Shaving down a Drawer

[dad911]

Like this:

[cstreit]

Not really sure why you'd want to shave in your drawers anyway. Kinda metro isn't it?

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by look 171

Safer if you set up a fence and cut off the top of the drawer with a straight trim bit. Another word, run the drawer between the fence and the cutter. The chance for a kick back is reduced greatly. very little tear out.

the openings are set - by the drawer stack on either side

there is no face - nothing comes off

table is about 3 ft. across - I do intend to use a fence

once I've cut off one side, I still have 3 sides to go -- do you like the idea of putting something inside the drawer to hold it at a set ht., as per a post above?

maybe I can push clamp 2x4's in there?

[look 171]

Originally Posted by RWebb

the openings are set - by the drawer stack on either side

there is no face - nothing comes off
The front is part of the drawer box?

table is about 3 ft. across - I do intend to use a fence
If the front is part of the drawer box, then a fence may not work.

once I've cut off one side, I still have 3 sides to go -- do you like the idea of putting something inside the drawer to hold it at a set ht., as per a post above?
No, that's an accident waiting to happen unless you really know your router and when it will draw your work piece into the spinning bit. (hopefully you can let your hand go in time).

maybe I can push clamp 2x4's in there?

The real issue is your drawer front because it sticks out on all four sides(?). Not flush with the drawer box, right? Get me a pic (of the drawer box) will ya

[look 171]

Originally Posted by dad911

Like this:

If you do it that way, you need to have an off set on the fence to support the cut away material on the outfeed side of the fence. Or else, it will rock and create an uneven cut. A small shaving will be ok that way, anything larger then a 1/16" will be affected.

Open the fence and set the distance between the edge of the router's cutting edge and the fence to a specific dimension, and run the drawer box on edge through it, it will come out exactly on all four sides each and every time.

[RWebb]

ok, here is the drawer - it's just a dovetailed box - I want to shave 1/8" off the 4 edges facing the camera

[mossguy]

Not too big a challenge. Buy more tools!!

[john70t]

Originally Posted by look 171

If you do it that way, you need to have an off set on the fence to support the cut away material on the outfeed side of the fence. Or else, it will rock and create an uneven cut.

He could skip a 1/8-1/4" which would leave the offset, then remove that with the chisel/sander.

That router with a fence setup is nice.

[rnln]

a belt grinder?
3 in.x 18 in.Portable Belt Sander-BE318-2 at The Home Depot

[look 171]

Originally Posted by john70t

He could skip a 1/8-1/4" which would leave the offset, then remove that with the chisel/sander.

That router with a fence setup is nice.

Yeah, but where do you stop, 3/4 the way and do the rest by hand? The trick here is to have accurate straight cuts. Hand tools wouldn't really cut it here unless you are really good with them.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by rnln

a belt grinder?
3 in.x 18 in.Portable Belt Sander-BE318-2 at The Home Depot

A belt sander will work, but you really have to have lots of experience with them to get the top dead nuts at 90 degree. 1/4" will take sometime.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by RWebb

ok, here is the drawer - it's just a dovetailed box - I want to shave 1/8" off the 4 edges facing the camera

I still say have a visit your local cabinet shop. it will take me less then one minute on the table saw. Like I said, this should include set up time. How much is your time with, or your skin if you got hurt?

[msk1986911]

use a table saw with a good blade and fence; place the bottom of the drawer against the fence and cut just better than a blade's with off the top.

[cashflyer]

The correct way to do this is to hire a general contractor to manage the project. He will be able to find a suitable subcontractor to make the cabinet opening 1/8" larger, and also cut down the drawer by 1/8".

After you discover that the opening is too large, and that the whole project is a botched mess because the cuts were be made using improper technique and tools, you can then ask the Pelican trust about attorneys, liability limits, etc.

[GDNF2ET]

Originally Posted by look 171

I still say have a visit your local cabinet shop.

^^^^^^^
If they aren't busy , you'll be outa there in no time..Done right too..

[70SATMan]

Go buy a small trim rotary saw along with a fine toothed blade. Some come with an adjustable sliding fence. Make sure you tape the faces of the drawer sides so that you don't scratch. This can be easily done with a hand power tool or block plane.

Heck, in the time spent reading about all the suggestions I could have nearly had it planed down already.

[jyl]

Bring it to PDX the next time you have business here, and we'll use my table saw.

[RWebb]

thx - I have to admit I have not been up to PDX in a few years

a cabinet-maker here would charge me $80 for his table saw cut - this place is full of artists, ya know...

I think I will have a shot at the sideways router table method -- I've used the router off & on for 12 years at least now...

this doesn't seem more dangerous than other router operations -- or does it??

[mossguy]

For <$80 you can buy an adequate bench style table saw and have for the next time(s) you need one.

Table Saws at Harbor Freight Tools

[look 171]

Originally Posted by RWebb

thx - I have to admit I have not been up to PDX in a few years

a cabinet-maker here would charge me $80 for his table saw cut - this place is full of artists, ya know...

I think I will have a shot at the sideways router table method -- I've used the router off & on for 12 years at least now...

this doesn't seem more dangerous than other router operations -- or does it??

$80? You can almost buy a new drawer for that much.

What the total height of the drawer? Set the distance between the cutter and the fence and run it through. Make sure you feed against the rotation of the bit, if not it WILL get you. it should be safe and not too hard to do.