Q: Can I find full extension drawer slides for ALEX?

How to extend the ALEX drawers fully?

I have an ALEX Drawer unit on casters, and I really like it. It fits perfectly where I have it and the casters make it perfect as an extra table top when I need it. 

ALEX drawers on casters | IKEA.com

However, I hate that the drawers don’t extend all the way out. 

I have been looking online and it does not seem that there is anyone who has added different full extension drawer slides to the ALEX. Or that anyone makes them to fit an IKEA drawer? 

Any suggestions?

~ Scott

***

Hi Scott

I know how annoying that hard-to-access drawer space can be.

And I found a video where Candice made an adjustment to the ALEX drawer slides to allow the drawers to extend further. There is still a bit of hidden space, but so much less. And it’s a cost-effective solution as you’ll be using the original slides.

Options for ALEX drawer full extension slides

Here’s what she did:

First, remove the ALEX drawer slides from the cabinet sides.

Then, pry the metal stoppers at the end of the slides slightly open to allow the first set of ball-bearings to slide out.

Related: Sewing table with sliding tray for sewing machine

Next, snip the black plastic stopper to a shorter length. This keeps the second set of ball-bearing in place. After that, bend the end stoppers back into position.

Lastly, reattach the hacked drawer slides to the sides of the ALEX cabinet. Please note, the drawer may be less stable and may not be able to bear as much weight.

See the video below for the instructions.

The next option would be to replace the ALEX drawer slides with full extension drawer slides completely. As you found out, searching for one in the right size to fit the channel along the drawer would be the hardest challenge.

So perhaps you can try attaching the slides along the bottom of the drawer instead?

I found this video helpful in explaining how to install full-extension drawer slides.

Do come back here and let us know which full extension drawer slides you finally chose. Or how you solved the non-fully extended drawer issue.

I’m sure lots of other readers would be interested to know as well.

Happy hacking,

Jules

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