How to Fix a Broken Dresser Drawer
In a jam? Dresser drawers take a lot of abuse. Humidity, slamming and over-stuffing can cause their runners to stick and bottoms to warp and fall out. The frustrating daily tugs and jimmying can make drawer pulling a hair-pulling experience. Wooden dresser drawers sometimes require maintenance, but simple fixes can take the aggravation out of opening your dresser drawers. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Pry bar
- Nail puller
- Nail punch and hammer
- Nails
- Lumber
- Tape measure
- Wooden mallet
- Glue
- Clamps
- Paraffin wax
Instructions
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Repairing a Drawer Bottom
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1
Remove the drawer from the dresser. Disassemble the drawer by sliding the bottom piece out with a pry bar. If the bottom piece sets into a groove, you will have to remove the back of the drawer to replace the bottom. Pull out nails with nail puller.
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2
Take out the old bottom of the drawer. If the only problem with the bottom is warping, flip the bottom over and slide it back into place. Nail.
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3
Use the old bottom as a template to cut a new bottom piece if the old piece is not salvageable. Slide new bottom into place.
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4
Rack drawer, applying pressure at opposite corners, until the diagonal measurements are equal in length. Nail. Replace the back of the drawer if removal was required.
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5
Lubricate runners with paraffin wax.
Repairing Unsquare Joints
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6
Remove the drawer from the dresser. Disassemble the drawer by carefully knocking it apart with a hammer and block, or wooden mallet. Remove nails with a nail puller.
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7
Remove old glue residue. Re-glue and reassemble the drawer.
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8
Clamp pieces in place for a minimum of two hours.
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9
Mid-way through clamping time, measure diagonal measurements from opposite corners to ensure drawer is square. Repeat after two hours. Adjust clamping if necessary. Nail.
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10
Lubricate the runners with paraffin wax.
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