May 21, 2013
America's Premier Dovetail Drawer Company
Custom Options > Drawer Bottoms
Drawer Bottoms
   Bottom Thickness
  • B14) 1/4" Bottoms: for light duty drawers (Available in all species)
    1/4" bottoms are let into a 1/4" groove on all four sides
  • B38) 3/8" Bottoms: for drawers over 24" or heavy duty use
    3/8" bottoms are let into a 3/8" groove on all four sides
  • B12) 1/2" Bottoms: for drawers with spans over 36"
    1/2" bottoms are rabbeted into a 3/8" groove on all four sides
   Bottom Placement
  • Standard Bottoms Recess is 1/2" up from the bottom edge of the drawer
  • Other placement options are 1/4" & 3/8" up from the bottom edge
  • Bottoms can also be stapled on or rabbeted in flush upon request
   Bottom Types
B14-12
 B14-38
 B14-14
 B14-R
 B38-38
 B38-12
 B12-F
 B12-14
 B12-12
Using B14-12 as an example, the first set of numbers B14, refers to the bottom thickness, bottom thickness is 1/4". The second set of Numbers, 12, denotes the bottom placement as 1/2" up from the bottom edge.
   Notes on Bottom Placement relative to drawer height.

Standard drawer heights are on 1" increments and are determined by the drawer bottom groove location. In order to conceal the groove for the bottom behind the bottom tail while maintaining complete dovetails at the top, with a strong half pin at the top and bottom, the following criteria will apply. The maximum dado size to accept any bottom is 3/8". The dado for a 1/2" thick bottom is only 3/8", therefore the dado must be made 3/8" wide and 5/8" up from the bottom edge to achieve a 1/2" recess for under-mount hardware. The 1/2" bottom is then rabbetted to fit into the groove. The standard detail is a beveled rabbet to allow for nailing and gluing the bottoms in. A square rabbet can be ordered upon request if the bottom is exposed. Non-Standard heights can be ordered any size, but a set-up fee will be added to the cost of the job and an up-charge per drawer may apply as well. Non-standard drawer heights will result in the removal of the top dovetail and a set up fee will apply for each non-standard height.



Western Dovetail Ships Directly to the Customer
Completely assembled and finished drawers are shipped from Western Dovetail to any destination in the USA. Most orders ship in 5 to 7 days. Local orders can also be delivered in the company vehicle. Delivery is available for most shops in the Bay Area. Other California destinations are shipped overnight and arrive the next day. Shipments outside of California are sent via common carrier or UPS at the best possible rate.



Custom machining for under-mount hardware
Western Dovetail was the first to offer custom machining for concealed drawer runners. Under-mount hardware requires precision machining such as notching and drilling and specific bottom placement. This company can notch, drill, and install locking devices for any major brand of under-mount hardware. The staff at Western Dovetail can help calculate the drawer sizes using the customer’s cabinet openings, combined with the hardware specifications to determine the required dimensions. Major brands of drawer slides are stocked in-house and can be shipped with the drawers including conventional side mount slides.


Drawer Tip
Please use a Western Dovetail Order Form. Check all of the appropriate boxes on the form and fill in the proper mailing and shipping info. If the job is too complicated to fit on the form, include additional pages for drawings and explain the details in writing. Any details discussed on the phone should be verified in writing and should appear on the quote.