Route the channels in the middle of the sides with a router (thanks, Dad, for letting me use your router/table!).Trim the width of the new boards with a circular saw (since I don't have a table saw).Measure the old boards, get some Poplar boards that were as close to the old dimension as possible.

We decided to make the best of the situation and make as good a repair as possible, resulting in much improved (like new!) rails:

My wife and I needed an extra dresser to keep up with the growing family (third baby is on the way in a few months!), and since we would rather buy things that last-but not buy new if we can save a bundle of money-we bought a used wood dresser on Craigslist:įirst lesson: always inspect every last bit of furniture before loading it up and hauling it away! Most of the rails were in not-great condition, and the guides on the drawers weren't in great shape either: