March 10, 2010
America's Premier Dovetail Drawer Company
Custom Options > File Drawers
File Drawers
Standard File Drawers
F1) Standard "Letter" rails run front to back - (4 slots)
F2) Standard "Legal" rails run front to back - (4 slots)
F3) Standard both "Legal" and "Letter" rails run front to back - (6 slots)
F4) Lateral "Letter" rails run side to side - (4 slots)
F5) Lateral "Legal" rails run side to side - (4 slots)
F6) Lateral both "Legal" and "Letter" rails run side to side - (6 slots)
  • Rail is typically 1/8" X 3/4" fo rspans up to 24", and 1/8"X1" for spans over 24"
  • Please specify rail size and if you want us to supply the rail cut-to-size
  • We can provide anodized aluminum rails cut to size for $1.50 per lineal foot
  • Standard height for file drawers is 10 1/8" - 10 1/4"
  • Minimum width for F1 is 13 3/4" for 1/2" thick sides and 14" for 5/8" thick sides
  • Minimum width for F2 is 16 3/4" for 1/2" thick sides and 17" for 5/8" thick sides
  • Minimum width for F3 is 16 3/4" for 1/2" thick sides and 17" for 5/8" thick sides
  • No minimum width for F4, F5, & F6
  • Minimum depth for F4 is 13 3/4" for 1/2" thick sides and 14" for 5/8" thick sides
  • Minimum depth for F5 is 16 3/4" for 1/2" thick sides and 17" for 5/8" thick sides
  • Minimum depth for F6 is 16 3/4" for 1/2" thick sides and 17" for 5/8" thick sides
  • To Specify a combination of Standard and Lateral combine two types such as: F1 / F4
The most versatile system is to cut the rails in and hang them from the sides or fronts and backs of the drawer. Always figure on 12 5/16" to the outside of the rails. Ad 3" inches for legal size files.
Also available: (for tight spaces where the smallest dimension is required)
  • Embedded black fiber-track rails & Rabbeted Solid wood Rails
    • Letter size file Drawers must be exactly 12 15/16" for 1/2" thick and 12 3/16" for 5/8" thick
    • Legal size file Drawers must be 15 15/16" for 1/2" thick and 16 3/16" for 5/8" thickness
  • Plastic clip-on rails: For 1/2" drawer sides only, must be 12 1/8" for letter, or 16 1/8" for legal
  • Flush bottom file drawers: 9 5/8" height with flush 1/4" bottoms or 9 3/4" height with 3/8" bottoms
Clip on rails require no special machining and can easily be added after the drawer is assembled.


Embedded black fiber track rails can be used in taight spaces. They are glued into a groove during assembly.



Western Dovetail, Inc. has served Americas top woodworkers with high quality custom dovetail drawers since 1993. With generations of woodworking experience to back up 15 years in the drawer business Western Dovetail, Inc. has led the way with complete drawer solutions for cabinetmakers across the US with quality, reliability and innovation.




Western Dovetail joined the early pioneers in the GREEN movement to become America's first FSC certified dovetail drawer company in 1998. Since the company began, a constant effort has been made to be responsible about the materials used and the waste that is generated. Many materials are available to make drawers that are certified meet FSC chain of custody requirements.


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.