This drawer made of solid maple sides, features custom locking drawer joint, known as a small key joint

This linen drawer literally tore apart from opening, even though it wasnt very heavy

The drawer is made from particle or pressed wood, which just crumbled under normal use

This silverware drawer is a good example of how poorly made drawers come apart.

The bottom was just stapled in and the sides pushed out. This is very common in cheaply made cabinets.

Here you can see a drawer bottom starting to fall out. These cabinets are only about 10 years old and the drawers have been coming apart for several years. Almost every drawer in this kitchen is now damaged from normal use.

This is a butt joint. The sides are just butted up to each other and glued and nails. locking joint.

This drawer is solid wood with a butt joint, and is properly made. It will last much longer than the particle board, but not as long as a locking joint.

This is a box joint being made. Its rough and unsanded, but gives you a look good look at the joint. Notice how it is interlaced together like fingers. It is very strong and should last.

This is a locking joint called a key joint. It is also very stong and is much like a dove-tail, except is has a nice rounded shape instead of the triangular shape of a dove tail.

This is the jig used to make the key joint

This is the kidney shaped jig. Much like the key, just a little differant shape.

This is the heart shaped jig. Also very stong like the other locking joints, this adds some nice detail.

Here is an example of a slab drawer front in cherry with a light stain. The edge is a small roundover with a light shadow line. This is a nice clean look and doesnt over shadow the purple heard on the door. Using a raised panel would have meant too much purple heart, so this was an excellant choice.

These Drawer fronts have a faux raised panel, which is the face beveled to create the rectangular shadow line in the middle. It creates a fancier look than a plain slab front, but not as busy as a raised panel front.

In this case, raised panel drawer front would have broken up the grain, and made for a busier look.

The walnut has so many beautiful colors, it didnt need any more detail

These cherry cabinet have a mahogany stain and a granite top. The drawer fronts are a true raised panel with a simple squared edge to match the doors perfectly.

This is the perfect example of when you would use a true raised panel. This setup is elegant and beautiful.