I picked up this old desk with drawers on the side of the road (OK, I admit it I am a garbage picker!). The desk is in pretty good shape but I have a question about the drawer slides. The slides are metal in the center of the underside of each drawer and run the length of each drawer. There is a wooden mating piece underneath each drawer (attached to the carcase) that fits into each metal slide. The thing is, the metal slides are rusted so I’m wondering what to do to make these drawers smooth sliding? Do I treat the metal with like a silicon spray or WD40 but I’m wondering how that will affect the wood it mates to? Or should I wax the wood but I’m wondering how that will affect the metal slides? Any help would be appreciated.
Regards,
Buzzsaw
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Gil Bailie
Replies
I bought a garage-sale dresser with center slides with similar problems. I ended up buying new slides after spending too much time messing around trying to repair those that were on there.
The thing is I probably can't find these exact slides and, to be honest, they are in pretty good shape, just a little rusty. And the mating wooden pieces are also in good shape. I guess I'll just try to remove as much rust as I can and see how they work afterwards. thanks for your post.Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
As an experienced restorer of garbage picked items, I'd recommend removing as much rust as you can. A green abrasive pad works wonders. Then waxing or soaping the mating surfaces. You should be in good shape for as long as you use the desk.
Thanks DaddyMan. Don't you just love the garbage-picked items? Like turning a frog into a prince...:-)Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Center draw-slides are cheaper than others for a reason; they don't work as well as double slides. Probably the reason you found it in the trash.
But hey, one man's trash......
They really don't work that badly but just wanted to get them to slide a little more fluid. Just didn't know whether to treat the metal, wood, or both?Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
sounds like the metal should be de-rusted and greased.
Try using electrolysis. I use this method to derust old handsaws and it works great. There are plenty of online directions for this process.
As long as the metal parts aren't bent or rusted thru, you should be able to remove them, clean them up, spritz them with some WD-40 or a silicone lubricant, and put them back.
I use old candles to lubricate wooden drawer slides - or the wooden parts of the slides and it works great. I "touch up" my kitchen drawers every couple of years and they're as smooth as glass.
Trying to replace old cabinet hardware can be pretty iffy. Lots of that old hardware is no longer available and it can be a real challenge to get new hardware to fit and work right.
I understand that wax is fine for the wooden mating piece but I was a little concerned that possibly wax on metal is not a good idea. Thanks for your post.Regards,
Buzzsaw
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
I doubt if wax would hurt the metal, but I would still use WD-40. When I do that, I give the metal a good spritz, then wipe off the excess with a paper towel.
Wax on metal is just fine. Many of us use paste wax to keep our machine tables from rusting.My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
(OK, I admit it I am a garbage picker!)
As 'they' say.. One mans Treasure is another mans Garbage..
I do that! ALOT!
EDIT: WD40 ! O'Geee I use that too! but..
My first thought is.. Are the slides of a reasonable quality?
If so squirt some oil on them and let them soak 'a bit'.. Clean off with mineral spirits or whatever.. If they 'look' Ok after.. Use them.. If not.. a pair of GOOD slides do not cost that much.. Well, at least not as much as the whole thing..
I'd make a dovetail wood slide BUT I love using my router table!
Edited 4/6/2006 11:13 am by WillGeorge
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