| Repairing Wood Drawers |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-301 |
|
|
|
advertisement
|
Q: Every desk and dresser in my house has a problem with one of the drawers. Can you give me some tips for fixing them? A: (from Bruce Johnson, Ask DIY Woodworking expert) I know exactly what you're talking about. The other day I started thinking about how many drawers there are in my house, and I lost count when I got over 50! And it seems like a lot of them have problems with smooth opening and closing.
One common problem relates to a drawer's glide feature. The first drawer shown here is fairly well constructed, but the nylon glide on the back (figure A) isn't very secure -- it's attached by just two small staples.
Since this part of the drawer is what keeps it straight within the framework, it's essential that it be secured firmly in place.
To remedy the problem, two short screws are used to better anchor the glide to the drawer. Simply drill two holes -- one near each end of the glide -- all the way through it (figure B), then insert the screws through the holes and drive them into the wood (figure C).
This will keep the glide secure, and the drawer will stay smoothly on track.
Another frequently occuring track problem relates to older drawers that have wooden strips along the bottom to hold them in place. Over time, the screws that hold a strip to the drawer bottom may come loose and ultimately fall out.
Once again, this is a relatively easy fix. Find the proper size screw (or screws, depending on how many are missing), insert it in place and tighten it down using a screwdriver (figure D).
In some cases, the bottom of old drawers become so worn or damaged they have to be replaced. This problem requires a little more effort than the first two fixes.
First, you'll need to look inside the drawer frame and find the grooves along the sides where the bottom panel will be inserted.
Next, measure the distance between the two grooves (figure E). Then subtract 1/8" from this measurement to ensure easy insertion.
Carefully cut the new panel to size using 1/4" oak plywood (figure F), which is readily available in any home-improvement center. Finally, turn the drawer upside down and gently slide the new bottom in place (figure G).
Be sure the panel is snugly fitted in the drawer frame before securing it to the back panel. Simply hammer in two small tacks along the back bottom edge of the panel ( figure H) to attach it to the frame.
Note: Glue should never be used in this type of repair, since it can actually make the structure of the drawer too rigid, causing problems later.
For a finished look, you may opt to apply a light coat of stain to the top of the panel before fitting it into the drawer. The walnut shade shown here (figure I) makes an attractive complement to the darker drawer frame.
Dovetail joints can present yet another problem. With frequent use, the glue in these joints can eventually wear away (figure J), causing the front of the drawer to hang at an angle or even fall off altogether.
The solution here is a fresh application of woodworker's glue. It doesn't require very much -- just a small drop or two in each cavity of the joint (figure K) will provide ample hold.
Once the glue is in the cavities, press the joint firmly back together and hold it in place for several seconds (figure L).
On this particular drawer, the back panel is attached with three nails on each side. Since the nails have worked themselves loose, they need to be hammered back in place (figure M) to prevent them from falling out.
To ensure that the glue takes firm hold on the joints, pressure is a must. A clamp tightened over the joints (figure N) and left in place for two to four hours will maximize the glue's effectiveness.
Once the clamp is in place, it may force a bit of glue out along the joint. Use a damp rag to remove the excess while it's still wet.
And last but not least -- outdated or damaged drawer pulls. This is probably the easiest fix of all and can provide a dramatic facelift in just a few minutes. Most home-improvement centers now stock a wide variety of knobs and handles that are all attached with simple screws (figure O).
Look inside the front panel of the drawer to find the screw (or screws) that hold the original hardware in place. Then just use a screwdriver to remove the old screws, take off the old drawer pull and screw the new one in its place.
What could be easier?
A final note: The most important thing to remember is that problems like these won't be a major headache if they're taken care of early -- so don't put off these simple repairs!
RESOURCES :
The Weekend Refinisher:
How to Make the Most of Your Furniture-A Step-by-Step Guide
Author: Bruce E. Johnson
Publisher: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 034535866X
The Wood Finisher: How to Finish Everything, From Decks to Floors to Doors
Author: Bruce Johnson
ISBN: 0345372972
Ballantine Books
ITT Technical Institute
Special thanks to the ITT Technical Institute for providing the personnel for the Ask DIY Web site video.
ITT Technical Institute
Website: www.itt-tech.edu/
The Complete Manual of Woodworking
Author: Albert Jackson
Publisher: Knopf
ISBN: 0679766111
Fine Woodworking
A magazine devoted to high-quality craftsmanship in woodworking.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
The Furniture Doctor
Model: 0385266707
Author: George Grotz
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
