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How to install wardrobe drawer runners?

ennoh

The runners for two drawers in a wardrobe have been removed - presumably the former owner had a problem with them but never fixed it. The only clue as to what may have been the problem is the damage to one side of a drawer and the fact that a small white plastic screw was missing from that drawer. I dont know what company made the cupboard - so I dont know what type of runners to buy. I have attached pics of one of the drawers and also the inside of the cupboard where the drawers should go. Any suggestions as to how to get the drawers installed again would be greatly appreciated.

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EricL

Hello @ennoh

Thank you for sharing your question about your cabinet's drawer runners. One way to get an idea of what drawer runners were used is to have a look at the drawer beside it. This is on the condition that there is another drawer attached to the cabinet. If not, I suspect that the drawer used a plastic drawer runner such as the https://www.bunnings.com.au/taskmaster-295mm-white-plastic-drawer-runner-1-pair-295-x-9-x-7mm_p0290574 . This is because of the mounting holes on the side of the cabinet. They appear to be very similar but not exactly the same. Another clue is the side channel of the drawer. The deep channel is cut into the side of the drawer which allows a plastic rail to run into it.

However, there is no guarantee that the generic plastic rail that the store carries is compatible with your drawer. I propose taking some measurements and perhaps getting a packet of the plastic runners and testing them to see if they fit. It might be necessary to drill more mounting holes as the plastic rail has more mounting plugs along its length.

If you are not keen on drilling, another option is to test the https://www.bunnings.com.au/taskmaster-300mm-white-plastic-drawer-runner-1-pair_p0290575 . These use screws for mounting so it will not be necessary to drill into the cabinet.

But in saying that, it might also be possible to use a mechanical drawer runner such as the https://www.bunnings.com.au/goliath-standard-drawer-slide-pair-300mm_p4020967 . But the condition for using these is that you must at least have a 12.5mm gap between the cabinet and drawer body on both sides. If not, there will not be enough space to install the drawer runner.

I also propose fixing the worn-out section of the drawer channel by filling it in with https://www.bunnings.com.au/turbo-175ml-builder-s-bog_p1670144 .

Let me call on our experienced members @JoeAzza, @TedBear, @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

ennoh

Thanks Eric, the products you have recommended dont give me much confidence as the only review is a one star one… I would prefer something stronger like metal whereas the ones you suggested are plastic. But maybe the reviewer bought one from a dud batch, which can happen…. I wd be interested in the what your colleagues suggest

EricL

Hello @ennoh

I suggested those runners as they appear to be the ones that would possibly fit the configuration. I understand your hesitancy with plastic runners and would encourage you to measure and see if the metal drawer runners will fit.

Eric

TedBear

Hi @ennoh I suggest that the Goliath Drawer Slides suggested by @EricL may be well worth checking out, given that you don't wish to use the plastic runners again. They have good reviews (apart from someone saying that they don't self-close, despite the product info clearly stating that they aren't self closing). The groove in the side of the drawers may give you enough clearance to install them, if there isn't already enough clearance between the drawer sides and the openings.

I use them for my slide-out bin in the kitchen and they've been working well for years.

ennoh

I havent tried to replace any runners so have no experience with the plastic runners. The Goliath ones wont work as there is little clearance either side once the drawers are put in. I guess I have no options other than to try the plastic ones and see how they go.

Dave-1

Good Evening @ennoh

:) Bingo, we know why your draws have an insert in the sides, Id say its to maximise space for the drawer and therefore the runners.

I look at it like a math problem,

Draw width outside to outside =
The depth of the chanel =
The height of the channel =
the width of the whole cavity with out the draw =

So We takeaway the draw width from the cavity and then add the depth of the channel. This will be how much space a drawer slide will have to play (divide by two for sharing between sides) = ??

I like the idea of repairing the holes with builders bog that @EricL has suggested if needed so you can hopefully use the channels to make life easier.

And yeah id go with the Goliath ones that @TedBear and @EricL like as well :)

Dave

ennoh

Thanks all of you@!! I will go down to Bunnings in the morning.

Nailbag

Hi @ennoh

If you have no luck with the Goliath runners you could try these ones. Though not soft close and still rely on cavity opening and drawer width dimensions they are the most forgiving in tolerances. The drawer side fits to the bottom edges and are fixed from the underside. You will need to measure new lower positioning for the cabinet side. 3 screws for each arm is enough.

If either runner style is too thin, you can pack them out on the cabinet side with cardboard or actual 1mm packers.

Nailbag

ennoh

I tried the Goliath ones but I realise that the problem is that the draw inset is a rectangular prism. The runner that I need has to be perfectly oblong - and does not have a wider end…. There was a missing plastic stopper that I need to source too.

JacobZ

Hi @ennoh,

I'm joining the conversation late, so I am trying to piece things together a bit.

It looks like we had come to the conclusion that runners requiring clearance on either side would not work unless they could fit inside the groove on the outside of the drawer.

If you sit the drawer in place, in millimetres, how much gap is there between the drawer and the side walls of the cabinet?

Could you confirm the dimensions of that groove? How long, wide and deep is it in millimetres?

Did you end up trying the https://www.bunnings.com.au/taskmaster-295mm-white-plastic-drawer-runner-1-pair-295-x-9-x-7mm_p0290574 ? Looking at the situation, they certainly seem like the best option to me.

Are there any other drawers in this cabinet where the runners are still in place? Or is that the only drawer on the cabinet?

Any further details you can provide will help.

Jacob

ennoh

The recess in the side of the drawers is 403mm long x 7mm deep and 16mm wide. Three is a 2mm gap on either side of the drawers. The former owner removed the old runners. Would bunnings sell a little plastic stopper?

JacobZ

Hi @ennoh,

Thank you for those details, they certainly help. I think the plastic runner is likely still the only option that you could get to work given those dimensions.

Unfortunately, I've been unable to locate anything that perfectly resembles the little plastic stopper you are looking for. I suspect it was likely a proprietary piece that was included with the original cabinet.

About the closest thing I can think of is a shelf support pin, but they are not threaded so they would just sit in the hole as opposed to biting on to it. Perhaps it would be best to bring the one you have in store with you so the team can help you compare it to the hardware there. They may be able to find something close enough that will work.

Jacob

Dave-1

Good Evening @ennoh

The white pin could be replaced with a small screw and nut on the inside potentially.

Looking at teh photos you have shown us, there is always the possibility of replacing the draw itself with a slightly narrower one so you can use metal runners and then use the old faceplate on the new draw. A bit of messing around :/ but at least you have a path.

Dave

ennoh

I am going to use the plastic slider as if I can getit right, the drawers will sit flush and all will be well :-) Just one thing - the three extrusions in the runner are about 3mm to long and they need to be shortened - how can I do this?

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/home/leaving?allowTrusted=1&target=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bunnings.com.au%2Ftaskmaster-295mm-white-plastic-drawer-runner-1-pair-295-x-9-x-7mm_p0290574

MitchellMc

That sounds like a good plan, @ennoh.

If you need to shorten the runners by around 3mm, you could cut them down carefully with a fine-toothed saw. As it's only a small amount, another option would be to file or sand the ends down until you achieve the exact length you need.

I'd probably favour filing them down, as it'll give you more control and make it easier to keep all the runners at precisely the same length.

Mitchell

ennoh

Thanks Mitchell - I think I will go to Bunnings tomorrow and get a file - presumably in the tool shop?

Dave-1

Good Evening @ennoh

Yeah, in the tool shop. I would go for a Corse file (**** file) around a medium rasp. You dont need a fine one as it will take a lot longer to file away the plastic.

Crescent Nicholson 200mm 8" Flat **** File type deal. (there are some cheaper sets that would work as well)

hahahhahahah love it….. the "Auto check for swear word has caught B A S T A R _ _ F I L E :D Oh thats made my night. No I have no idea why its called that? @Noyade may tho?

Dave

Noyade

C'mon @Dave-1 - AI is our 'friend.' - 😏

I remember years ago our woodwork teacher mentioning the file and there were sniggers and giggles - so he demanded we all yell out the name as loud as we could five times and then "get over it!"

EricL

Hello @ennoh

Another possible option is to build the runners out of timber moulding. You can have it at the right size and length; it can be anchored to the side of the cabinet using nails and adhesive. The surface of the runner can then be waxed which should allow your drawer to operate smoothly. It would be a bit more work, but the fitting would be exact.

Eric

ennoh

Someone at the menshed suggested timber moulding but noted that it wouldnt be as smooth, but surely wax would be a temporary fix to make a runner smooth

Noyade

How often do you use the drawers?

Why not try wood moulding and see what happens?

EricL

Hello @ennoh

They do create a lot of friction when sliding against other wooden elements, and paraffin wax or beeswax is the time-tested standard to make them glide smoothly. Periodic maintenance is necessary when using timber runners. It was an option that I wanted to put into the mix, but if you prefer the plastic runners then that's what you should go with.

Eric

ennoh

hmmmm……. I would prefer one tried and true option - not two… I will try the runners and if they dont work out I will go with the timber moulding. I will report back when I have finished.