Expert: Jamie Yocono - 6/18/2006

Question
Can I change the track dresser drawers run on from center bottom on the drawer to a ball bearing type that runs on the sides.  Or can I change an old dresser drawer track to open and close better.  Some of the track and rails are broken and even gone.

Answer
Hi Nancy,

It might be possible to make the switch from a track underneath your drawer to side mounted drawer glides, but it will depend on the size of your drawer and the size of your opening. Almost all drawer glides need a half inch (1/2") of clearance on EACH side. So if your drawer is, for example, 15" wide, the opening must be 16" wide. In simple terms, the opening needs to be one inch wider than the drawer box.

If that is the case, you can probably make the switch.

BUT- there are a couple of things to think about. If there is a face frame on the front of the dresser, you will need to build up the interior so that the glide will mount flat against the side. There are face frame adapters that are available, and using these will allow you to not have to build up the interior of the case. But these adapters are often hard to find, unless you buy your drawer glides from a place that sells the adapters also.

Drawer glides are sized by their length, so you'll need to measure your drawer from front to back and buy the appropriate length.

Last- if your drawer box size don't work because of it's size in relation to the opening size, it's sometimes possible to buy drawer glides that can be mounted in either position- vertically or flat, as in under the drawer box. Not all drawer glides are interchangeable, but some are. Accuride makes a glide for exactly this purpose (Accuride® Eclipse 3132EC Undermount Slide), but you may have a hard time finding this glide. Accuride also makes a 3800 series glide that is usually installed vertically, but can be adapted to a flat application- this would be a Accuride Full Extension Box Drawer Slide (Series 3832).

I just looked at Rockler.com, which is the website for Rockler Woodworking and Hardware Store. They sell both glides, so you might find it helpful to go to their website and see their illustrations and information on these glides. There are Rockler stores in most large cities, so if you're lucky, you might even find one in your hometown. If not, you obviously can purchase these online.

Last thing- these Accuride glides can be pretty pricey, so here's my suggestion. If you have the 1" clearance between your drawer box and the cabinet opening, you can buy a less expensive (and lower quality) drawer glide that might do the trick. These mount on the lower bottom edges of your drawer box, and work reasonably well. You'll save a lot using these, instead of the Accuride glides. Just a suggestion...... it really depends on the type of drawer box, the weight that this drawer will be holding, and what your budget is.

Good luck, I hope this helps. Feel free to write back with any other questions you might have after reading this. And - please take a moment and rate the answer that I have provided. It's good to get some feedback from those I help.

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