Expert: Jamie Yocono - 1/9/2008

Question
Hi, i saw that you gave someone else advice on how to get a dresser drawer
out and i am having a similar problem.  I have an Arbek dresser and i have
tried to search that online and found nothing, i don't know if they make them
anymore.  The drawers are pretty solid and deep and they all seem to pull out
to different distances.  Some of them pull out about 10 inches while others
only pull out about 4-5 inches, so i can barely use them or see how they
come undone to be fixed. I would really appreciate any help you could offer
me.  I have two of these dressers and only use half of the drawers and it is
starting to drive me crazy i need more drawers! thank you so much

Answer
Hi George,

I'm not sure what I could add to the previous answer I gave about dislodging a stuck dresser drawer.  The only possible thing would be to look for something that will release the drawer box from the dresser box itself. Look for something like a lever, clip, or some sort of release mechanism.

If you don't see anything, see if you can locate a name stamped into the metal. Some common names or initials might include Grass, Accuride, Hettich, Blum, or KV.  If you see anything write back and let me know what you see.

Also, this is sort of a last resort, but it might help if you just yank on the drawer box. If it's only coming out 4 inches, it's probably jammed, like a roller is off track, or it has a dislodged ball bearing. Yanking on it might dislodge it and allow you to pull it out. Be careful you don't pull the dresser over on yourself!  I'm embarrassed to say I have a drawer that sticks like that, and a good tug on it allows it to fully open. I know..... what's that line about the shoemaker's kids have no shoes? I'm a furniture maker with a stuck drawer or two.... go figure!

One last thing- if you see any screws that you can remove, try taking them out. Remove all that you see, and  maybe you'll get lucky and loosen something up.

Let me know what you find after examining the glide, and I'll try to help more.

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com