Soft-Close Drawer Runners Suitable for Pelipal Kitchens
A full-extension runner with integrated soft-close gently and silently pulls the drawer shut over the final few centimetres, whilst the runner can be extended across its entire nominal length, typically from 250 mm to 600 mm.
Replacement Parts for Pelipal Cabinets: Identifying Wear on Drawer Runners
Mechanical components in furniture are subject to continuous stress. Much like brake pads on a car, the moving components of drawers wear out after thousands of opening and closing cycles. When a drawer in the bathroom or kitchen catches, rubs, or slams shut loudly, the runner or the damper is usually defective.
Instead of replacing the entire cabinet carcass, changing the hardware fittings is generally sufficient. furnica provides technical components designed as a precise alternative to factory-fitted systems. If you are looking for replacement parts suitable for Pelipal, determining the exact dimensions and the fixing type is the crucial factor for a successful repair.
What to Look for Regarding Drawer Runner Compatibility
To ensure that the new hardware is compatible with your existing furniture, three technical parameters must match: the nominal length, the runner type, and the hole pattern.
Nominal Length and Internal Clear Width
The nominal length defines the length of the closed runner and usually corresponds roughly to the depth of the drawer. Common dimensions range from 250 mm - 550 mm. Always measure the metal runner when fully retracted, not the wooden drawer box itself. The internal clear width (the inside cabinet width minus the drawer width) determines how much space is available for mounting the runner on the side panel. For side-mounted runners, this installation dimension is frequently exactly 12.7 mm per side.
The System 32
Most industrially manufactured furniture is based on System 32. This means that pre-drilled holes in the side panels feature a vertical spacing of exactly 32 mm between each other. The distance from the front edge to the first row of holes is standardly 37 mm. When retrofitting or replacing drawer runners with soft-close, they generally align with this standardised grid, making installation significantly easier.
Full Extension vs. Single Extension
Check how far the old drawer could be pulled out. A single extension runner only opens the drawer to approximately 75%. A full extension runner, however, allows the drawer box to be pulled 100% out of the carcass, facilitating access to the rear area. Upgrading from single to full extension is straightforward, provided the installation dimensions match.
Runner Types: Finding the Right Alternative
Depending on the year of manufacture and the furniture range, different runner systems may be installed. First identify the construction type before choosing your replacement.
Undermount Runners
In modern, high-grade cabinets, the runner mechanism sits invisibly beneath the drawer base. The drawer is placed onto the runners and typically locked into place with front locking clips. When you need to replace such concealed systems, undermount drawer runners are the technically correct choice. They offer a high load capacity (often 30 kg to 40 kg) and integrate the soft-close mechanism directly within the runner profile.
Ball Bearing Runners
These runners are mounted visibly to the sides of the drawer. They consist of interlocking metal profiles cushioned by small steel ball bearings. They are extremely robust and ideal when replacing a defective runner. If you value maximum convenience, full-extension drawer runners with integrated soft-close are recommended.
For completely new internal cabinet fittings where wire baskets or metal drawer sides are also replaced, reference is made to the external cabinet width. Pre-configured sets are ideal for this. A 60 cm kitchen cabinet pull-out is calculated specifically for a carcass with a 600 mm external width (with 16 mm or 18 mm wall thickness). For narrower units, such as next to the sink or hob, a 40 cm kitchen cabinet pull-out is used accordingly.
Also Important: Soft-Close Hinges as Replacements
Wear and tear often affects not only drawers but cabinet doors as well. When the integrated door damping weakens, fronts slam unchecked against the carcass. Here too, furnica offers replacements suitable for Pelipal and other manufacturers.
The standard dimension for the cup hole in the door is 35 mm. When selecting a hinge, the mounting type (crank) is decisive. If the door sits completely in front of the carcass side panels, you require a concealed hinge for a full overlay. If two doors share a central partition wall, a half overlay hinge is required.
Concealed cabinet hinges with soft-close act as a direct replacement for defective hinges. For standard doors, an opening angle of 110° is typically used. In this case, 110-degree concealed cabinet hinges fit precisely into the existing drill pattern of most furniture.
Installation and Retrofitting: How to Complete the Replacement
Replacing runner systems is a routine mechanical task that can be carried out accurately with the correct tools.
Required Tools
- Cordless screwdriver or manual screwdriver (drive type PZ or TX, depending on the existing screws)
- Folding rule
- Pencil
- Bradawl / punch (if necessary)
Installation in 4 Steps
- Disassembly: Remove the drawer. For undermount runners, release the front locking clips. For ball bearing runners, press the small plastic release lever inside the runner to separate the inner member from the outer runner.
- Remove Runners: Unscrew the old carcass runners. Take this opportunity to check the pre-drilled holes for any tear-out.
- Attach New Carcass Runners: Align the new runners with the existing 32 mm hole pattern. The distance to the front edge (usually 37 mm) must be maintained precisely, otherwise the front will not close flush. Use Euro screws for a secure fit in the 5 mm drill holes.
- Fit Drawer Runner: Attach the counterpart runner to the drawer box. Next, guide the drawer horizontally into the carcass until the mechanism audibly clicks into place.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I combine push-to-open and soft-close? No. A soft-close mechanism actively pulls the drawer shut and holds it closed. A push-to-open system actively springs the drawer open upon pressure. These are opposing mechanical principles that cannot be combined within a single runner.
How do I measure the length of my old drawer runner correctly? Only measure the fixed metal runner in its closed state. The length is given in millimetres (e.g. 450 mm). The dimension of the extended runner is irrelevant when sourcing replacement parts.
Do furnica runners fit every cabinet? The runners are compatible with almost all furniture manufactured to the industrial standard (32 mm hole spacing). It is essential that the installation clearance (the gap between the drawer side and the internal cabinet wall) matches. For side-mounted ball bearing runners, this is standardly 12.7 mm.
Why does my newly installed soft-close drawer not close completely? This is usually down to an alignment issue. If the carcass runner is not fitted entirely level, or if the setback from the front edge (37 mm) is incorrect, the soft-close engagement pin will not trigger properly. Check the alignment with a spirit level and adjust the screws via the slotted holes.