When it comes to office storage, plastic drawers can be a great option. They come in a range of widths and depths, but sometimes they can be a bit flimsy. Over time, with the weight of their contents, they can warp. This can make a good set of plastic drawers next to useless. Either the base starts to bow or the sides become flimsy and fall out of the cabinet runners. So, what can you do about it? Well, let’s look at a few ways to make plastic drawers sturdier.
Bases
If the base of your plastic drawer is sagging then you have a couple of options. Firstly, you can place a piece of board under the drawer and use strong tape, or contact paper, to attach it firmly to the sides of the plastic drawer. Another option is to attach steel brackets under the sagging section, attaching it to the sides holds the deformed base firm. The best way to prevent sagging drawers is to consider what you are putting in them in the first place. Softer plastics won’t be able to hold weight for long. Placing heavy items in the bottom drawer may help, but for heavy items ensure the plastic drawers are made from a hard plastic.
Warped runner slides
Some plastic drawers are made with a lip that slides into runners at the side of the cabinet. After time, these lips, or slides, can get bent inwards towards the drawer due to too much weight. The best way to bend the sides out, so the lip once again slides evenly through the cabinet runners, is to add a central support across the top, in the centre of the plastic drawer, from side to side. Make sure that wherever you attach this central strut, that it isn’t interfering with the runners. Again, a critical factor of preventing warping and sagging plastic drawers is to consider the material they are made from and what you want to store in them.
Purchasing
As we have already stated, the type of plastic the drawers are made of will determine the amount of weight you can put in them before they begin to distort. So, before you purchase any plastic drawers make sure you understand what their purpose is. If you are only storing pencils, paper, stapler, and other small lightweight stationary equipment then the plastic drawers can be of a more lightweight material themselves. However, if you plan on storage heavy tools you will need plastic drawers that are more robust. You can speak to the experts at RS for advice on plastic drawers.
The plastic drawer is a perfect option for storing stuff away or for keeping your things neat and easy to find, but if they are used incorrectly they can warp and sag. You can reinforce the base and side with boards or brackets, but the best way to have sturdy plastic drawers is to buy the right ones for the job. For more information, contact RS.
