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  1. #1
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    Default Drawers in MDF cabinet

    Hi,
    I am building cabinet in MDF which is going to hold a number of drawers.
    I have got second thoughts about wear and tear of drawers against an MDF carcasse.
    I am going to paint and finish the drawer pockets with a hard wearing polyurethane but is this enough?
    Should I inlay strips of hardwod instead?

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  3. #2
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    Is there any reason you wouldn't want to include drawer runners? These aren't terribly expensive (at least here in Australia(, and will make the whole opening/closing of the drawer experience much more pleasant.

    If you're building from MDF, I am guessing you're not trying to reproduce any particular period look? If so, the drawer runners shouldn't detract from your design.

    For the sake of clarity, here's the sort of thing I'm thinking of: https://www.indrub.com.au/45kg-drawe...n-locking.html

    If you didn't want to do that, then it might come down to how you're designing the drawer/runner - a hardwood runner rebated into the MDF side of the drawer might actually be worse than putting them underneath the bottom of the drawer, though there's likely to be wear involved there too. In either of those situations, I'd be strongly tempted to put a finish over the MDF and hardwood, and finish off with a wax of some sort to provide as much slip as possible. It might also benefit from a regular rewaxing from time to time.

  4. #3
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    I am going to paint and finish the drawer pockets with a hard wearing polyurethane but is this enough?
    Hello Geir - Welcome to Woodwork Forums

    For what it's worth most polyurethane isn't all that hard wearing especially if in contact with something that rubs on it or against it.

    Midnight Mans idea of the drawer runners above is probably the best you'll get and relatively cheap at around EU5.40. There are lots of different types, most are dead easy to install and should last for a very long time. Probably outlast the cabinet and maybe even you.

    Hope this is of some help.

    Cheers - Neil
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  5. #4
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    Yes... drawer runners... any type you like if cost is a problem due to the number of drawers, There are some inexpensive ones made of plastic. They are more sturdy than you might think, and would be easy to replace if broken.

  6. #5
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    If you have already made the drawers to a size that won’t allow drawer runners then yes, the hardwood fillets will work well to prevent the mdf wearing. Fit them in such a way that they can be replaced some time in the future.

    I don’t like the look of drawer runners much myself.

    The photo shows some simple rock maple drawer sliders fitted to a jewellery cabinet about 20 years ago - still no obvious wear.

    Also, if you finish the inside of the drawer pockets with poly then the drawers may stick from time to time.

    6B842E1E-95C6-4E84-9F73-1EFD31945A91.jpg
    Apologies for unnoticed autocomplete errors.

  7. #6
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    Rather than Polyurethane I would use high density Polyethylene (HDPE).

    However, in the 4 drawer cabinet that I made to support one end of my computer desk the MDF drawers run on waxed hardwood.
    I warmed both the MDF and the hardwood runners with a hot air gun and rubbed wax into them.
    After 17 years they still are as smooth as drawer runners.

  8. #7
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    The choice is metal runners that can be a bit costly if there are quite a few needed, but give easy access to the back of the drawer

    or

    timber runners which are cheap and easy, but you either sacrifice drawer length (to have the runners hanging out the back for access to the back of the drawer)
    or you have to be careful when you pull it out for access to the back.

    Waxed hardwood runners work nicely. There is a little bit of sideways play but nothing that bothers me.

    TD runners.JPG
    Regards, FenceFurniture

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  9. #8
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    an old cabinet making trick to avoid wear and tear was to use lots of candle wax to stop friction leading to wear and tear.

  10. #9
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    FenceFurniture, I rather like those runners. They are easily made with a router (or table saw), easily put on and quite replaceable. I make kids bedside cabinets that use a single version of this and they work well, the double is worth giving a test of

    FWIW, Ive made HEAPS of cabinets of MDF. They all see daily use and none have any wear.

    It seems like an over rated thing to me.... though the hardwood strips would be useful.

    Drawer runners are sensible to access the rear of the drawer. Ive had luck buying 10 packs on ebay quite cheaply. Hafele make excellent ones that are very well priced.

  11. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by woodPixel View Post
    FenceFurniture, I rather like those runners. I make kids bedside cabinets that use a single version of this and they work well, the double is worth giving a test of
    It's not a double, it's two very shallow tool drawers (you can see a dark line separating them). They have to be hardwood in my case because of the weight - the screws drawer is about 15kgs all up, at a guess.
    Pilot hole size for screws-screw-draw-ianw-jpg
    Regards, FenceFurniture

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  12. #11
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    FF, you're ALL OUT of #37 10g zinc!

    Nice job there dude, very nice job. So orderly ... much better than my milk crates

  13. #12
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    ....and 25 6g too
    The person who never made a mistake never made anything

    Cheers
    Ray

  14. #13
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    Sixty one boxes! I'll bet they're all dovetailed too

    And my wife gives me heaps because I have a few glass jars screwed to the underside of some shelves... Wait till I show her this!!

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