How the drawer stack is divided
The proportion list is a compact way to create equal or graduated drawers. With weights of 1, 1.5, 2, the top drawer receives 1/4.5 of the available height, the middle receives 1.5/4.5, and the bottom receives 2/4.5. The box-height budget first subtracts the top, bottom, and between-box clearances. The decorative-front budget separately subtracts inset reveals or adds overlay, then removes between-front gaps.
Box dimensions and bottom panels
Outside box width equals opening width minus twice the exact side clearance. Box depth equals usable cabinet depth minus front setback and rear clearance. This cut list assumes two full-depth sides and front/back pieces between them. A captured bottom spans the inside box plus the entered groove engagement on every edge; an applied bottom spans the outside box minus any edge inset.
That declared construction keeps the arithmetic auditable, but it does not compensate for dovetails, rabbets, dados, drawer-front joinery, or milling sequence. Modify the finished part dimensions for the joinery you actually use.
Slide presets are starting references
The side-mount, undermount, and wood-runner choices only fill a commonly encountered planning clearance. They do not select hardware. Undermount systems may require a specific wall thickness, bottom recess, rear notch, locking-device hole, and relationship between the cabinet opening and inside drawer width. Use the current installation sheet for the exact manufacturer and model.
Fabrication boundary
Do not batch-cut from a preset alone. Measure the finished cabinet at multiple depths, use the smallest controlling dimension, account for finish thickness, and make one test box. Verify slide clearance, nominal slide length, setback, mounting height, required rear space, bottom placement, front attachment, pulls, and interference with doors, hinges, rails, or an adjacent drawer.
Frequently asked questions
Can the top drawer be shallower than the bottom drawers?
Yes. Give the top a smaller proportion. The same shares are applied to box and decorative-front height budgets, while their actual dimensions remain separate.
Are decorative drawer fronts part of the box cut list?
No. Their finished sizes appear in the drawer schedule, but the box cut list covers the four box walls and bottom. Front construction and grain matching need their own material plan.
Why is the captured bottom larger than the inside opening?
The entered groove engagement adds material that enters the grooves. For example, a 1/4-inch groove depth adds 1/2 inch to the clear inside width and depth.
Does this calculate slide-hole locations?
No. Hole patterns, rear brackets, notches, locking devices, and vertical mounting positions vary by slide system and cabinet construction.
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