Anyone have a broken drawer?

[LEPMAN]

Hello, I have always built my own entomology drawers and always non-standard sized. Now as my collection is growing I am looking at using standard sized Cornell drawers so that in the future my collection drawers can be donated/sold with greater ease. Currently I am looking for a broken or unusable Cornell drawer that I can use as a model when making my own drawers. I have already sourced the appropriate sized glass and now need a drawer. The ones commercially available are quite pricey so I was hoping someone here may have a drawer that is broken or that they are looking to get rid of? I would only really need two drawer sides.

[exoticimports]

You might check with any local entomology departments (universities, agriculture, etc.) When they take in collections they often dispose of drawers that are unfit and/or not of the design they use.

Chuck

[LEPMAN]

Thanks for the tip! I will try that if I’m unsuccessful here!

[vabrou]

Chuck, I have been fabricating my own Cornell-size drawers for nearly a half century. In 1992, I published: Citation: Brou Jr., Vernon A. 1992. Do it yourself Cornell-size specimen drawers. South. Lepid. News 14: 57-59. There you will find text, detailed drawings and instructions on a much improved method of glass placement, dimensions in inches, and helpful hints as to common wood species to avoid, and my greatest added suggestion is that the interior wood surfaces should be painted with pure white epoxy paint prior to assembling. If you cannot find this, even though it has been on the WWW for several decades, e-mail me and I'll send you a pdf of it with color photos of the final results. E-mail [e-mail]  These Cornell drawer instructions have been downloaded more than 1,000 times in over 100 countries of the world.

You cannot fabricate quality drawers of close tolerances without using high quality lumber, a quality table saw with highest quality plywood or veneer blades having the most teeth available. Having an electric or hand cut miter saw is most helpful as is an electric planer and an electric drill with appropriate size wood bits. If you attempt to fabricate these drawers using a radial-arm saw you will just end up with fire wood kindling. Sanding equipment is an integral part of successively fabricating these drawers. One BIG no-no worth mentioning is, NEVER use shellac on your drawers or cabinets, as this promotes mold and fungus growth which will spread to your stored specimens. Best to use quality varnish or polyurethane, or a combination product, semi-gloss or high-gloss. Be sure lumber is seasoned and dry. Best selections in North America include: hard pines, medium to soft pines, basswood, poplar. Poorest selections one should avoid using include: fir, redwood, cypress.
I also published how to self-fabricate 12 and 25 drawer wooden storage cabinets, these also require sheet metal and sheet metal hand tools as a minimum having a sheet metal brake is very helpful. Also published how to fabricate hanging fruit bait traps, and also fruit bait traps utilizing attached self-capture collecting devices. In fact, nearly all of my many hundreds of insect traps for various different orders and families of insects utilize attached self-capture collecting chambers. I even published instructions on how to fabricate NON-ADJUSTABLE INSECT SPREADING BOARDS, and Do it yourself FUMIGANT boxes, for use in Cornell specimen cases.

Fabricating these items is something that is very time consuming if done properly, and you will also need the drawer hardware pulls, nails, best wood glues, drawer bottom material (bagass or something better), foam material, and single-strength glass. This next suggestion is paramount in achieving success is e.g. If you purchase lumber for say 50 drawers, first cut material into 6' lengths, each length will construct four walls of one drawer. Keep matching cut pieces together during entire fabrication process.  So one should always set the table saw to make each of the lengthwise cuts on all 50 pieces at the same time without resetting the saw setup dimensions. Then make the next lengthwise cut on all 50 pieces at the same time without resetting the saw setup dimensions. And so forth...... Don't be in a rush! Drill pilot holes for nails, and countersink nail heads. I have looked at drawers fabricated by dozens of manufacturers and suppliers, some good, some bad, some ugly. My design is very good, but not as pretty as some, as I use finishing nails, wood filler and glue.

Vernon Antoine Brou Jr.

[trehopr1]

Well, I'm glad that I've stayed with (purchasing) my finished Cornell drawers from Bioquip and another manufacturer. This sort of handiwork is well beyond my capabilities, time, patience, and needs.

I certainly do not collect in volumes and I can handle purchasing my 3 - 4 drawers a year which suit my needs.

Mine is strictly a hobby and not an occupation. But, at least there is something out there for those "do-it-yourselfers" who have the tools, time, patience, and diligence to take on such craftsmanship.

[kevinkk]

Great "observation" vabrou, wood working and carpentry is a skill that takes experience and the proper tools. You make great posts with obvious experience.
Work in a cabinet shop and you'll realize why good cabinets cost what they do.
I make my own storage cabinets, but not cases, I buy those elsewhere, sometimes you need custom sizes to fit in your space, I made my own
fish tank stand for a 20g, and I could park a car on top of it, but I'd make changes if I had a do over-

craftsmen and professionals exist for a reason, to pull our fat out of the fire, I can't be the only person who's seen one of those funny signs
that are usually in a mechanic shop that list hourly rates- 30 an hour base, 60 if you watch, 120 if you help, and 240 if you already worked on it.
DIY is great, and I am not saying don't try, there's no better way to learn, than by doing, for better or worse.