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Ikea Alex full drawer extension 3D Printer File Image 1
Ikea Alex full drawer extension 3D Printer File Image 2
Ikea Alex full drawer extension 3D Printer File Thumbnail 1
Ikea Alex full drawer extension 3D Printer File Thumbnail 2

Ikea Alex full drawer extension

Daniel Gladyshev avatarDaniel Gladyshev

April 21, 2026

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Description

How does this print make the drawers fully extendable?

The Alex drawer is bolted to the sliding rail, and the rails range of motion is the limiting factor here.
Replacing the bolt with this printable clip will partially detach the drawer from the rail, allowing the drawer to slide on the rail itself while also maintaining the rail's motion to minimize sagging when fully extended. 

Print settings

  • Designed for 0.4 Nozzle

  • Arachne

  • Draw the seam on the edge
     

Installation

  • Remove the bolts connecting the drawer to the rails.

  • Stretch the clip over the drawer side, pointing the arrow to the front, while aligning the groove in the clip with the small tab on the rail


Give it a try, only 3.5 grams of filament per drawer :)

Type

Open length

Accessible

Original    

31 cm

73%

Extended 

42.2 cm

100%

 

Parametric source file

  • As everything works on friction. Too tight, and it will be hard to open the extra length; too loose, and the rail slips and won't follow the drawer, resulting in drawer sagging.

  • DrawerH & DrawerW are dimensions of the drawer sides.

  • ToleranceH (default:-0.15mm), Lower this value if you need a higher grip, or increase it to loosen it.

  • If your drawer front isn't flush with the cabinet, you can try to adjust it (default:1.2mm) 

 

Compatibility & Remarks

*Apparently, Ikea Alex drawer rails have several versions over the years. 
I have three different versions, with only one of them not compatible with my solution.
Mainly because my solution requires the drawer to slide freely on the rail, and it isn't happening due to too high friction between them, but also because the old rail doesn't have a tab for my clip to attach to.

I am not sure what version came after which, so I will assume the oldest one is on the left

A. Old version -  not compatible

B. Middle - compatible

C. Newest - compatible

Based on my test

How easy it slides with the clip, for given dimensions

Short drawer:
H=70.8 ; W=12.7
Tall drawer:
 
Ease of slide: 5/10

Short drawer:
H=70.3 ; W=12.5
Tall drawer:
H=130.5 ; W=12.5

Ease of slide: 10/10

Short drawer:
H=70.8 ; W=12.7

Ease of slide: 2/10

 

Note: You will need to print the prototype for this version

Note: Because this version has a rough texture the sliding won't be as smooth as the Newest version.

Note: The sides are smooth, and the drawer will easily slide as shown in the video

Print:

Short drawer - tolerance 0.3.stl

Short drawer.stl

 

**There is a prototype test model for the old version. Press the printed tab into the slot as shown below.
You can try it and tell me if it works properly

 

 

 

 

 

 

***You might find using PTFE lube on the rail slots helpful 

License:

Creative Commons — Attribution — Noncommercial — Share Alike

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