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Drawer Slides Installation: Grumble, Grumble...and tips

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7K views 12 replies 8 participants last post by  khays 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I just did a few hours of battle with an attempt at installing drawer slides.

I wanted to post this for anyone about to do this.

Some Tips on Installing Drawer Slides:
1. Be sure to have a square carcass/case/chest

2. Be sure that the distance between the drawer sides & the chest sides is the recommended distance for the slides (i.e., the thickness of the slides)

3.Use some kind of spacer or story stick to attach the slides

PLEASE ADD YOUR OWN…especially if you're more experienced then me!
 
#3 ·
I second the above tips. If it is not square you are in for tough times. Using a spacer (plywood) has really helped me as well. Nothing worse than moving parts that dont line up. It is a sinkhole for time and highly annoying. Knowing the exact width needed is crucial, one of the few times I think it may actually better to be too small in woodworking. Slides can be shimmed easier than drawers widths can be reduced. For me at least.
 
#5 ·
Your tips are all good and I would add one more.

Whenever possible, install the drawers and glides before the cabinets are installed. Having access from the back sure saves a lot of time and aggravation.
 
#9 ·
I might be able to help if I knew a little more.
Faceframe construction?
What type of slide?
(white 3/4 extension, zinc full extension, file drawer?)

Kindly,

Lee
 
#10 ·
It's true a serious pain in the bum if you don't read the instructions first. Anyway stop grumbling and thanks for bringing it to our attention. You deserve to Have anicer day than you had today. Alistair
 
#11 ·
Thanks guys and gals for the help and encouragement.

christine: yeah, I really prefer the stress free projects of my own design, but a good learning experience non the less

Scotsman: thanks for the good wishes and in fact I did have a better day and go at it!

Lee: They were full extension 24" drawer slides which seemed pretty straight foward (1/2" thickness). The real issue was making the whole cabinet square. I should have spent more time squaring the main structure. I got the plans from Design Confidential:

 
#12 ·
I do have one question…one problem was getting the larger sheet good cuts exact. For these cuts that won't fit on the table saw, I can get within a 1/4 of an inch using a clamp-n-cut & my circular saw.
 
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