Dresser Questions

[ssmith1627]

Hey guys.

My first and only real furniture project was a bed for my toddler.

Now I'm working on the associated dresser now from Wood magazine but I've modified things a bit. I felt like the metal drawer slides were too clunky for something like this. I cut dados into the sides of the case and built three dust frames from scrap plywood, basically following what I'd seen Norm do with a 4 drawer chest on the show recently. I'm gonna make the drawer faces overlay the dust frames because I like the look they intended in the Wood mag plans. But this gets me away from the drawer slides.

http://ssmith1627.myphotoalbum.com/v...4&id=016_G_001

I saw mention of using nylon tape on the bottom edges of the drawer sides to reduce friction and wear. Has anyone gone that route ? Good results ?

The dust frame above will keep the drawers from tilting as it's pulled out. But what about a toddler pulling the thing out too far ? I had in mind a small block of wood on the back of each drawer that could be rotated up once the drawer was installed. That would catch on the dust frame above possibly. Really, to make them more accessible, they could be mounted on the drawer sides near the back. Any thoughts there ?

Thanks as always for the feedback.

Steve

[steve-norrell]

I just finished a library table and end table for our bedroom. I used nylon tape for the drawer slides and drawer stops to keep the drawer from pulling out. Both work quite well in my applications. The drawer stop is at http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...Drawer%20stops and any UHMW tape would work. Rockler also sells 3/4 and 1/2 tape.

Regards, Steve

[LCHIEN]

you might want to make provision to secure the dresser to the wall with a short tether or strap so a climbing toddler won't pull it over on himself. Think Safe! be Safe!

[crokett]

Loring has a good suggestion. My nephew pulled his dresser over last year.

[ssmith1627]

Yow. Good suggestions guys. Thanks very much. I'll find an easy way to attach it to a stud or two. That should be no problem.

Steve

[LCHIEN]

Yow. Good suggestions guys. Thanks very much. I'll find an easy way to attach it to a stud or two. That should be no problem.

Steve

Should be OK tied to a stud with a short length of 1" or 2" nylon strap. If you catch it before it tips way over the force vector shouldn't be too great, just the weight of the kid standing on a few open drawers.

[JR]

Around here you can find a velcro/nylon strap assembly meant for eartuquake readiness. You attach one end to a stud, one end to the dresser, then velcro them together.

Separating the velcro allows you to move the furniture.

JR

[atgcpaul]

I saw mention of using nylon tape on the bottom edges of the drawer sides to reduce friction and wear. Has anyone gone that route ? Good results ?

The dust frame above will keep the drawers from tilting as it's pulled out. But what about a toddler pulling the thing out too far ? I had in mind a small block of wood on the back of each drawer that could be rotated up once the drawer was installed. That would catch on the dust frame above possibly. Really, to make them more accessible, they could be mounted on the drawer sides near the back. Any thoughts there ?

Thanks as always for the feedback.

Steve

I've used the UHMW/nylon tape for drawers and it works great!

On the same project, I attached a turnbutton, as you describe, to the dust
frame. When its rotated down, the drawer can't pull out the whole way. I
suppose you could put in on the drawer, too, but there's a slight chance that
the drawer-mounted button could swing downwards and not be effective.

[ssmith1627]

That's why I love this board. You guys just help to hash these things out. Much appreciated.

The velcro is a great idea. You can attach the two parts separately and easily hide the connection from view. I like that.

I also like the idea of attaching the stop to the dust frame. That way it's hanging down and as mentioned above, won't be apt to flip out of the way as it might if mounted on the drawer. Makes a lot of sense.

Thanks guys.

Steve

[JimD]

I use maple for the dust frame sides and wax it but use no plastic tape. Moves smooth enough for us.

Jim