Expert: Jamie Yocono - 10/13/2009

Question
Hi Jamie,

I recently purchased a new wood dresser and chest of drawers, but no matter what I do I can not release the drawers from the bottom track.

I can't find any release tab on the single metal track centered on the bottom of each drawer nor do they come out when i fully extend them and try to lift them out. I know that they must come out but for the life of me I can not figure this out.

If you can advise me on this situation I would be extremely grateful.

Sincerely,

William P.

Answer
Hi William,

It's really difficult to answer your question, as there are so many center mounted drawer slides out there. The tabs or release mechanisms are usually pretty challenging to locate. Even I have a tough time, and I've been working with drawer slides a long time.

If there is any way to find a manufacturer's mark on the slide, that would go a long way in helping to find out how to remove the drawer. The manufacturer's mark might be something as simple as a stamped logo or initial in the metal. I would look for something like that.

Some of the more well known drawer slide manufacturers include Blum, Grass, Accuride and Knape & Vogt. There are many other "off brands", so it's hard to know what you have. But it's been my experience that almost every center undermounted drawer glide I run into is a Knape & Vogt. I'm not sure why!

K&V makes two types of these slides. The 1129 slide features a friction disconnect, meaning you just have to pull on the drawer (fairly hard) to remove it. The 1175 slide actually has a small bracket with a wheel mounted on the back of the drawer box. To remove this, you pull the drawer all the way out, and then lift up on the drawer box, pulling the wheel out of the track. This second one is really old fashioned, so I'm guessing you probably have the friction disconnect one.

On the other hand, you might not have a K&V slide at all! Sometimes the release button isn't a button at all, but rather, a thin tab of plastic or metal clip that you press to the left or right. Like I said, it's VERY hard to tell.

I suggest you climb under your drawer with a flashlight and inspect it. You're looking for either a manufacturer's mark to identify it. Or a small piece that could possible be the release. Take a picture of the slide, if you can't find anything, and I'll try to identify it. Try to take a picture that is in focus, you won't believe some of the images that some people send me. :)

Also, this website might help you: http://www.slidedummy.info/index.htm

Write back if you have more questions, I'll try to help. Good luck. You'd be surprised how many times people have written to me with this same question. I think drawer slide companies should have a little sticker attached to their slide, to help people out.

Good luck!

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