Assemble the drawers with glue, wiping away the excess. As you put the sides and ends together, slide the bottoms in place but do not glue them. Let them float in the grooves. After the glue dries, sand the joints clean and flush. Install drawer pulls, then fit each drawer to its opening, planing, scraping, and sanding away the stock until the drawer operates smoothly.
Wood expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity.
You should fit the drawers snugly if you make them in the summer, when it s hot and humid, because the wood will have expanded. When the wood shrinks in the winter, the drawers will still operate smoothly. Finish the work island. Remove the doors, drawers, and all hardware from the cabinet. Apply a finish to the wooden parts.