Domer

I am building a Stickley Sideboard that has two drawers that will be approximately 23" wide by 18" deep and one drawer that will be 46" wide and 18" deep. Both drawers will be just over 7" high.

The case is made from walnut and I plan on making the web from popular.

I also planed on making the drawer faces from walnut and the rest from popular.

My questions are.

Is there enough difference in movement to cause a problem with the combination of walnut and popular?

Will the popular be wear resistant enough to for a side hung slide?

Will the 46" wide drawer need a center slide or two?

Domer

TexasTimbers

Welcome Domer. If both species have an acceptable MC for use in furniture (<8% and some hardcore guys will say <7%) then you can mix and match practically any two speices with some notable exceptions. Poplar and Walnut are a very common pair - used exactly as you are planning in. Poplar internal frame parts and Walnut for fronts/sides/drawer fronts/top.

Poplar would not be a first choice in a high-use heavy-wear application but I bet it would be fine for that. How many openings will this drawer get? 20,000 in its lifetime? If it's used everday, day in and day out then yes easily that many in someones lifetime. If it is opened on average 2ice a day for 365 days a years thats 730 times a year, times 50 years = 36,500 cycles. Hmm maybe you ought to consider a hard, natuarall oily wood like Ipe or something.

I wouldn't give it two because it's more apt to bind a little unless you give them more clearance than what I would like (sloppy). I'd stick with the two side slides and one nicely fitted, wide center slide.

My two coppers. I promise you there are guys here with tons more experience in this area than me hopefully they will share their experience with us.

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Flame Box Elder

Gerry KIERNAN

For a drawer that large I would be inclined to use roller bearing drawer glides, aven though they are a little out of context with the Stickley designs. If the drawer is running on wood slats it would become a challenge to make it operate smoothly.

Gerry

crapenterallday

whats a Stickley sideboard?

lucas.j.dunton

well, you (probably) know what a sideboard is, Stickley just refers to the famous arts and crafts style designer (one of the most famous actually) google him (believe its Gustav Stickley) I love his work (not as much as greene and greene though) here is a couple o links
www.gustavstickley.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Stickley

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lucas.j.dunton

this is NOT mine, just an example off the net - craftsman style pioneer

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“Freedom is something that dies unless it's used” -Hunter S Thompson

crapenterallday

Sorry I dont know what a sideboard is, or maybe I do and just dont know that its called a sideboard. I'm new to the finer part of woodworking so forgive me. I dont know how you guys keep all the types of wood, their uses, and all the styles of furniture straight.

lucas.j.dunton

those are sideboards, they are normally used in a dining room for the storage of dishes and such, as far as the knowledge goes well i personally am a sponge when it comes to something i am interested in or passionate about

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“Freedom is something that dies unless it's used” -Hunter S Thompson

Domer

Gustov Stickley is a famous designer but was also a manufacturer. The photos are of the style I am making.

I have talked to lots of people and have as many responses as I have had conversations.

One guy who is pretty knowledgeable about woodworking suggested that I apply a silicone spray to the side clete. He said he did it on a piece over twenty years ago and it still works.

I have looked at undermount drawer slides. They are pretty expensive at almost $50 per pair and my design calls for 3 pair. You need heavy duty slides to the possibility or racking.

However, since I already have quite a bit in materials and time, I probably will to the undermount slides even though they are pretty expensive.

Gerry KIERNAN

You might get away with using wood slides for the smaller drawers, if they aren't loaded too heavily, but a set of drawer slides for the larger drawer would be a very good investment.
Under mounted slides, even though more expensive than standard side mounted slides would be nicer appearance wise, as they wouldn't detract from the clean design lines of a Stickley style piece of furniture.
In any event, good luck with your project. That could become an heirloom.

Gerry

Domer

I have spent a lot of time researching how to do the drawers.

One of the Fine Woodworking books I have said that they would only use either wood side hung or the under mounted steel slides on a furniture project that you want to be a heirloom.

I have come to the conclusion that I would have to use maple or some other hardwood for the sides or go with the under mounted slides.

I have more confidence in being able to install the under mounted slides than the side hung. In addition, I have spend a lot of time and money on this project and don't want to experiment so am going with the under mount slides.

I looked at the Rockler catalog and web site. I called their techninal support people and didn't really get the help I wanted. They gave me the number for one of the manufacturers and I called them. They were very helpful but still I could not find what I wanted.

I found some at Woodcraft on line that looked like they will fit the bill. So I called their technical support line for confirmation. They have a 100# capacity and work on a 5/8 drawer side and will work on a faceless cabinet and were less expensive that others that I looked at. So I ordered them. I am a big fan of Woodcraft. The local store has several experienced woodworkers who are very helpful and the tech support guy I called was also excellent.

So now the easy part, making and installing the drawers. I will try to post a picture when I get done.

Thanks for all the help from all of you.

Domer