Drawer slides on Sears tool chest

[thrt15nc]

This is a Sears tool chest and drawer set combo that's at least 25 years old. Does anyone have any idea as to how to remove the drawers? The slides don't move all that well and I'd like to get in and clean them up and maybe lube them some. I'v e looked all around them, felt all around, can't find a release tab, etc. Can anyone help?

Thanks,
Tom

[DaveO]

In your bottom picture, if you pull the drawer all the way out you should be able to push in on the drawer side through that oval hole show in the bottom picture. There should be something that contacts the triangle shaped indention to the left of the oval hole and that has to be compressed to allow the drawer to slip past that point.
HTH, Dave

[scott hamm]

theres a metal spring behind the track.
don't pull the drawer to a full stop and push in with a screwdriver and pull outward on the drawer , then do the other side.
these are even used on some of the newer toolbox's as well.

[thrt15nc]

Scott I can't see a spring of anykind on them. I can see all the way back along the drawer side and can't see one.

Dave I looked and can see what you're saying. However, the triangle shaped indentation clips are pressed into the steel of the slide. The corresponding piece on the drawer is steel pressed out. There's no spring or give to them at all that I can see.

Thanks,
Tom

[KC7CN]

I have one of those old Craftsman tool boxes! Looks similar to yours, but the drawer slide is different. Mine have a small black retaining clip, that prevents the drawer from coming out. I lost the clips for two drawers during a move. Had a heck of a time finding replacement parts. A clerk at Sears told me the model number is located in the top, or next-to-top drawer; right side. It doesn't even look like a model number; mine was just 3 digits. Customer service found the clips with this number.

Sorry to be so long winded, but wanted to share this information; the drawers are useless when they are always falling out.


-Don

[GregSmith]

The piece on the drawer that hits the triangle part on the guide is what you need to push in. I don't think it is designed to be taken in and out, so you'll have to actually bend it to get it out - push harder! After it's out, you can bend it back so it'll catch when you put it back together.

I took all my drawers out when I painted an old one I got from where I work. Kind of a pain, but it worked -and nothing broke.

[thrt15nc]

Thanks everyone. I'll try a little more force with it. I didn't want to do that if someone knew a simpler way.

Thanks again,
Tom

[sapwood]

Originally Posted by thrt15nc

Thanks everyone. I'll try a little more force with it. I didn't want to do that if someone knew a simpler way.

Thanks again,
Tom

Go for it Tom! I have a couple of similar chests and it took me a while to figure it out too. But once you do it, it's easy

Roger

[Bryan S]

My toolbox at work has the same drawer slides. It takes a little force to push the catches in but they will come out. I have to do this every few months, my toolbox sets next to the grinder and drillpress. After they're clean give them a good waxing with a car wax and maybe some silicon spray lube. Dont forget the part inside the box.

[sapwood]

BTW, when you bend the tabs in they may not catch after you replace the slides. Use a screw driver to bend them back if needed.

HTH,
Roger

[thrt15nc]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to try to find time this weekend to work on these. I'll be gentle in my swing at first.............but I do have a 5# hand sledge on deck...

Tom

[DaveO]

If you can't fix it with Duct tape and a hammer...get a bigger hammer


Dave