Expert: Jamie Yocono - 7/19/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi, We have a large mahogany dresser from the 50s that has wood "glides"--only they don't glide on the big drawers. Is there any way to retrofit a bureau to use the metal glides? The dresser isn't so usable as is. Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Sondra,

Most side and bottom mounted drawer glides require a 1/2" per side to mount a drawer box inside a cabinet. That means if your drawer measures, for example, 18" outside to outside, then the cabinet interior opening must measure 19". That allows for a half inch per side.

So that's the first step in determining if you can retrofit your cabinet to use metal drawer glides, instead of your existing wooden glide system. If you have that one inch difference, then you can do it.

But..... there are some drawer glide systems that don't require that much clearance. These are bottom mount systems, but they require some different things- like notching on the underside of the drawer, to accommodate the glides.  

Here are a few suggestions- if you measure the drawer and determine you have the one inch clearance, then just about any drawer glide will work for you. I recommend a side mounted glide, like ones made by Accuride, as they can be mounted just about anywhere on the side of the drawer.  Here's a link to see them: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=16979

Here's another thought-you mentioned the existing wood glides just rub wood on wood. They make a nylon wooden tape that will ease that wood on wood rubbing. Here's a link: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=214  This is a low cost solution that would be pretty easy, but it depends on how bad the wear and tear is on the old wooden glides.

Here's a link to drawer glides, in general:  http://www.rockler.com/CategoryView.cfm?Cat_ID=41&ln=1

The bottom line is- if you have the clearance, it's pretty easy to switch your drawer to a mechanical glide. If you don't have the one inch, it can still be done, but not as easily.

Look at these links and see if any of them are helpful. Also, another place to look at might be Van Dykes Restoration, which sells hardware and supplies for restoring old furniture. Here's a link to their site: http://www.vandykes.com

Finally, I should probably mention that drawer glides come in sizes. So measure your drawer box (not including the face) of your drawer from front to back. A drawer box that measures 18" would use an 18" drawer glide. If you fall in between, say your box is 19", always order the smaller size. Otherwise, if you buy the longer size, your drawer might not close!

I hope this all makes sense, if not- write back and I'll try to help again.

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


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the advice!

The drawer is about flush side-to-side with the opening. Below, there is about 1.5" between the bottom of the drawer and the bottom of the drawer front. The glide itself is about .75" tall. Do you think a bottom glide will work?

I'm not so tool-handy beyond a saw, hammer and screw driver, so I'd probably try to find someone to fix it, if possible--a cabinet maker? Meanwhile, I'll check for the nylon wooden tape!

Again, thank you!
Sondra


Answer
Sondra,

Glad I could help.

That bottom mount glide is really quirky, if you're not too handy with tools, I probably would not recommend you try it.

Here's a suggestion- I used to teach adult ed woodworking for a local college. We always had someone wandering in, needing help with something. Why not contact a local school- high school or college, and ask if they have a wood program. Then bring a box of doughnuts to the class, and ask for help. Doughnuts always worked for me and my students.  :)

Good luck,

Jamie in Las Vegas