Expert: Jamie Yocono - 5/30/2007

Question
We have a chest of drawers that the drawers slide  on a u shaped rod in the middle.  My problem is something is stuck behind the drawer and it will not close properly.  We can't figure out how to remove the drawer.  There is something stopping the drawers from coming completely out.  Can you help?  Please.
Thank you,
Trisha

Answer
Hi Trisha,

I suspect the drawer slide that you have is a light duty center undermount slide, probably made by Knape and Vogt. That's a pretty common slide. Here's a link to the page where they're shown:

http://www.knapeandvogt.com/Light_Duty.html?page=details.76

This drawer slide consists of two parts- the U shaped channel that runs front to back in the opening, and then another part that's installed on the back of the drawer box. The part on the drawer box is probably not visible, which is why you can't figure the darn thing comes out! It mounts on the back of the drawer box, and when it's installed, there is a small roller that hangs down lower than the drawer box. This roller locks in the U channel, and that's how the drawer stays on track.

The key to removing the drawer is to pull it out as far as it can pull out, then tip the front of the drawer up. Then lift it up a bit on the drawer box to pull the roller from the channel. You may have to jockey it around a bit.  The roller wheel can only come out of the U channel through a small opening that's usually right in front. So you need to have the roller right in that spot in order to disengage the two.  It's really not too difficult, once you know the parts lock together via that roller.

Conversely, when you want to reinstall the drawer, you have to guide that roller into the opening at the front of the channel. It usually helps to tip the drawer front down a little, which allows you to see the roller and the channel at the same time.

OK, good luck, I hope this helps. Please feel free to write back if you have any further questions after reading this. And if this answer was helpful... please take a minute and rate my service. Thanks!

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