Reply by Wdwerker

Ends of the wire braces were flattened, drilled, tapped and a machine screw held it in. Plywood surface was laminated with plastic laminate, no paint. Look close and you can see the dark edge of the laminate . Don’t use MDF it will crack under shifting loads on the drawer box. Use Baltic birch for a clean decorative plywood exposed edge.
My father owned an office supply house so they sent me all the repair work. I have worked on several pieces like the one in the picture.

-- Fine Custom Woodwork since 1978