Here’s how to fix and keep drawers sliding smoothly
Do you have problems with your drawers? Of course, we’re talking about the ones you keep kitchen utensils and clothes in. Drawers may have appeared not to change much through the years, but inside, the mechanics have. Here are suggestions and tips to keep your drawers operating smoothly, and how to fix them if they are not.
The first drawers ran on wooden rails. There usually would be a slot on the drawer, along the bottom or sides, and a rail on the dresser itself. You can rub wax, a candle or a bar of soap on the wooden pieces to lubricate them. Over time, these wooden rails can wear down or split. They still make wooden replacements that are available at online sites, or you can fashion your own.
Metal parts started taking over this role later on, and there are a plethora of designs for keeping drawers moving smoothly. These are much easier to work with, and are fairly easy to install. If you are replacing a damaged part, you can remove the damaged piece and take it with you to the hardware store to buy a suitable replacement.
If you need new drawer glides, you will need to know a couple of things: how deep the drawer is from the front to the inside back of the cabinet, and how much weight you expect to support.
You will have the option of a center slide or side rails. You’ll probably need to get out your level, a square, a pencil and a few shims. Follow the package directions, making sure your measurements and marks are accurate. You might consider replacing the included screws with better versions. Pre-drilling for the screws will help you get them in easily and without damaging the wood.
Upgrades are available, and include self-closing drawers.
Do your homework and set aside some time, and you can take care of just about anything around your home.
Q: We want to install a hand rail on our front steps. I’m not sure how this is done, but I want to try to do it myself. Can you give me more information? — E.L.
A: Look around and talk to companies that supply metal fence parts for your railings. Most are easy to install with masonry anchors and epoxy. You’ll need a good drill with a masonry bit. Anchor it to the steps and to your structure if you can. Another interesting source for decorative railings might be a salvage yard. You might find a real treasure if you hunt for it. Nifty wind chimes
Spring is just around the corner, thankfully. How would you like to make a nifty set of wind chimes for your patio or garden? Wind chimes add a touch of music to your deck or patio. We have plans for an easy-to-put-together set of wind chimes made from electrical conduit (pipe), which is easy to cut and not very expensive. The other parts are available at your favorite hardware place — or, you may have them left over from another project in your workshop. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope, along with $1 ($2 in Canada), to The Super Handyman in care of the Houston Chronicle, P.O. Box 4260, Houston, TX 77210. Please allow six to eight weeks for delivery. If you are looking for tips and answers to your home-repair questions, visit www. thesuperhandyman.com. We love to hear from our readers, and welcome your ideas. Long-bar clamp busy?
In repairing a drawer front recently, we needed to hold the glue job with a long-bar clamp. Unfortunately, it was busy serving on another project. We grabbed two small-bar clamps and used them together for clamping the length of the drawer. One goes on the drawer front, stretching toward the back, and the other goes over the back of the drawer and onto the other clamp. You can tighten them, one at a time, until you are happy with the tension. There are going to be other times when this trick can be used, so tuck it in your mind for later if you don’t need it now.
Dear Carrells: I try to use paint trayliners more than once, if I can. They can be hard to clean unless you get on them as soon as you get finished painting. If I can’t find a clean one around when I need one, I will use aluminum foil. You can line the paint tray with this, and when you are finished painting, you can clean it off and let it dry. Then you can flip it over and use it again for your next paint project. — L.D.
Dear Al: We did some landscaping and it was worth every bump, bruise and backache. The yard looks great. I discovered I had to pick up my mower to get it in and out of the backyard. I added a handle to the front of the mower. It’s a gate handle mounted with screws, but it allows me to lift the mower without having to stick my fingers under the front end, which usually is caked with fresh-cut grass. — D.S.
Q: We have a sunroom that currently is full of plants. Once it gets nice outside again, I want to paint the floor, which is plain concrete. What kind of prep is needed before I do this, and how can I make it look nice? — H.T.
A: Use TSP to clean the floor thoroughly. After it is completely dry, use epoxy paint. Some will require an acid etch, so read and follow the package directions. This paint will last much longer than any other paint. There are some nice-looking exterior rugs these days too. You can hose them off if they get dirty.
A Super HandyMom tip — One of my good friends has a great way to clean her convertible. She leaves the top down, so it collects leaves. She uses her leaf blower to clean it out. I thought she was crazy, until I found myself in the same situation with my car last weekend. It worked great. The vacuum never would have been able to suck up the leaves. Go fish for wire with ruler
Adding a new outlet can make your life easier in many cases, but fishing the wire through the wall can be a challenge. Have you ever tried using a retractable tape ruler instead of a fish wire? In some circumstances, it’s the only way to go. If you can maneuver it into the hole and stretch it out, it will remain rigid to allow you to find it at the other end of the run. With the new wire tied to it, you can retract it and get the rest of the job finished much quicker.
Dear Carrells: I saw a jewelry organizer at the discount store the other day that was a small piece of pegboard, painted white, along with assorted hooks and a shelf for $40. It’s a great idea, but I could put it together for a whole lot less. I had a scrap of pegboard I spray painted and hung up in our closet for my wife. I bought an assortment pack of hooks and installed a small shelf at the bottom of it. She loves it and said it’s super handy for her to use every day. — M.N.
A super hint — When moving some items, wrap them in wide plastic wrap, which wraps onto itself and sticks. You can use kitchen wrap, but the stuff you buy at the home center is a lot cheaper because it’s not food-grade. It prevents a lot of scratches and dings, and keeps doors and drawers from swinging open.
Dear Al: Before we moved, I wanted to touch up the paint in the house but didn’t want to have to paint the entire room, just to get the paint to match. I found out many large paint stores keep a record of what paint colors certain builders use. If you know the builder and the year your home was built, they usually will give you a matching paint. I was amazed at how easy this worked and wanted to share it with you and your readers. — N.S.
Got a question or a handy tip? Send it to The Super Handyman in care of the Houston Chronicle, or visit www.thesuperhandyman.com. Those of general interest will be used in future columns.