Desktop Organizer - Part 10

Build tight-fitting drawers with hand tools from start to finish. In this session, I finish the box lids, choose and fit the drawer fronts, and show a simple 2x4 thicknessing jig that lets you plane parts to an exact thickness for half‑blind dovetails. We cover some finer aspects grain-matching tradeoffs, why drawers should start tight, squaring end grain without a shooting board. We then work on making a thin 3/16" bottom panel from offcuts with a interesting planing strategy—resulting in a glass-smooth, precise fit without relying on a power planer.

Video Highlights:

How to dimension drawer parts by hand for a snug, accurate fit
A dead-simple thicknessing jig using a 2x4, rails, shims, and a stop
When to prioritize fit over grain matching on drawer fronts
End-grain squaring techniques without a shooting board
Dialing in parts for half-blind dovetails (front/back thinner than sides)
Plane setup, sharpening reminders, and choosing vintage vs low-angle planes
Making a clean 3/16" drawer bottom from shop offcuts


Chapters:
0:00 Intro, project status (lids done, drawers next)
1:40 Grain matching vs fit; ripping mistake to avoid
2:15 Why start drawers tight (hand-tool cleanup thins parts)
3:20 Selecting/marking the drawer front stock
4:16 Target thicknesses; parts for half-blind dovetails (~5/16")
4:41 Simple 2x4 thicknessing jig setup (rails, stop, shims)
6:01 Plane choices (No. 5-1/2, 4-1/2, low-angle), fit considerations
7:37 Planing cherry; sharpening notes
8:52 Measuring thickness with analog calipers
10:12 Hand planed finish vs power planer
11:14 Squaring end grain without a shooting board
13:44 Marking, trimming, and test-fitting the drawer front
18:46 Rough cut, final truing to the line
20:00 Box set plans; craftsmanship focus
21:18 Final snug fit on the drawer front
22:42 Making the 3/16" bottom panel from offcuts
24:45 Final smoothing, wrap-up

Tools/materials mentioned:

Hand planes: No. 5-1/2, 4-1/2, low-angle (Veritas)
2x4 thicknessing jig with equal-height rails, stop block, shims
Cherry and ash stock, calipers (analog), miter box/saw
Half-blind dovetail prep and layout approach


Keywords:
hand tool woodworking, drawer build, tight fitting drawers, half-blind dovetails, thicknessing jig, hand plane jig, planing cherry, squaring end grain, vintage planes vs low angle, woodworking by hand, drawer bottom panel, grain matching, precise thickness by hand, woodworking tips, fine woodworking

Hashtags:
#Woodworking #HandTools #Dovetails #DrawerBuild #ThicknessingJig #CherryWood #HandPlanes #WoodworkingTips #FineWoodworking #DIYWoodworking