Retrofit metal runners to pre-existing drawers?

waipawa, Mar 2, 12:17am
Is this possible at reasonable cost?
My solid wood kitchen drawers are presently sawdust factories depositing sawdust into the drawers below.

comadi, Mar 2, 1:06am
It is possible if you have enough room between your existing drawer and cabinet sides.
Not much room is needed (about 12 mm each side) but you may have to alter the size of your drawers or cabinet hole.
Check out Hettich FR 402 runners or Hafele at Bunnings.

pauldw, Mar 2, 2:24pm
If it is possible to rout a 17mm rebate in the sides of the drawer there is a type of slide known as a groove runner. They should operate with the same clearance as before.

zak410, Mar 2, 7:37pm
Would be easier to repair the wooden drawers/guides.

To be 'sawdust factories' the drawers must be running over screws or similar.

punkinthefirst, Mar 3, 4:55pm
Or they have borer.

waipawa, Mar 3, 6:02pm
Thanks all for the replies . The drawers at present have no runners or guides. It's just solid pine wooden drawer scraping against close fitting wood framing. The main culprit is the cutlery drawer that is opened and closed 20 times a day. It's more of an ongoing annoyance than anything else, in a rather worn 45yr old kitchen that is well due for some (low cost) fixing up.

pauldw, Mar 3, 6:21pm
Rub some candle wax on the wearing surfaces while you are looking for plan b.

hammer23, Mar 3, 6:47pm
anything can be done and it all comes down to how many good $$$$$$ you want to throw into a worn out set of drawers. To pay someone to do it you will get no change out of $400.00 plus and you are still going backwards. Face up to it you need to keep some kitchen company busy.

waipawa, Mar 5, 3:05pm
That might just have to do for the time being.

jkm, Mar 7, 1:48pm
If you are a home handy type you can buy the metal runners on here that also act as the draw sides. recut the draw base and rear to fit the new sides and reuse the existing draw front.

sparkyz, Apr 27, 4:48am
I glued thin strips of shiny laminate on the cupboard frames for the drawers to slide on. Work well with no more sawdust.