drawer runner hardware question

Re: drawer runner hardware question

David Yoho

Bill, I've used the standard epoxy coated Blum slides as well as the Accuride. I like the Blum slides because they're inexpensive and hold up over time. I like the Accuride slides when I want something that's smooth and will handle more weight. Another thing to think about is whether a drawer will function better fully extended, which will allow access to the entire space inside. I've always used the Accurides for that too. Also, if you want to get fancy, the Blumotion soft closing slides are nice.

Re: drawer runner hardware question

Sgian Dubh

Whichever brand you go for, I strongly recommend you choose full extension for easy drawer access for things hard to find tucked away at the back of the drawer box. Accuride a good brand which I've used frequently over the years. Their 3732, for example, is rated for 100 lbs., more than enough for lightweight use in a desk. It's not fancy, but it comes in travel lengths in 2" increments from 12" - 27". You should be able to get a pair for about US$10.

Be wary of incorporating drawers wider than about 600 or 700 mm (24" - 28") in your design. Most drawer runners, even really good ones, don't cope particularly well with very wide drawers because there's a tendency for them to rack and not open and close particularly smoothly, or the two parts of the slide want to disengage one from the other. Slainte.

Re: drawer runner hardware question

John McGaw

Full-extension is always good but sometimes, as in a design where there is a lip extending past the apron, over-extension slides are probably more appropriate. Soft close is nice too in any case. I visited a friend who had custom cabinets in her home and the feel of the cabinet doors and drawers was fantastically silky-smooth. Definitely top-of-the-line European hardware although I didn't examine to find the manufacturer. Her bar-type peninsula has some seriously wide but shallow drawers and the over-extension slides were all that made them fully accessible.

Re: drawer runner hardware question

George Koch

I would be careful of full extension or over extension slides in this application due to tipping when fully loaded. Kitchen cabinets are fastened to the wall. Not so in this case. Just my opinion, George

Re: drawer runner hardware question

John McGaw

I'd think that it would depend on the design and construction and how it is meant to be used. For a drawer that is shallow and high up and meant to hold pencils and the like then an over-extension slide should pose no problems, especially so if the desk is heavy and with a low center-of-gravity. For lower file-type drawers there should be little risk. On the other hand if the desk was made in the modernistic "thick slab" on spindly legs style then I might have some concerns about tipping but even then some splay on the legs might alleviate a bit of concern.