Standard Specifications For Drawer Boxes From Cutting Edge
Learn the standard specs for drawer boxes so you can avoid delays, reduce mistakes, and finish your projects on time.
Trusting that your supplier’s standard specifications for drawer boxes will match your expectations can be risky. If there’s a misunderstanding, you may end up with costly delays, frustrated clients, or even damaged reputations. Whether you’re a cabinet maker, contractor, or homeowner, those mistakes mean more work, more stress, and more pressure to make up lost time.
At Cutting Edge, we’ve spent over 20 years building a reputation for consistently delivering high-quality products on time. Our drawer boxes adhere to clearly defined standard specifications, and we ensure you are aware of these specifications so you can avoid misunderstandings, plan your projects with confidence, and keep your clients satisfied.
In this article, you’ll learn:
What Are The Standard Specifications For Drawer Boxes?
At Cutting Edge, our standard specifications provide predictable and reliable results. Unless you tell us otherwise, here’s exactly what we’ll build:
| Specification | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Type | Hard Maple or Birch Ply | Depends on whether you want solid wood or plywood |
| Side Thickness | 15mm | Matches Birch Ply thickness |
| Base Grain | Front to back | ⅜” Prefinished Birch |
| Base Placement | ½” up from bottom | Works with most undermount slides |
| Notching | 2 ¼” front/back with hole | For Movento slides |
| Heights | 3/16” increments | Example: 3 3/16” |
| Hand Scoops | None | Unless requested |
| Sanding | 180 grit | Sharp edges not eased |
| Finish | Raw | Unless requested |
| Dovetail | Half-blind, visible from the sides only | Example: 3 3/16” |
| Box Joint | Visible from front & sides | Example: 3 3/16” |
| Birch Ply Edging | None | Visible layers of plywood |
Wood Type – Hard Maple or Birch Ply
Your drawer boxes will come with Hard Maple as a solid wood option or Birch Ply for a stable, plywood alternative. Each has its own aesthetic and performance benefits, and both meet our quality standards. However, you can request other woods for drawer boxes.
Side Thickness – 15mm
We use 15mm thick sides, which match the thickness of Birch Ply material. This strikes a balance between strength and weight, ensuring the drawer boxes are durable without being overly heavy. This thickness works well with common cabinet construction and slide systems, eliminating the guesswork.
Bases – ⅜” Thick, Front-to-Back Grain Direction
Every base uses ⅜” Prefinished Birch, with the grain running front to back. This is both visually appealing and structurally sound, ensuring a consistent appearance across all drawers in your project.
Base Placement – ½” Up from Bottom
The base is set ½” up from the bottom of the drawer box. This placement gives optimal room for slides and ensures consistent alignment across multiple boxes.
Notching – Ready For Movento Slides
Your drawer boxes come with 2 ¼” notching front and back with a hole, specifically designed for Movento slides. By default, you receive ready-to-install boxes.
Heights – In 3/16” Increments
Your drawer boxes come with heights in 3/16” increments — for example, 3 3/16”, 4 3/16”, and so on. This provides the most durable joints at the top and bottom of the drawer box.
Hand Scoops – Only If Requested
We don’t include hand scoops unless you ask for them. This prevents unnecessary cost and allows you to choose the exact style and placement if they’re required.
Sanding – 180 Grit Finish
We sand every drawer box to 180 grit for a smooth surface. The sharp edges will not be eased unless you order the drawer boxes prefinished. This prevents unwanted rounding that could affect the look of your cabinets.
Finish – Raw by Default
Your drawer boxes come raw unless you request a finish. This gives you full flexibility to apply your stain, lacquer, or paint to match the rest of your cabinetry.
However, apart from these defaults, each type of drawer box comes with standard specifications.
Unique Standard Specifications For Dovetail Drawer Boxes
Dovetail drawer boxes use half-blind dovetails, meaning the joint is only visible from the sides. This keeps the front face clean while still showcasing craftsmanship from the side view. The dovetails are cut for strength and fit, ensuring they can handle years of use.
Unique Standard Specifications For Box Joint Drawer Boxes
The joints in box joint drawer boxes are visible from both the front and sides, creating a bold, geometric pattern. This design is strong, visually striking, and ideal for modern or industrial-style cabinetry. Like dovetails, the joints are precisely machined for a consistent appearance.
Unique Standard Specifications For Birch Ply Drawer Boxes
Birch Ply drawer boxes are built without edging, intentionally leaving the plywood layers exposed. This creates a clean, contemporary look and speeds up production by eliminating unnecessary trim steps.
When Do The Standard Specifications For Drawer Boxes Apply?
Our standard specifications apply to every order unless you tell us otherwise. That means we default to the nearest 3/16” increment for height. If you don’t request a finish, we’ll ship your boxes raw. If you don’t note special joinery details, we’ll build to our tested standard for that style.
This works in your favour when you want fast, predictable results. Our standards are intended to deliver consistent results for most projects.
However, some projects require adjustments for unusual hardware, specific finishes, or unique cabinet depths. In those cases, you’ll need to confirm where the standards can’t apply before production starts to prevent misalignment between your expectations and the final product.
Knowing when the defaults do and don’t apply helps ensure each drawer box fits its intended use without delays or rework.
Why Is It Important To Understand The Standards For Drawer Boxes?
Specifications define how a drawer box will look, feel, and function. Without understanding them, it’s easy to assume details will match your needs when they may not. That’s how avoidable errors happen. A slight difference in height or notch placement can affect installation, leading to delays or requiring modifications.
By knowing the standards in advance, you can confirm they suit your hardware and design, plan orders more quickly, and identify when a custom request is necessary. This reduces the risk of extra costs, keeps timelines realistic, and ensures consistency across projects.
Clear knowledge of the specifications turns the ordering process into a predictable step rather than a potential problem, making project planning smoother from start to finish.
Learn How To Price Out Drawer Boxes Online
At the end of the day, the right drawer boxes can make the difference between a smooth installation and a stressful delay. You now have a clear understanding of Cutting Edge’s standard specifications and when they apply. With these details in hand, you can approach every order knowing exactly what will arrive without guesswork and unwelcome surprises.
Delays, misunderstandings, and costly rework occur far too often in this industry, leaving you feeling frustrated and under pressure. By understanding and confirming the specifications before production begins, you can avoid those setbacks entirely. Now that you know what to expect from Cutting Edge, your next step is simple. Learn how to price out your drawer boxes online so you can plan with precision, protect your timelines, and deliver projects that keep your clients coming back. We’re here to ensure every box you order fits your needs, schedule, and reputation.
