Silly question – drawer runners

[Bruce Page]

I’m making some traditional drawer runners out of maple. Should the drawer ride on the edge grain (as from the edge of a rift sawn board) of the runner or on the flat grain? I’m thinking edge grain.

What say ye?

Bruce

[Laurie Brown]

I would think there would be more friction with end grain, wouldn't there?

[Joe Scharle]

I run them on the long grain; end grain being problematic for this purpose.

[Bruce Page]

I was thinking that the end grain would be harder and wear better.

[Stephen Edwards]

I was thinking that the end grain would be harder and wear better.

Just to be sure that I understand you: When I think of end grain I'm thinking of the grain that I see when looking at the very end of a board, the end of a cross cut.

As Joe says, an end grain runner would be problematic, IMO.

I always make my drawer runners parallel with the grain of the board from which the runners are cut.

[Bruce Page]

Just to be sure that I understand you: When I think of end grain I'm thinking of the grain that I see when looking at the very end of a board, the end of a cross cut.

As Joe says, an end grain runner would be problematic, IMO.

I always make my drawer runners parallel with the grain of the board from which the runners are cut.

Duh, not end grain :o. I should have said edge grain as from a rift sawn board.

I'll edit my OP...

[Stephen Edwards]

Duh, not end grain :o. I should have said edge grain as from a rift sawn board.

I'll edit my OP...

I thought that's what you meant to say:). I would think that you'd have less vertical movement of the runner, if the slot in which it rides is a nice fit, if you make the runners so that the face grain is what is facing the drawer side. Honestly, I've never given it much thought before.