Cabinet Drawer Slides

Cabinet drawer slides come in pairs. Typically, they are mounted one at either side of a pullout drawer.

When installed and loaded correctly, they allow a drawer to open and close easily. A drawer slide consists of a track attached to each side of a cabinet, and bearings or rollers attached to a drawer.

Weight Bearing Capacity

Cabinet drawer slides come in various weight capabilities. Heavy duty drawer slides can support up to 200 pounds. As an example, these are used to support file drawers in offices, which can become quite heavy.

Alternatively, a manufacturer will also produce light duty drawer slides, like some kitchen cabinet drawer slides, with many plastic components, which will support as little as 20 pounds.

Full extension drawer slides use telescopic mechanisms so that drawers can fully extend out from cabinets, allowing easy access to the back of the drawer. These have a typical load capacity between 50 and 100 pounds.

Sizes will vary according to the depth of the drawer. For residential use, sizes usually start at 10 inches and go up in 2-inch increments to 24 inches.

Cost

Prices of cabinet drawer slides will vary according to capacity, size, extension, and special features, such as "self-closing" slides. If you discuss the slides with your cabinet supplier, specify ball-bearing slides.

The price of the slides is not a significant portion of the price you're going to pay for cabinets, so don't diminish the quality of your cabinets by trying to save $100 or so (price difference between high and low quality slides in a typical kitchen).

Self-Closing Slides

I particularly like the undermounted, self-closing slides. These mount on the bottom of the drawer rather than along the sides.

This will add nearly an inch of width to the drawer, but decrease the height by about 1/2 inch. When the drawer gets within 2 inches of closing, it will finish the trip on it's own. Very sexy.

Sometimes the repeated in-and-out motions, and the hard openings and closings of drawers, lead to broken or worn out slides. If your slides are not working smoothly, start by simply checking to see that all the screws are tight.

A few turns of a screw driver is sometime all it takes. Other times, especially on light duty slides, the tracks or guides are bent. Try using pliers to realign the parts. Sometimes, however, you will have to replace a slide.

If you need to replace one or more drawer slides, most home centers and hardware stores will carry a limited selection, but probably have the slides you need. If not, check the internet for sources of the particular slide you're looking for.

USA Cabinet Hardware has a huge selection of drawer slides for cabinets and furniture. You may well find what you are looking for there.

However, Woodworker's Hardware is another good place to look. They not only carry drawer slides, but also a wide range of drawers and cabinet products.

If you have any questions, contact me about cabinet drawer slides by clicking here.

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