Installing Drawer Runners

Drawer runners support a drawer as it slides open or closed while ensuring a smooth motion. Drawer runners can be categorized based on various groupings such as the material, mechanism design and application.

Material Used

Drawer runners are lengths of wood or metal assembly that are mounted on both sides of a drawer housing. Unlike the metal assemblies, the wood models are not flush with the housing; they protrude a little to fit in a groove carved on either side of the drawer.

Type of Slide Mechanism

Drawer Slides: While a channel is mounted on the inside of the housing, a bracket with a roller is mounted on the sides of the drawer. This set provides smooth movement of the drawer. This category of drawer runner can also be self-closing, meaning a drawer which slides back on its own.

Ball-Bearing Slides: Smooth and sturdy, ball-bearing slides are comprised of 2 parts that slide into each other and clip together. They are available in 2 versions based on how much of the drawer you want to open: a shorter ¾ version and a full-extension version.

Friction Slides: In this version, a slide and a back plate are guided along a center drawer track.

Application

You can also discuss drawer runners in terms of various types of application from small cabinet runners to heavy-duty industrial runners.
 
Full Extension Runner

For applications where you need full access to the back of the drawer, you will want to use a full-extension runner, which covers the full length of a drawer, Generally, it uses 3 slides and 2 sets of stainless steel ball bearings.

Full-Extension Concealed Soft Closing

This version of the full-extension runner incorporates a soft-close technology.

Touch-Release Runners

This is a full-extension drawer runner with a push-latch mechanism. When the drawer is closed, it is held shut with this mechanism. A soft push on the drawer will release the mechanism and open the drawer
 
Installing a Drawer Runner

After you have decided on the type of drawer runner you want to install, the actual installation of the drawer runner is not complicated.
 
Step 1: Start with screwing the runners to the sides of the drawer. The runner on one side of the drawer should be parallel with the one on the other and at the same distance from the top and bottom.
 
Step 2: Next, hold your drawer in the cavity where it has to finally fit and make sure that the sliders are fully closed. With a writing implement, mark tiny circles where the holes for the screws need to be made.
 
Step 3: Use appropriate tools and safety aids based on the surface where the screws will be driven in.  If you have to work with wood, using a bradawl on the marks you made will be quite an aid to working in the screws.

Step 4: Finally, remove the drawer and use a screwdriver to slightly loosen each runner. Now check the alignment with a spirit adjuster and when you are satisfied, tighten the screws. Your fixtures are ready. Glide the drawer into place and enjoy how smoothly it works.