io/AooaYx Kreg Rip Cut & AccuCut (optional cutting guides to use with circular saw): https://amzn.to/3hXCjGy Miter Saw (optional…you can use circular saw for everything if you want) Table saw (also optional) Drill/Driver: https://homedepot.sjv.io/2G6Za Kreg Pocket Hole Jig: https://amzn.to/3e3DiUK Dowel Jig: https://amzn.to/3wzzS2a Clamps Stapler (optional) Materials: (4) sheets ¾″ plywood: https://homedepot.sjv.io/9rR95 (2) sheets ¼″ plywood: https://homedepot.sjv.io/3vVYr (1) 1″ x 48″ wooden dowel: https://homedepot.sjv.io/BXxPmW (4) pair 16″ drawer slides (I buy the bulk pack because it’s cheaper): https://amzn.to/2VovmXr (1) pair 14″ drawer slides: https://amzn.to/3ARkRMq ⅜″ dowels: https://amzn.to/2TVwwtc 1 ¼″ pocket hole screws: https://amzn.to/3htT8K5 1 ¼″ screws Wood Glue: https://amzn.to/3xwrDW9 RapidFuse Glue: https://amzn.to/3hBmO8x Edge Banding: https://amzn.to/3k4Vscc (5) modern handles: https://amzn.to/3hx9ouc 3″ screws (for securing to wall when complete) Wood Putty: https://amzn.to/3wur1is Clear Coat Finish: https://amzn.to/36z86rX$

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