Fig 3 shows a hardwood drawer designed for a kitchen unit. The drawer must withstand repeated pulling forces when opened and closed. (a) Name the type of wo...
Question 1 Report
Fig 3 shows a hardwood drawer designed for a kitchen unit. The drawer must withstand repeated pulling forces when opened and closed.
(a) Name the type of wood joint most commonly used at the front corners of a high-quality drawer. [1]
(b) Give two reasons why this joint is suitable for a drawer that will be pulled open frequently. [2]
Answer Details
(a) The joint most commonly used at the front corners of a high-quality drawer is the dovetail joint (either through dovetail or lapped dovetail). [1] The lapped dovetail is particularly common at the drawer front because the joint is hidden from the front face, while the through dovetail may be used at the back corners where appearance is less critical.
(b) Two reasons why the dovetail joint is suitable for a frequently opened drawer: [2]
- The interlocking trapezoidal shape of the tails and pins creates a strong mechanical lock that directly resists the pulling force applied when the drawer is opened. The wider end of each tail faces outward, meaning the joint physically cannot be pulled apart along the direction of the pull. [1]
- The interlocking fingers create a large glue surface area, giving a very strong adhesive bond that reinforces the mechanical interlock and ensures the joint remains tight over years of repeated use. [1]
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