How To Remove Desk Drawer Glides

You'd be surprised how complex the answer to a simple question like, 'how do I remove desk drawers?' is. However, with multiple types of drawers existing in desks, it's essential to follow the steps meant for your particular drawer type. Some require other methods or tools.

Desk Drawer

Never fear. We're going to break down the ways to remove drawers for all the different types.

Metal Glides with Lever

Metal gliders, above all, are the most common drawer slide found in furniture. The process for removing this type of drawer is as follows;

Step One : You're going to want to start with the top drawer. Never start from the bottom up. Start from the top. The last thing you need is for the desk to become top-heavy.
Step Two : Approach the top drawer, take the drawer, and slide it out as far as the desk allows. Let the drawer stop at its natural stopping point.
Step Three : Have a look around and find the track levers. The track levers you'll usually find in the center of each drawer track. Depending on the desk, they could be straight or curved tracks. Usually, they are straight tracks unless it's a three-quarter slide which is more commonly curved.
Step Four :Take both hands and, at the same time, press down on the opposite levers. In the event it's a curved track, push down until it's flattened out.
Step Five : Hold the levers down. Pull the drawer towards your body while angling up and lifting out.

Once all is said and done, the tracks will most probably be sticking out, and you'll just need to shove them back in with a straight, parallel motion.dd

Wood Glides

Older furniture usually features wood glides, especially in the case of dressers and armoires. Although not known for being the smoothest opening drawers in the game, wood glides are still reasonably easy to remove drawers from.

Step One: Take that top draw, keeping in mind that you start with the first drawer at the top.
Step Two: Stand in front of the drawer and pull it out as far as it allows.
Step Three: With both hands, use force and tug at the drawer. Keep tugging and jiggling. Eventually, you will be able to use enough power to pull the drawer right out of the desk.

Wood-glide furniture with two-side track makeup is somewhat more complicated. It will require more vigor and extended tugging, but it will also be able to come out with time.

This video will give you some insight into to How to Remove Drawers with Wood Glides

Anti-Tip Mechanisms

Anti-tip mechanisms primarily exist in low-end furniture. They're extremely common and feature cables attached to ensure no two drawers open at the same time.

Anti-tip mechanisms exist to aid in the concept of avoiding a top-heavy situation in cheaper furniture where this can be an issue. They ensure that the weight the desk, or piece of furniture, can't handle holding out isn't compounded by an additional drawer's weight.

Soft-Close Drawers

Soft-closer drawers are drawers that use guides that prevent slamming. They are primarily found in high-end furniture. The guide prevents damage from accidentally closing too quickly or harshly by gently sliding slowly over the final few inches of the guide.

Step One: Empty out any contents of the drawer.
Step Two: Pull the drawer open as far as it will allow. Make sure the guides are fully extended.
Step Three: Check the guides and see if there's a clip or a locking lever. Once you've found the clip, remove it. In the event it's a locking lever, push it as you're pulling the drawer out.
Step Four: Pull the draw slowly out, lifting it as you pull, and allow it to slide entirely off the rails.

Stabilizer Screws

Stabilizers screws sometimes appear in furniture, but it isn't extremely common. The existence of stabilizer screws does make things more complicated, but once again, not impossible.

Step One: Start with your top drawer. If drawers are using stabilizer screws, it's likely because the drawer is holding a weighted item. This makes step one even more critical to follow, so don't go rogue and do drawer three.
Step Two: Take the drawer by the handle and pull it out as far as it will allow. Be careful of the metal tracks if you're grabbing them from the sides.
Step Three: In the body of the drawer, you'll find the stabilizer screws. The two stabilizer screws use the proper screwdriver, one capable of handling #8 stabilizer screws.
Step Four: Locate the catch tabs. They will be on both sides. Release the catch, and pull upwards on both catch-tab mechanisms. This releases the drawer from the side tracks.
Step Five: Pull the drawer out once it's released. As you begin removing it, keep it straight. Then, slowly start inclining it and lift it out. Remember that because there are stabilizer screws, what's in the draw might be heavy so prepare for the weight you're about to carry.

Now you can shove the tracks back in and get back to working on the desk. Once again, use a straight, parallel motion and push the center stabilizer in as well as the side suspension tracks.

Remove Drawers With Full Extension Slide

Full extension slides are more common with longer, wider drawers. They're usually present on the bottom or side of the drawer.

Step One: In order to reveal its full length, take the drawer apart.
Step Two: Locate the button, lever, or latch, and press it to release the full extension slide.
Step Three: Three: Lift the drawer and locate the latch on the slide. The side slides are easy to find if you look at the slides
Step Four: Remove safety tabs and tilt the drawer preferably at an angle and begin gently pulling until you hear a click.

In Case: If it gets stuck, just wiggle it free.

FAQ

Is there a way to put the draws back?

If you have ball-bearing gliders, then your drawers should have levers. All you need to do is line the draw up to the levers and once you hear a click, slowly slide them back in. If you're facing resistance, they may not be locked in and have fallen off, so be mindful to check to make sure.

What if my draws go ¾ of the way before stopping?

Ball-bearing gliders, if properly installed, shouldn't face a problem like this. There are a few possibilities as to why this is happening;

The ball-bearings aren't the correct size.
The ball-bearings are incorrectly installed.
The ball-bearings levers have worn out.

Just take a flathead screwdriver and pry the draw out and replace the ball-bearings to solve the problem once and for all.

Are there plastic gliders that I can buy which attach to the drawer?

Yes. If you look online or at a local hardware store, you'll be able to find plastic gliders without issue. In addition, they're usually relatively cheap, which is even better.

How can I remove a draw that has a bottom track and block on it?

In the event your draw has a bottom track with a block on it, use a small knife to pry it out. Take the draw out as far as it can go and slide the blade underneath before prying. Be careful in the process not to cause any unnecessary damage.

Removing drawers doesn't have to be a complicated task. Follow the guidance, and you'll find that it's far easier than you might think. Take the necessary means to make it a safe process, and ensure you have the right tools for the job. As long as you follow the methods available, you can do it.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes. Comment below your experience removing your drawer. Don't forget to share this with a friend who might be in the same situation.