Continuing my
kitchen cabinet project, I've just finished the middle cabinet section which hold three containers for trash and recycles. There are two drawers on the top of the cabinet. In this posting, I will describe aligning drawer fronts to achieve a minimal gap. On the left is the completed center section of the
cabinet. Additional cupboards and will be attached on both sides using sliding dovetails.
For the drawer runners, I wanted to use some inexpensive Blum rails that I had purchased but never used. The drawer front needed to be inset in the cabinet frame but the Blum instructions didn't show this. By recessing the rail by the thickness of the drawer front into the cabinet, I was able to accomplish the look I wanted.
The challenge is mounting the drawer front to the drawer with a uniform gap around the drawer. The two screws of the drawer handles hold the oak face to the drawer. I use playing cards as shims to create the required gap around the door. Playing cards are remarkably consistent and accurate. Six cards is very close to ¹/₁₆". I first drill two holes for mounting the handle and then use the cards to center the front in the frame (right). Then, I use the holes to align drilling two holes into the drawer.
Only drill a shallow hole just for alignment purposes. Clamp a scrape piece of wood inside the drawer to prevent blow out from occuring and then finishing drill the holes all the way through.
Next, I will install this section in the kitchen and then construct and install the cupboards.
