Thread: Kitchen Drawers Roller Runners Retrofit

I had good experiences with Wilson & Bradley before they closed their Hobart store. Haven't tried their website.
Catalog

Blum runners are aslo available from Lincoln Sentry in Sunderland St, Moonah so you can see before you buy.

Eight years ago I built an 18 drawer unit for my shed and trialled almost every type of drawer runners that I could find. The outstanding products were Blum and Hettich. Hettich are sold by Specialty Joinery Supplies in North Hobart - similar prices to Blum.

The worst crap was the powdercoated junk sold by BigChains.

The best value for money were the unbranded shiny silver chinese made soft close slides sold by both Hettich and Blum agents - then around $15 pair.

After eight years, I have not changed my mind.

Hi Graeme,

Thanks for the information, particularly the Hobart suppliers.
I never think of Speciality Joinery Supplies in North Hobart, except when I want to drool over some Festool gear or Lada woodwork machinery!

Much appreciated Yvan

Originally Posted by yvan

...
I never think of Speciality Joinery Supplies in North Hobart, except when I want to drool over some Festool gear ....

Resistance is futile !

Originally Posted by yvan

After 20 years or more of good service, the bottom-fitted sliders of some of our kitchen drawers sometimes jump out (?) of their tracks when being pulled. I am sure that the weight of the stores is the cause and want to retrofit Blum roller runners with a 25-30kg "carrying capacity".

The dimensions of the heaviest drawers are W=600mm - H=350mm - D=580mm.

• Is it just a matter of selecting runners of the correct length and swap or do I have to be aware of other potential snags to this elaborate plan ?!?!
• Can someone suggest a reliable online supplier of Blum rollers/sliders?

Thanks for the suggestions Yvan

Yvan
warning Will Robertson
check very very carefully before you change the runners from what you have to Blum models. The clearance between the carcass and drawer is critical to the Blum runners fitting. The tolerance can be a tight as +/- 1 mm between the new Blum runners fitting and you've got to build a new drawer to fit the carcass.

Also, the typical kitchen is planned to be obsolete after about 20 to 25 years.

Originally Posted by ian

......
Also, the typical kitchen is planned to be obsolete after about 20 to 25 years.

Hell, are you that old, Ian?

I think that you will find that the planned obsolescence cycle is now 10-15 years.

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

Hell, are you that old, Ian?

I think that you will find that the planned obsolescence cycle is now 10-15 years.

Well the one installed in the house I used to own was installed in 1998 and "renovated" ("completely gutted" would be a much better description) in 2019.
So it lasted just on 21 years.

It will be interesting to track the performance of the replacement kitchen.

Originally Posted by ian

Well the one installed in the house I used to own was installed in 1998 and "renovated" ("completely gutted" would be a much better description) in 2019.
So it lasted just on 21 years.

It will be interesting to track the performance of the replacement kitchen.

Point made; that was last century's model !

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

Point made; that was last century's model !

You mean last millennium, surely?