Router
Backsaw
Miter box
Screwdriver
Screws
Power drill/driver (optional)
Torpedo level
1x3 or 1x4 side rails (if new ones are needed)
1x1 wooden runners (pine, a soft wood, will work well)
Paraffin, beeswax, soap, or silicone
If a wooden kitchen drawer pulls to either side and sticks when opened or closed, it could be that its drawer runners need replacing.
Drawer runners are lengths of wood fastened to the left and right side rails of the drawer housing. The runners protrude from the housing enough to fit in a routed groove on each side of the drawer, supporting the drawer as it slides open or closed.
If wooden runners are worn, their fit with the routed drawer grooves can become slack in places, causing the drawer to angle and stick as it's pulled or pushed.
1.
Make New Wood Runners
When wooden drawer runners wear out, make new runner strips to fasten to the left and right side rails (Fig. 1).
It may help to make them slightly wider than the last set, since later you can rout the drawer grooves larger to match them; rerouting has the added benefit of smoothing over any knicks or depressions in the current grooves.
Next, attach the runners to the side rails, making sure the runner screw heads are countersunk so that they won't catch in the drawer grooves.
2.
Install the Side Rails
If the side rails are not already attached, install them, making sure the runner ends are flush with the drawer opening (Fig. 2).
Note: Once pulled forward past the runner, the drawer has no support.
3.
Rerout the Grooves
Measure and rout new drawer side grooves to the same dimensions as the side rail runners.
Use successive passes to rout the drawer grooves to the final depth. (Fig. 3)
4.
Test-Fit the Drawer
Test-fit the drawer in the opening; the runners should fit easily in the routed grooves (Fig. 4).
Rub the runners with paraffin, beeswax, soap, or silicone to smooth operation.
