As promised, today I’m sharing how to install drawer slides on a vintage dresser. This is a great way to give an old dresser new life, especially if you plan on using it a lot and have been frustrated with sticky or sagging drawers.
Back a few years ago when I used to refinish dressers and sell them, the most common complaint I used to hear from people regarding old, antique, or vintage dressers were the drawers. Because most of them had wood drawer slides, over time and with different environments, the wood would wear down. This caused them to not slide smoothly, stick, sag when you pulled them out all the way, and were overall a pain if you used them a lot. Most people who fell in love with an older piece accepted this as the ‘character’ of older dressers. I tend to agree. But for those who love the look of vintage dressers but love the functionality of new dressers, this tutorial will help you achieve that!
In my opinion the best type of drawer slide to install and use is metal ball-bearing drawer slides. They are more durable and easier to install, making their higher price point well-worth it.
Drawer Slides: Bring On The Heavy Metal
Slide out the drawer bottom (may have to remove nails with a hammer) and if it’s in good shape, save it to reuse. Use a circular saw to cut off the sides from the drawer face. Pry apart the sides from the back. Cut off tenons from drawer sides and discard the drawer back.
Measure the length of the drawer face and the height of the drawer sides from the routed groove. Cut the 1/2″ plywood to that same height and
. The reason why you want the length different is because the metal drawer slides require 1/2″ clearance on either side of the drawer carcass. You also will be attaching the new 1/2″ plywood between the two drawer sides (which are 1/2″ thick), so you have to subtract their thickness as well from the total length of the plywood front and back (hence 2″). Drill 2- 1/2″ pocket holes on either end of the plywood pieces and attach them to the drawer sides using 1″ pocket hole screws. Pre-drill and screw into place the new plywood drawer front into the back of the drawer face. Slide the drawer bottom back into place (into the routed grooves on the side pieces) and nail into the front and back using 1″ nails.
Slideology 101: How To Install A Drawer Slide In Five Easy Steps
Using a clamp and a level, position the 1×3 boards on the inside sides of the dresser for each drawer opening. Attach them using 1 1/2″ wood screws into (pre-drilled holes– important to always pre-drill holes into old wood so it doesn’t split).
You may need to use some wood shims (from scrap 2×4) to get the board to be the right thickness. The clearance on each side of the drawer can only be 1/2″ for the metal drawer slides to fit and work properly. So, you need the wood on each side to be the right thickness so the attached metal slide sticks out far enough. The 1×3 is 3/4″ thick so wood shims can add an additional 1/16″ or 1/8″ or 1/4″ thickness depending on what you need. I attached the 1x3s first, installed the metal glides on the drawer and inside and then measured to see how thick I needed my wood shims to be (I used 1/8″) on each side and added accordingly.
Measure and mark level the position of the slide that goes on the inside of the dresser. Attach with the provided screws. Slide into place the part of the slide that goes on the actual drawer. Mark the height and depth of that part of the slide from the opening and make corresponding marks on the outside of each drawer side. Attach the part of the slide that goes on the drawer and test fit it into the drawer opening. It is normal to have to make some adjustments. The slides need to be level and straight (on both the outside of the drawer and the inside of the dresser and they both have to be positioned the same depth on both sides in order for the drawers to slide in and out smoothly.While there are many types of drawer slides one can purchase or make, I always seem to gravitate back to these full-extension ball bearing slides. I find I never have to worry about the drawer tipping out or binding the way I do with other systems. With that said, they are also extremely easy to install. If you haven’t already, check out our easy DIY Drawer tutorial (hint: no router or table saw required!), and then follow along below to get the drawer installed and sliding smoothly.
Custom Pull Out Shelving Soultions Diy
Measuring from the inside floor of the cabinet, mark a height of 8¼ inches near the front and back of each side wall. Using the marks and a straightedge, draw a level line across the wall on each inside wall of the cabinet. Make a mark on each line that’s 7/8 inch from the front edge of the cabinet. This allows room for the thickness of the drawer front plus an 1/8-inch inset.
Align the bottom edge of the first slide above the line, as shown. Position the front edge of the slide behind the mark near the face of the cabinet.
Holding the slide firmly in place, push the extension forward until both sets of screw holes are visible. Using a drill/driver, drill shallow pilot holes in one screw hole near the front and back of the slide. Using the screws provided, mount the slide to the inside of the cabinet. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to mount the second drawer slide on the opposite side of the cabinet.
Drawer Slides: The Inside Story
Using a tape measure, mark the center of the height of the drawer box on its outer side walls. (Note: this drawer is shown without the drawer face, which will be installed at the end of this tutorial.) Using a straightedge, mark a horizontal line along the outside of the drawer box on each side.
Remove the detachable section of each drawer slides, and place it on the corresponding drawer side. Position the slides so that they are centered on their corresponding line and flush with the face of the drawer box, as shown.
Hold the drawer level in front of the cabinet. Place the ends of the slides attached to the drawers into the tracks inside the cabinet. Pressing evenly on each side of the drawer, slide the drawer into place. The first slide inward can sometimes push a bit tougher, but once the tracks are engaged, the drawer should slide back out and in smoothly.
How To Install Soft Close Drawer Slides
Apply wood glue to the face of the drawer box. With the drawer closed, position the drawer face with equal gaps along the top and side edges. Using clamps, secure the drawer face against the drawer box.
Carefully slide the drawer open, and then drive 1-inch screws through the holes in the drawer box and into the backside of the drawer face to secure it in place.We will walk you through the process of the side mount installation quickly, easily and efficiently in just 6 steps. (You will need: drill, carpenter’s square)
The first thing we want to do is grab one of the drawer slides in hand and separate the drawer profile slip from the slide by pressing the trigger disconnect lever
How To Install Cabinet Drawer Boxes
The next thing we want to do is determine the placement of your drawers. Use a pencil to mark the place where you want to attach the slide. (note: make sure to check the top sides and bottom of the drawer for clearance.)
Now we are going to attach the cabinet drawer slides. Align the bottom edge of the first slide above the line, as shown. Position the front edge of the slide behind the mark near the face of the cabinet.
Now you will use a drill to pre-drill the holes you will need to attach the slides to the wood. Holding the slide firmly in place, push the extension forward until both sets of screw holes are visible. Using a drill/driver, drill shallow pilot holes in one screw hole near the front and back of the slide. Using the screws provided, mount the slide to the inside of the cabinet. Repeat to mount the second drawer slide on the opposite side of the cabinet.
How To Install Drawer Slides: A Complete Guide For All Kinds Of Slides
Hold the drawer level in front of the cabinet. Place the ends of the slides attached to the drawers into the tracks inside the cabinet. Pressing evenly on each side of the drawer, slide the drawer into place. The first slide inward can sometimes push a bit tougher, but once the tracks are engaged, the drawer should slide back out and in smoothly.
Once you have inserted the drawer into the cabinet test it out to make sure everything has been connected correctly and it is moving smoothly.
You may interesting (1) How to replace old drawer slides? Only 5 Easy Steps! (2) How to choose your drawer
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