Overview
The Drawer Box Library allows you to configure drawer box construction methods, pricing, dimensions, and joinery options. You can create multiple drawer box configurations for different applications and construction methods.
Key Features
1. Drawer Box Name
Select which drawer box configuration you're editing from the dropdown list. You can create multiple drawer box types (e.g., dovetail, dado, metal sides) and switch between them.
2. Drawer Box Thumbnail
Add a JPG image to visually represent your drawer box construction method. This helps identify different drawer box types at a glance.
To add an image: Click the thumbnail area and browse to your JPG file.
3. Drawer Box Pricing
Set pricing for this drawer box configuration.
| Field | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Cost | Fixed cost per drawer box |
| Markup % | Percentage markup applied to cost |
| Add-on $ | Fixed dollar amount added to cost |
Example: Cost $25.00 + Markup 20% + Add-on $5.00 = $35.00 per drawer box
4. Drawer Box Options
Apply Banding
☑ Check to apply edgebanding to drawer box parts
Rollout Tray
☑ Check if this configuration is for a rollout tray (not a drawer with a face)
Advanced Features
5. Drawer Box Shape
Click Shape to open the Drawer Shape Editor and create U-shaped drawer boxes or custom shapes.
Use for: Drawer boxes that wrap around obstacles, custom cutouts, or specialty applications.
6. Drawer Box Sectioning
Click Section to open the Drawer Section Editor and add partitions or dividers inside the drawer box.
Use for: Silverware dividers, utensil organizers, or any drawer requiring internal compartments.
8. Standard Box Depth
Enter the standard depth for your drawer box based on a 24" deep cabinet.
How it works:
- Set this value based on your desired clearance
- Mozaik automatically scales for different cabinet depths
- Example: Enter 21" for a 24" cabinet = 3" clearance
Scaling examples:
- 24" cabinet → 21" drawer box
- 22.5" cabinet → 19.5" drawer box
- 15" cabinet → 12" drawer box
Note: Based on 24" deep cabinet setting
9. CNC Dovetail Construction
☑ Check CNC Dovetail to switch to CNC dovetail construction method, then click Setup Dovetail Construction to configure your dovetail tooling parameters.
Construction Settings
10. Drawer Front Settings
Plant-On Bottom:
- ☑ Checked: Front sits on top of the bottom panel
- ☐ Unchecked: Front fits between the sides
Dado Settings:
- Dado Side Depth: How deep the dado is cut into the sides (typically 1/4")
- Slop: Additional clearance for easy assembly (typically 0)
- Dado Width Slop: Width adjustment for dado fit
Front Detail: Click to add custom shaping or operations to the drawer front.
11. Drawer Back Settings
Plant-On Bottom:
- ☑ Checked: Back sits on top of the bottom panel
- ☐ Unchecked: Back fits between the sides
Dado Settings: Same as front (Dado Side Depth, Slop, Dado Width Slop)
Back Detail: Click to add custom shaping or operations to the drawer back.
12. Drawer Side Settings
Plant-On Bottom:
- ☑ Checked: Sides sit on top of the bottom panel
- ☐ Unchecked: Bottom fits in a dado groove in the sides (most common)
Left Side Detail / Right Side Detail: Click to add custom shaping or operations to either drawer side.
13. Drawer Bottom Settings
Recess: How far the bottom is recessed from the front edge (typically 1/2")
Width Grain: ☑ Check if bottom grain runs side-to-side instead of front-to-back
Dado Settings:
- Dado Depth: Depth of groove for bottom panel (typically 1/4")
- Slop: Clearance for bottom panel
- Dado Width Slop: Width adjustment for dado groove
Bottom Detail: Click to add custom shaping or operations to the drawer bottom.
Standard Sizes
14. Use Standard Drawer Heights
☑ Check to use pre-defined drawer box heights instead of calculating custom sizes.
How to use:
- Check Use Standard Heights
- Enter heights separated by commas (example: 3.5, 5.25, 7.625, 10.12)
- Mozaik selects the largest height that fits the opening (minus guide clearances)
Note: No fractions - use decimals only (e.g., 5.25 not 5 1/4)
When unchecked: Mozaik calculates drawer heights based on opening size and guide clearances from the Hardware Library.
15. Use Standard Drawer Depths
☑ Check to use pre-defined drawer box depths instead of calculating custom sizes.
How to use:
- Check Use Standard Depths
- Enter depths separated by commas (example: 12, 15, 18, 21)
- Enter Standard Clearance (e.g., .625)
- Mozaik selects the largest depth that fits the cabinet (minus standard clearance)
Note: If cabinet is smaller than your smallest standard depth, Mozaik uses Standard Clearance to calculate a custom size.
Advanced Joinery
16. Blind Dado and Qualified Tenons
Requirements: Front and Back must have Plant on Bottom checked.
Blind Notch Length: Length of the stopped dado (doesn't run full width)
Qualified Tenon Thickness: Thickness of the tenon that fits into the blind dado (typically 1/4")
Use for: Cleaner appearance - dados don't show on the ends of drawer sides.
Labor Tracking
17. Minutes to Assemble
Enter the time in minutes required to assemble this drawer box. Used in Pricing Templates for labor cost calculations.
Typical values: 5-15 minutes depending on drawer complexity and construction method.
Managing Drawer Box Configurations
Sidebar Buttons
| Button | Function |
|---|---|
| Add | Create new drawer box configuration |
| Delete | Remove current drawer box |
| Edit | Rename current drawer box |
| Copy | Duplicate current drawer box |
| Export | Save configuration to file |
| Import | Load saved configuration |
Common Drawer Box Configurations
Standard Dado Drawer Box
- Front: Plant on Bottom ☑
- Back: Plant on Bottom ☑
- Sides: Plant on Bottom ☐ (bottom in dado groove)
- Dado Depth: 1/4"
- Bottom Recess: 1/2"
Dovetail Drawer Box
- CNC Dovetail: ☑
- Configure dovetail tooling
- Front and Back: Plant on Bottom ☑
- Bottom in groove
Metal Side Drawer Box
- Sides use metal drawer system
- Bottom typically on clips
- Front typically applied over metal system
Tips for Success
💡 Use descriptive names - "Dovetail 5/8" or "Dado Standard" instead of "Drawer Box 1"
💡 Set realistic labor times - Base on actual shop measurements, not estimates
💡 Use standard sizes when possible - Reduces variety and simplifies purchasing
💡 Consider clearances - Standard Box Depth should leave adequate clearance for slides
💡 Test your configurations - Create a test cabinet to verify drawer boxes build correctly
💡 Document custom settings - Use comments or external documentation for complex configurations
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's the difference between "Plant on Bottom" checked vs. unchecked?
A: Checked means the part sits ON TOP of the bottom panel. Unchecked means the bottom panel fits IN A GROOVE (dado) in that part. Most drawers have front/back sitting on the bottom, with sides having the bottom in a groove.
Q: Why use standard heights and depths instead of custom calculations?
A: Standard sizes reduce variety, simplify ordering, improve inventory management, and speed up production. You stock fewer sizes and can pre-build drawer boxes.
Q: What is "Standard Box Depth" and why is it based on 24" cabinets?
A: This is the base reference depth. Enter what you want for a 24" deep cabinet (e.g., 21" = 3" clearance), and Mozaik automatically scales this proportion for other cabinet depths.
Q: Can I have different drawer box configurations in the same job?
A: Yes, you can assign different drawer box types to different drawers in the Product Editor.
Q: What does CNC Dovetail do?
A: It changes the construction method from dado joints to CNC-cut dovetail joints and allows you to configure the dovetail tooling parameters.
Q: Why do I need blind dados and qualified tenons?
A: They create a cleaner appearance - the dado grooves don't show on the ends of the drawer sides when you look at the drawer from the front or back.
Q: What's a good starting point for labor time?
A: Start with 10 minutes for standard dado drawer boxes and adjust based on your actual shop measurements. Dovetail boxes may take longer.