How to make under-stair drawer

pledgeX

I'm planning to build a drawer into the bottom step of my stairs, similar to this:


The problem I have is that I want the drawer to be quite deep, and most drawer rails you can buy only go up to 450mm. I'm hoping for nearer twice that depth.

The easiest solution would be to just fit some wheels to the underside of the drawer, but as height is limited to keep it under the step, even a small set of caster wheels would reduce the space available in the cupboard by quite a bit.

What I need is a load of ball bearings that somehow stay in place, preferably rubber ones that won't scratch the floor!

It's only going to have shoes in it, so it won't be particularly heavy.

Any ideas?

Fat_Walt

Inset the castors into the drawer so you'll only lose a small section in each corner.

Summer_Dreams

They look amazing! Are they easy to do?

googler

Are you certain there's no framework in the place where you want the drawer to run?

leveller2911

You can get double extending drawer runners up to 700mm which can be side fixing or we have used them on projects for bottom/base fixing.

http://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/products/cabinet_furniture_and_hardware/runners_and_cabinet_systems/88902/motion_455mm_ball_race_drawer_runner_double_extension_/955400

and also soft closer option :

http://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/products/cabinet_furniture_and_hardware/runners_and_cabinet_systems/18968/motion_455mm_ball_race_drawer_runner_soft_close_double_extension/427778

If you scroll down on the page there are drawings/specification for the runners.

Fat Walts idea would also work but it may mark the floor over time.

pledgeX

Summer_Dreams wrote: »

They look amazing! Are they easy to do?

No idea, I'll let you know when I'm done!!

googler wrote: »

Are you certain there's no framework in the place where you want the drawer to run?

Yep, the staircase is open at the minute but I will be boxing it in, so I can see everything under there.

leveller2911 wrote: »

You can get double extending drawer runners up to 700mm which can be side fixing or we have used them on projects for bottom/base fixing.

http://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/products/cabinet_furniture_and_hardware/runners_and_cabinet_systems/88902/motion_455mm_ball_race_drawer_runner_double_extension_/955400

and also soft closer option :

http://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/products/cabinet_furniture_and_hardware/runners_and_cabinet_systems/18968/motion_455mm_ball_race_drawer_runner_soft_close_double_extension/427778

If you scroll down on the page there are drawings/specification for the runners.

Fat Walts idea would also work but it may mark the floor over time.

That's awesome, thank you very much.

leveller2911

pledgeX wrote: »

That's awesome, thank you very much.

One thing to remember when using these is the width of the drawer opening needs to be exactly the same at the front and at the back. If the front of the opening is 2mm wider or narrower than the back the drawer won't slide nicely .

pledgeX

Thanks for the feedback all. Just a rather delayed update to say that I managed to do it

Got some runners like leveller2911 suggested and just made the draws out of some MDF I had left over from some other projects, and some brackets that I also had laying around. I'm sure that anyone with a modicum of carpentry skills would have a chuckle at the amateur skills on display, but I'm quite pleased with the results. Obviously it's not quite finished as they need to be painted and carpeted, but just thought I'd update if anyone else had similar ideas.

leveller2911

Good job Pledge.............. Its good to make stuff and save money ..