17th-century-style Side-hung Drawers

The top drawer of the Sawyer cupboard, dovetailed and nailed. That joint stays put. Photo by Gavin Ashworth The following is excerpted from Peter Follansbee’s latest book, “17th-century Essex County Cupboard.” Making the side-hung drawers is a fun challenge. I don’t do it often enough to have a systematic step-by-step approach; I’ve done it this way and that over the years. First off, the stock I use for the drawers is all radially riven and planed well ahead of time so it’s nice and dry. The drawer sides in particular need to be good, clear stock. After assembling the case, I take some final passes with a sharp plane to size the drawer fronts to their openings. Three of the drawers have applied mouldings and turnings decorating the fronts. This work can be done once the drawers are assembled. The second drawer has a carved front, and I do that work before assembly. I’ll address the carving separately. Let’s look at the drawer construction. It might confound some modern sensibilities.…