ᐅ Malm drawers are coming loose from the frame – how can I reattach them?
Created on: 15 Dec 2021 08:17
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PATROKLO69
Hello everyone,
I have an issue with my Malm dressers from IKEA: the drawers are increasingly coming loose from the frame, causing them to wobble or in some cases not latch properly at all. The area most affected is the side connection between the drawer box and the front panel. Since I want to keep using the drawers and don’t want to buy replacement furniture right away, I would like to know the best way to securely and permanently fix these drawers again. Are there recommended methods, screws, or special adhesives, or should I consider completely rebuilding the drawers?
I would really appreciate any tips, instructions, or personal experiences with Malm drawers!
I have an issue with my Malm dressers from IKEA: the drawers are increasingly coming loose from the frame, causing them to wobble or in some cases not latch properly at all. The area most affected is the side connection between the drawer box and the front panel. Since I want to keep using the drawers and don’t want to buy replacement furniture right away, I would like to know the best way to securely and permanently fix these drawers again. Are there recommended methods, screws, or special adhesives, or should I consider completely rebuilding the drawers?
I would really appreciate any tips, instructions, or personal experiences with Malm drawers!
The problem of worn-out holes in particle board furniture is well known. The best solution is to fill existing screw holes with wooden dowels (Ø 8–10 mm (0.3–0.4 inches)): Remove old screws and dowels, slightly refresh the holes, apply fresh wood glue, and glue in new wooden rods. Once fully dry, you can reassemble the drawer. Also, be careful not to apply too much force on the cam locks to avoid further damage.
lorukeo schrieb:
The best way is to fill existing screw holes with wooden dowels (Ø 8–10 mm (0.3–0.4 inches))That's exactly what I did! And now it holds much better. It's also important to insert the dowels straight and allow the glue to dry thoroughly. Glad to hear you're making progress! 🙂
I would like to add one more comment: If you don’t have suitable wooden strips or dowels, pressing self-adhesive felt pads onto the back panel works well to reduce pressure marks. For mounting the front, a slight adjustment is recommended. Is it possible for you to use corner brackets as well? Even small screws in addition to cam locks help prevent wobbling.
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PATROKLO6916 Dec 2021 08:21Domau0 schrieb:
Do you have the option to install internal corners as well?Thank you! Could you please explain in more detail how internal corners are ideally attached to the Malm drawers? Are there preferred positions, materials, or screw sizes? I ask because I hadn’t considered this before and am uncertain about the load-bearing capacity.
Inside corners made of nickel-plated steel or galvanized metal, approximately 25x25 mm (1x1 inch) in size, are ideal. They should be attached at the inner corners to connect the drawer sides with the front panel. Screws with a diameter of 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 inches) and a length of about 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 inches) are sufficient to ensure a secure hold without damaging the thin material. It is important to pre-drill with a thin drill bit to prevent splitting of the particle board.
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