Imagine the number of opening and closing cycles a drawer sees in its lifetime. Not only are people constantly pulling and pushing on drawer boxes, in most cases drawers are loaded with heavy stuff. Especially in your shop. That’s a lot of abuse. If you’re taking the time to make a drawer, take the time to make it right – and take this online video Class to help you create superior drawers for any project.
Dovetails and drawer locks are time-tested joints for drawers. Using these types of joints will greatly reduce the likelihood of the joints on a drawer failing. Our “Drawer Making: Dovetails and Drawer Locks” woodworking instruction class teaches you must-have skills for these joints.
Half-Blind Dovetails
Half-blind dovetails are commonly used for drawers, and many people look for this joint as a sign of craftsmanship. This video instructional class teaches you how to set up and use a router-based jig. Jigs make dovetails easier than hand cutting, but there are many aspects of set-up that need to be done correctly in order for the jig to work correctly. This class provides many dovetail jig tips and tricks including lubricating the jig, aligning the drawer parts, setting bit depth, and handling the router.
Table Saw Drawer Locks
With a little practice and finesse, you can easily produce drawer lock joints on the table saw using a dado head. Once the blade height and fence position are correctly set, this is an incredibly fast way to make a solid joint, and cut the groove for the drawer bottom.
Joinery Alternatives
Like half-blinds, through dovetails require the correct setup. This video instruction will help you get a perfect fit. Drawer lock router bits may seem fussy to use, but not when you know the tricks this video class teaches you.
Your class Instructor George Vondriska brings many years of residential and commercial cabinet making and furniture making experience to you through this class. His easy-to-follow process and clear step-by-step instruction will help you to increase your confidence in making a better drawer, no matter what your next project is.
In addition to these key drawer making essentials in video form, this online class provides you with some downloadable resources and helpful information to print and keep, including: A detailed Class Guide you can follow for the key steps of the Class instruction; and source references for any specialized tools and material used in the class.
NOTE: This Class video instruction is also available for purchase in DVD form. If you prefer to own a physical copy, you can purchase the Class DVD here.
Class Sessions
Session 1: Getting Started
9:30
What’s the big deal with dovetails and drawer locks? Why do they make such great drawer corners? There are a variety of reasons, and we’ll explain those reasons to you. And, we’ll let you know what you need in your shop to cut these joints.
Session 2: Setting Up and Using a Dovetail Jig
50:01
Here are the ins and outs of setting up and using a half-blind dovetail jig. Lubricating the jig, setting depth of cut, positioning the material, handling the router…each of these must be done correctly for good dovetails. No details are overlooked. We even show you where many woodworkers go wrong when making dovetails.
Session 3: Cutting Drawer Lock Joints
25:21
If you’ve got a dado head you have what you need to cut drawer lock joints on the table saw. Blade height and fence position are key to a good quality joint, and we provide you with everything you need for each step of the process. You’ll also learn the key to positioning the groove for the drawer bottom so that it’s hidden behind your dovetail joint.
Session 4: Drawer Joinery Alternatives
50:29
Want more joinery choices? Here they are. We’ll teach you to cut through dovetails on a router-based jig, along with all the required setup tips, and how to make drawer lock joints on the router table. Whether you use a slot-cutting bit or a task-specific drawer lock router bit, you’ll get the instruction you need.
Session 5: Class Summary
0:57
George wraps up this class with a reminder to practice the techniques you learned in the class to be better prepared for any future project that includes drawers. With a little practice, and attention to detail, you’ll be making drawers for all your projects that can withstand use and abuse, and will stand up through the test of time.
Your Instructor
George Vondriska
George Vondriska is the Editor in Chief here at Woodworkers Guild of America and has been sharing his woodworking expertise since 1986. Apart from conducting classes at his renowned Vondriska Woodworks School, George's passion for teaching has taken him to woodworking shows nationwide and has led him to teach woodworking for prestigious organizations such as Peace Corps/Swaziland, Andersen Window, Northwest Airlines, and the Pentagon. With a wealth of published magazine articles under his belt, encompassing tool reviews and shop improvement projects, George's knowledge and skills continue to inspire woodworkers every day. To discover more about him and his school, visit georgevondriska.com.
Bonus Material
Printable Class Guide PDF
Download and print this PDF Guide to complement your Class. It’ll be a nice reference for you to keep.
Class Resource PDF
See this list of tools and suppliers that are used in this Class.
Video: Instructor Insights
Download this short video to hear your instructor talk about this Class.
Video: Meet Your Instructor
Download this short video to meet your instructor George Vondriska
Bonus Materials available for download after purchase.
FAQs
How do I know what the Class covers?
Every Class has a free Preview video you can watch, to give you a flavor of the Instructor and the skills or project that will be covered. In addition, the Overview tab includes a thorough written description of the Class. And finally, each Class Session has a brief written summary of the content in that Session, including the length of each Session video. You will get a good feel for the Class content by reviewing these resources.
Do I have to be a Member of Woodworkers Guild of America to purchase a Class?
No you don’t. While Premium Members will receive regular offers for special deals on WWGOA Academy content, Classes are not reserved exclusively for Members. If you buy a Class as a non-member, we’re sure you’d also enjoy having access to our full library of great woodworking videos and articles as a Member, so give it a try.
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First you should decide that the Class is what you want. Review the Class Preview video and the various written descriptions of the Class and each Session before you purchase, so you have a good understanding of the Class content. When you’re ready to purchase and gain access to the Class, simply click the “Add to Cart” button, and proceed through the Checkout process.
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How do I get access to the Bonus Materials for the Class?
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Once you purchase any Class, within the Class viewing page, you’ll have access to post a question, comment or tip in the Class Discussions. This is not a “live chat,” but your Class Instructor and WWGOA contributors will answer posted questions and provide tips regularly. You can also view other Class participants’ questions and input to take part in this virtual dialogue among others who have taken the Class and are willing to share tips, answers, or ideas.
Can I print out Class details?
For any Bonus Material that is a PDF Download, yes you can. Just click on the icon/button for the Bonus element you want, and print with your local printer.
What are PDF downloads?
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Are there any system requirements to view the Class video content?
Your Class video content is best when viewed on a computer manufactured in the past couple of years with a good broadband Internet connection (not dialup). We also highly recommend using the latest version of Firefox, Safari, or Chrome as your Internet Browser, though recent versions of Internet Explorer will work as well. The recommended screen resolution is 1024 x 768 or larger.
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