March 10, 2010
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 b ottom 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 moved into the old "Jointer's Shop" at Mare Island in August of 2003. The 100 year old building on the former Navy base has a long history of woodworking. Some of the original equipment is still in use, including the central dust collection. This historic facility allows the company to stock more materials, reduce lead-time and offer more options while maintaining all operations in-house. Western Dovetail is now even more prepared to meet the growing demand for dovetail drawers without sacrificing quality.



Corner Drawers, Curved Drawers and more...
Western Dovetail has unveiled a whole new line of space saving drawer solutions. Three different corner drawers to choose from. The Chevron Corner Drawer is a new design for the . The new drawer optimizes the space for utensils. Curved front drawers can now be made at any angle with fronts or backs made to the curved profile or radius of the customer’s choice. Drawers can also be made at any angle with true dovetails made to fit perfectly. Curved front drawers can also be used in corners with a concave curved front.


Drawer Tip
If the drawer is to be used as a "Pull-Out" with an exposed front, it should be noted accordingly and a PREMIUM front will be used.