
If you're looking to create long pull-out drawers for your camper van, there are several DIY methods available. One popular method involves using 80/20 extruded aluminium for the galley drawers, which offers a slim profile, secure mounting, and easy assembly. Another approach is to use plywood for the drawer boxes, with drawer slides attached using screws. When choosing drawer slides, under-mount slides are generally recommended over side-mount slides due to their adjustability and smoother operation. Soft-close drawer slides are also an option to consider for a more premium feel. Whatever method you choose, careful measurement and planning are key to ensuring your drawers fit perfectly and provide much-needed storage for your camper van adventures.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Materials | Baltic birch plywood, wood glue, brad nails, finish head screws, Rockler cross-cut sled, Rockler finish washers, powerhead screws, 34" drawer slides, leather, rotary cutter |
Tools | Table saw, miter-saw, right angle drill, crosscut sled |
Drawer Slides | Under mount drawer slides are recommended over side mount drawer slides due to their adjustability and smoother slide close. |
Drawer Slide Length | Determine the depth of the drawer that will fit inside the cavity and round down to the nearest standard size (in 3" increments). The cavity should be at least 1" longer than the drawer slide. |
Drawer Construction | Kreg Jig and pocket screws, finger joinery, or more advanced techniques with more tools. |
Drawer Face Plates | Overlay or inlay. Overlay plates use 1/2" thickness of wood and hide the frame material, while inlay plates use 1/4" plywood and expose the extruded aluminum. |
Latch Mechanisms | Positive catch latching mechanisms are necessary to prevent drawers from flying open. Stainless steel boat hatch latches are recommended for durability. |
What You'll Learn
Cutting plywood to size
The first step in building pull-out drawers for your camper van is to cut the plywood to size. This will form the boxes that will be pulled out from the cabinet. For this project, you will need 1/2" Baltic birch plywood.
To cut the plywood to the correct size, you will need to use a table saw and a miter saw. A crosscut sled can be used to ensure that your cuts are straight and square. Cut the plywood pieces to the width you require using the table saw, and then cut them to the correct length with the miter saw.
It is important to measure carefully and cut accurately to ensure that your drawer boxes fit together properly. Sand the edges of the plywood with 180-grit paper to smooth them down before assembly.
Once you have cut all the pieces to size, you can begin assembling the boxes. Use wood glue and brad nails to hold the pieces together, and then reinforce the joints with finish head screws. Make sure that you keep the box square during assembly for the best results.
After the boxes are assembled, you can move on to the next step of installing the drawer slides.
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Installing drawer slides
Now that you have cut out your plywood and assembled the box for your camper van drawers, it's time to install the drawer slides. This process can be tricky, especially in a small space, so take your time and consider using a right-angle drill for hard-to-reach areas.
First, decide on the type of drawer slides you want to use. You can choose between undermount and side mount drawer slides. Undermount drawer slides are much more forgiving and adjustable, offering a smoother slide close. They also require fewer extruded aluminium supports than side mount slides. For these reasons, undermount drawer slides are recommended for your camper van project.
Once you have selected the appropriate drawer slides, follow these steps for installation:
- Measure the depth of your cavity to determine the length of the drawer slide you need. Standard sizes for drawer slides typically come in 3-inch increments.
- Choose a drawer slide that is one inch shorter than your cavity. For example, if your cavity is 23 inches, opt for a 21-inch drawer slide.
- Attach the drawer slides inside the cabinet using screws. If you are working with aluminium framing, you will need to substitute screws for bolts.
- Place 1/4-inch spacers under the box and slide it into place.
- Pull the box out slightly and screw the slide into the box. You may need to remove the box temporarily to access hard-to-reach screw holes.
- Repeat this process for each drawer, ensuring that the slides are level and aligned correctly.
With the drawer slides installed, you can now move on to creating the drawer front and completing your pull-out storage system for your camper van.
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Creating a drawer front
Once you have the board cut to size, you can centre it on the drawer using a clever trick with playing cards. Cut a small strip of leather using a rotary cutter and then punch a small hole for a screw to go through. You will then need to attach a handle to the drawer front. You can use a finish head washer and a leather handle, ensuring that the screws go all the way through and into the box to securely attach the drawer front.
If you prefer a more streamlined look, you can opt for an inlay drawer face made from 1/4" plywood. This will ensure that the drawer face does not protrude beyond the frame. Gluing the drawer face directly to the drawer is the next step, but be cautious when aligning it because, once the glue dries, there is no going back!
For those who want to conceal the aluminium frame, overlay drawer plates are the way to go. This option offers a shaker style, adding a touch of warmth to the industrial feel of aluminium. Overlay drawer faces are typically made from 1/2" thick wood, providing a more substantial look and feel.
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Using soft-close drawer slides
Soft-close drawer slides are a great option for your camper van drawers. They are a personal preference but are well worth it, especially as the aluminium in your van will make drawers slamming sound harsh. When installing soft-close slides, be aware that slam latches will not close with enough force to automatically engage, so if you want your latch mechanism to close without additional effort, do not opt for soft-close.
Soft-close drawer slides are available in a range of sizes, from 15-inch to 24-inch, and can be purchased from retailers such as Lowe's. When installing soft-close slides, you may need to add a latch to keep drawers closed when the van is in motion. This will depend on the direction the drawers face and the weight inside them. Front-facing drawers are more likely to fly open when you brake, whereas side-facing drawers will open when turning corners.
To avoid this issue, you can use full-extension self-closing slides, which have a weak self-retainer feature that usually holds them closed. Alternatively, you can use marine slam latches, which are made of stainless steel or plastic. Stainless steel is a more durable option, but plastic latches are half the cost. You can also use simple soft-close slides with sturdy metal latches.
Soft-close slides are also available as side-mount options, which are almost as good as undermount Blum slides in terms of action and feel. However, if you are a hobby furniture maker, it is recommended to only use undermount Blum for soft-close. For non-soft-close, any brand of slides will work, but Knape and Vogt offer a noticeable bump in quality for just a few bucks more.
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Choosing the right drawer slides
Drawer slides are an essential component of any camper van conversion project. They can make it easier to access your gear in the small space of a camper van and improve your use of space. When choosing the right drawer slides, there are several factors you need to consider:
Type of Drawer Slides
The three main types of drawer slides are side mount, undermount, and center mount. Side mount drawer slides are the most popular type and are mounted on either side of the drawer. Undermount drawer slides are attached to the bottom of the drawer, so no hardware is visible when the drawer is pulled out. Center mount drawer slides are sold as a single slide that goes underneath the drawer in the center.
Length of Extension
Drawer slides come in different lengths, including partial, full, and over-extension. For regular cabinet drawers, full extension is the best choice as it allows you to see everything in the drawer. Over-travel or over-extension drawer slides are useful if you want extra clearance, such as for a campervan toilet.
Weight Rating
It is important to choose drawer slides with a suitable weight rating for your application. Consider what items the drawer slide will be holding. For example, drawer slides for bikes will need to be much beefier than those for toiletries. Most common slides have weight ratings between 35lbs and 500lbs.
Soft Close and Self Close
More premium drawer slides offer features like soft close and self-close. "Soft close" means there is a mechanism that prevents drawers from slamming closed, while "self-close" means the drawer will close automatically once it reaches a certain point. These features give your drawers a premium feel.
Installation Precision
Installing your own drawer slides requires careful precision. Being off by even 1/16 of an inch can ruin an installation. It is also important to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully to ensure the slides are installed correctly and do not sag or bend.
Brand and Quality
Choosing a budget brand for your drawer slides can end up being more expensive in the long run when you have to replace malfunctioning slides. It is worth investing in higher-quality slides from reputable brands, such as BLUM, LONTAN, and Accuride.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need plywood, wood glue, brad nails, finish head screws, drawer slides, and a handle for the drawer front.
First, cut the plywood to the required size and sand it. Then, assemble the box using wood glue, brad nails, and finish head screws. Mount the drawer slides inside the cabinet, place spacers under the box, and screw the slide into the box. Finally, create a drawer front and attach it to the box.
80/20 extruded aluminum is strong and secure, and requires few tools to utilize. It is a popular choice for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts.
Under-mount drawer slides are recommended for camper van drawers. They are more forgiving than side-mount slides and offer ample adjustability for a smooth slide close. They also require fewer extruded aluminum supports.