Full Extension Drawer Runners?

[wizer]

Hi Guys

I am planning on building a couple of cabinets for the workshop with a work surface ontop. It is inspired by Norm's Garage Workshop series.

This is what I have so far:

I want to have drawers in the open space. Norm uses some heavy duty full extension drawer runners. This seems like a good idea for me. I want something sturdy.

I have never made drawers, so I was wondering how to construct them and what runners to use? How do know what dimensions to make the drawer boxes, allowing for the runners.

Any help much appreciated.

 

[OllyK]

A lot depends on the runners you plan to use. They should tell you the clearance that they require, so I'd source some of those first, I know ScrewFix do them, but they're not cheap. You can either stick with that, or route a dado in to the drawer side and cabinet side to set them in.

As for drawer, I went for dovetailing the front on to the sides. Dado on each side at the rear to take the back and a slot routed at the bottom of all 4 to take the base. If you plan to put a separate face on the drawer so that it covers the front of the cabinet rather than being inset, you could possibly get away with a Dado and some mechanical fixings, but the nice thing about a dovetail is it will ensure that the front doesn't come off!

HTH

 

[wizer]

Thanks Olly. I couldn't find full extension runners on Screwfix?

Do you have to buy the closest length to your drawer\cabinet?

 

[OllyK]

Thanks Olly. I couldn't find full extension runners on Screwfix?

Do you have to buy the closest length to your drawer\cabinet?

Try this

Assuming your drawer is going the full depth of the cabinet, then yes, you want the longest runner you can that is under the depth available to you. On the page a bove there are some bottom mounted runners as well, not sure if they are full extension, but they generally take up less width.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Hi Wizer
I've just bought a pair of FE slides from B&Q, about £13 I think. I've not fitted them yet, but they seem good quality to me. The fitting instructions say that you need 1/2" clearance each side.

I also have a pair of slimline ones (although they are not FE) which take up only about 6mm. So I would say definitely buy your slides before making your drawers.

As for the drawers themselves, I make mine in NK construction (as they are easy to fit) with through dovetails all round and a drawer front. I cut the dovetails on a bandsaw. The results are excellent, it's quite quick and you don't need a dedicated dovetail jig.

Cheers
Poorly-but-getting-better-Steve

 

[Racers]

Hi,

I have used old filing cabinet runners in the past, some realy old ones just un-clip from the draw and sides, others I have had to drill out the spot welds, but then you do have screw holes.


Pete

 

[OllyK]

Hi Wizer
I've just bought a pair of FE slides from B&Q, about £13 I think. I've not fitted them yet, but they seem good quality to me. The fitting instructions say that you need 1/2" clearance each side.

I also have a pair of slimline ones (although they are not FE) which take up only about 6mm. So I would say definitely buy your slides before making your drawers.

As for the drawers themselves, I make mine in NK construction (as they are easy to fit) with through dovetails all round and a drawer front. I cut the dovetails on a bandsaw. The results are excellent, it's quite quick and you don't need a dedicated dovetail jig.

Cheers
Poorly-but-getting-better-Steve

You'll probably find the same runners in ScrewFix at a significantly lower price, I did and kicked myself as I have a ScrewFix walk in shop right next to B&Q :roll:

 

[p111dom]

Screwfix are sort of the cheapest for these but they only sell 500 550 and 600. If you want anything else you'll have to go elsewhere. A 600mm runner from B&Q is around £12 but only £7 (ish) from screwfix. They are only sold in the superstores in B&Q. If you can be bothered and you're buying a lot, if there's a Screwfix shop near a B&Q warehouse nears you take the screwfix catalogue to them and they should sell you the runners for that price minus 10%. At lest I think thats their price promise.

 

[Fecn]

Isaac Lord have a good selection of drawer slides too.. They seemed like the cheapest place last time I was looking.

 

[p111dom]

I second that Fecn and they're a really good company to deal with. I just went out to take some pics because my workshop cabinets are very Norm-esque. 16 full extension runners on various cabinets around the shop. I rate them highly. All the shelves pull out too.

All the drawers are cheap WBP 12mm ply with the same for the bottoms. The shelves are 18mm MDF edge banded with 18mm birch ply.

 

[Jhalfa]

Take a look at http://www.bullerltd.co.uk

I have used theirs a number of time. They are relatively cheap and do all kinds of sizes

 

[motownmartin]

Take a look at http://www.bullerltd.co.uk

I have used theirs a number of time. They are relatively cheap and do all kinds of sizes

I have used Buller ltd too, found them very reasonable.

 

[p111dom]

www.bullerltd.co.uk/

:shock: WOW they're really cheap! Damn just ordered a 350mm runner this morning for almost double the price :evil:

 

[Slim]

Buller are also an excelent company to deal with. I have used them many times and always got excelent service and next day delivery.

 

[wizer]

bilmey riley, that is a good price. Thanks. I will be using Buller.

I'm not sure I want to go the dovetail route on these drawers. A dado for the bottom and sides and biscuits on the front, i think. I want this to be done quickly so I can move onto other things. Design normally takes me 5 times longer than build so i'm also trying to cut that process down. This is simple, right?

Dom your pics help alot. Thanks for taking the time to take and post. I hadn't considered a sliding shelve.

I have another question about sheet material, but i think it warrants a separate thread...

Thanks guys, who said this forum was dieing?
:wink:

 

[WellsWood]

Damn! that's cheap. Thanks for the link Jhalfa, I've been putting off a revamp of the workshop storage situation mainly due to the cost of the runners. At those prices though I feel some new drawers coming on :lol: :lol:

 

[wizer]

Wanna combine an order Mark? I know it's only for the sake of £8 delivery, but every penny and all that/

 

[WellsWood]

Yes Tom that's a great idea, it'll take me until end of this/beginning of next week to work out what I need. Ive got a kitchen workbench thing on the drawing board which has to be complete for Christmas (mum's pressie), so I'll need a few for that as well as some for the WS revamp but won't know what sizes until I've finished the plans.
When do you want yours for?

 

[wizer]

Middle of next week at the latest tbh. Let me know how you get on.

 

[martlewis]

Just wanna give BullerLtd my vote too. Every cabinet I've made has runners from them and never had a problem. Fast delivery and great customer service, and excellent value!

Martin