Assembling the GABRIEL Chest of Drawers — Assembly Guide

The professional assembly of a chest of drawers requires systematic sorting of components, the use of suitable hand tools, and mandatory anchoring to the wall to protect against tipping over.

The GABRIEL series features a clean design and a modular structure. Regardless of whether you are assembling a slim variant for the hallway that is only 30 cm deep, or building a wider 100 cm model for the living area — the basic structural principles remain identical. The furniture units are made of melamine-coated chipboard and utilise standardised connecting fittings.

This guide leads you systematically through the assembly process. It applies to various versions of the series, whether it is a Black Chest of Drawers with a matt finish, a classic White Chest of Drawers, or a Wooden Chest of Drawers with a textured woodgrain.

Scope of Delivery and Preparation

Assembling a chest of drawers is like a mechanical jigsaw puzzle — sorting the parts beforehand by shape and function means the picture is already half put together. Open the cardboard boxes flat on the floor. Use the cardboard as an underlay to prevent scratches on decorative flooring or on the furniture panels.

The scope of delivery typically includes:

• Carcase (side panels, base panel, top panel, cross braces)
• Back panel (usually a thin HDF board, often folding)
• Drawer components (fronts, sides, backs, bases)
• Fittings bag (screws, wooden dowels, cam lock fasteners, nails)
• Drawer runners (depending on the model, roller runners or ball-bearing slides)
• Handles and furniture feet

Using the enclosed parts list, check that all individual parts and fittings are complete. Sort the screws by length and diameter.

Required Tools

For swift assembly that protects the materials, you will need the following hand tools:

• Cross-head screwdriver: Ensure the correct profile. Furniture fittings frequently use PZ (Pozidriv) in size 2. The wrong blade (such as PH) will damage the screw head.
• Rubber mallet: For gently tapping in the wooden dowels. A standard steel hammer will damage the edges.
• Tape measure or folding rule: For checking the diagonals.
• Spirit level: For the final alignment of the unit.
• Cordless screwdriver: Only recommended for driving long chipboard screws at low torque. Fittings such as cam lock fasteners should always be tightened by hand.
• Drill and masonry bit: For the strictly mandatory wall fixing.

Step-by-Step Assembly Instructions

Assembly time depends on the size of the model. For a compact 4 Drawer Chest of Drawers, you should allow around 1.5 hours. For a large 8 Drawer Chest of Drawers or versions that are 200 cm wide, expect 2 to 3 hours.

Step 1: Preparing the Side Panels

Start with the two large side panels. Lay them flat on the floor. Tap the wooden dowels (usually 8 mm diameter) into the designated end-grain holes of the cross shelves. If required, add a small drop of wood glue into the drill hole to enhance stability. Then screw the connecting bolts of the cam lock fasteners into the pre-drilled holes in the side panels. Tighten them only until the thread disappears into the wood — do not overtighten.

Step 2: Installing Drawer Runners

It is significantly easier to fix the drawer runners to the side panels while they are still lying flat on the floor. The GABRIEL series frequently uses ball-bearing slides, which may be configured as single-extension or full-extension runners. Pay close attention to the instructions to see which hole pattern on the slide must be used. Fasten the runners using the enclosed short Euro screws (usually 5 mm diameter) or special system screws. The rollers or ball cage must face towards the front edge of the furniture.

Step 3: Assembling the Carcase

Now connect the base panel and any cross rails to the first side panel. Bring the components together so that the connecting bolts engage with the holes housing the round cam locks. Turn the cam lock fasteners with a screwdriver roughly 180° clockwise until they firmly lock into place. Next, position the second side panel and lock the connections there as well. Finally, fit the top panel and secure it in place.

Step 4: Securing the Back Panel (Squaring the Carcase)

This step is crucial for stability and the smooth operation of the drawers later on. Lay the carcase face down on the floor. Place the back panel on top. Before nailing or screwing it down, you must ensure the carcase is perfectly square. Measure both diagonals with the tape measure (from top-left corner to bottom-right corner, and vice versa). The carcase is perfectly square when both measurements match to the millimetre. Once aligned, fix the back panel around the edges using the supplied nails at intervals of about 10 cm to 15 cm.

Step 5: Assembling the Drawers

Assembling the drawers follows a similar principle to the carcase. Connect the drawer sides to the drawer back panel. Slide the thin drawer base into the grooved slot in the sides. Fit the front panel and lock it using the cam fittings. If your Grey Chest of Drawers features handles, screw them on now from the inside of the front panel.

Step 6: Levelling and Drawer Insertion

Position the chest of drawers in its final location. Especially when used as a Bedroom Chest of Drawers on carpet or uneven flooring, it must be aligned with a spirit level. If necessary, use height-adjustable furniture feet or insert small wedges underneath. Finally, insert the drawers into the runners. With ball-bearing slides, the runners often need to be threaded precisely into the ball cage on both sides. Push the drawer in with gentle, even pressure until the retaining catch audibly engages.

Anti-Tip Protection: Wall Anchoring

A chest of drawers must never be used without wall anchoring. Models that are only 30 cm or 35 cm deep have an unfavourable centre of gravity in particular. When multiple drawers are opened simultaneously, the weight shifts drastically forward.

Use the included anti-tip bracket (usually a metal angle bracket or a strong fabric strap).

1. Mark the position of the bracket on the wall.
2. Drill a hole corresponding to the diameter of your wall plug (usually 6 mm or 8 mm).
3. Use a wall plug suitable for your wall type (concrete, plasterboard, brick). The standard plugs often provided in fittings packs are not suitable for stud or plasterboard walls.
4. Screw the bracket firmly to the wall and then to the solid top panel of the chest of drawers.

Common Pitfalls and Tips

• Mixed-up screws: If you use screws that are too long for the drawer runners, they will break through the exterior of the chest of drawers. Check the length before driving them in.
• Uneven gaps: If the drawers stick or hang askew, the cause is almost always a carcase that is not square. Check whether the chest is standing level and whether the diagonals were verified during back panel installation.
• Cam locks not catching: If a cam lock fastener will not turn, the bolt in the mating piece is screwed in either too deeply or not deeply enough. Adjust the bolt by half a turn.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I assemble the chest of drawers on my own? Assembling the carcase and drawers can easily be carried out by one person. A second person is only helpful when lifting the assembled carcase upright and holding it for wall mounting, preventing strain on the joints.

Why are the drawer fronts not sitting flush? This occurs when the drawer runners are not fixed into the exact designated system holes. Check whether the runners on the left and right side panels are screwed in at precisely the same height (in the same hole of the System 32 grid).

What weight capacity do the drawers in the GABRIEL series have? The load capacity depends on the installed runner mechanism. Standard roller runners in home furniture are typically designed for a dynamic load of roughly 15 kg to 20 kg. Always distribute heavy items evenly and store them preferably in the bottom drawers to keep the centre of gravity low.