Upgrading kitchen from hinged doors to drawers

► Shallow kitchen drawer with full-height door. 
► Braced for strength, protects joint between door and drawer. 
► Shallow drawer gives better access to lift out recyle bins etc. 

Applicable drawer 

The project is based around a B&Q low-height drawer (600 mm wide), item 3663602479161:
https://www.diy.com/departments/goodhome-soto-soft-close-drawer-box-w-600mm/3663602479161_BQ.prd 



This drawer type has a sheet-metal back, with dimensions shown in the image.

Other widths are available from B&Q, but I've not verified all the dimensions.

https://www.diy.com/departments/goodhome-soto-soft-close-drawer-box-w-400mm/3663602479147_BQ.prd 
https://www.diy.com/departments/goodhome-soto-soft-close-drawer-box-w-500mm/3663602479154_BQ.prd
https://www.diy.com/departments/goodhome-soto-soft-close-drawer-box-w-800mm/3663602479178_BQ.prd 
https://www.diy.com/departments/goodhome-soto-soft-close-drawer-box-w-1000mm/3663602479185_BQ.prd

Possibly other brands are made in the same factory and might have the same design?

FreeCAD users could easily remix for drawers of slightly different height.

Note that there are also deep drawers available, which might be unnecessary to brace in this way as they have a double clasp to hold the door on. Something to bear in mind. 

In my kitchen the shallow drawer fits under the U-bend of the sink but the deep drawer doesn't. Also the shallow one has easier reach access at the sides.

Other printed hardware

• Printable M6 Ball Joint / Rod End is here :
  https://www.printables.com/model/603172
  
  There you'll find the FreeCAD source which includes this surface bracket
   
• For the other end of the rod, it can be attached to the drawer-front (door) using the surface-mount bracket :
  https://www.printables.com/model/661542 
   
• Also, if using a shallow drawer that's designed for a low front (door), I recommend these bracing pieces, to be added after door alignment is completed.
  https://www.printables.com/model/661796 
   

Recommended fasteners: 

• 4 off   Ø3.5 x 20 L  countersunk screw
• 2 off   Ø3.5 x 30 L  countersunk screw
• M6 threaded rod
• M6 x 55 bolts (or use sawn rod for the pivots)
• M6 nuts & washers 
• →  See models 603172 and 661542 for their own fastener requirements
   

Assembly

• The  Ø6 holes are intentionally a bit undersize, as the installer will probably want to control the fit. Drill it out to size (I found that reversing the drill rotation worked best for this task).
   
• Adjust the brace rod length as described in 603172.  Err on the side of cutting it slightly too long, then you can see if it needs reducing as you adjust the nut positions.