How to Attach Drawer Slides

There are many woodworking projects that include drawers. Whether you are building kitchen cabinets, a chest of drawers for your bedroom or a workbench for your garage, you'll put in a drawer. There are many different types of drawer slides: single, double, some made from metal and some wood.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look at the example of a single wooden slide for your drawers. These can be mounted on the top of your drawer and on the bottom. This type slide mounted on the top of your drawer looks like a T. This slide mounts in the center of your opening with the T section facing downward. Level this slide and attach it to the back of your cabinet. Cut it short on the front by taking ½ inch off of the T.

2. Continue to attach your drawer slide. It's now time to attach the runner which is made out of plastic. Center the runner on the back of your drawer. This runner will accept the wood T bracket which you've installed in Step 1. Drill pilot holes in back of the drawer and attach the plastic slide with screws, allowing the bracket to protrude up above your drawer about 3/8 inch. This bracket will slide in the ½-inch portion that you took out in Step 1.

3. Learn that there is a big difference when you attach metal slides for drawers. These normally mount on the side of the drawers. They have nylon bearings attached to 1 side which makes the drawer travel easily. They come right and left handed. When you buy these type of slides, you buy them in pairs. The drawers should be ¾ inch smaller than the width of your opening.

4. Attach the metal slide to your drawers by looking at the L shape of your slide. This attaches to your drawer. It has nylon bushing on the back side. Drill pilot holes and secure with the screws provided.

5. Mount the side slide to the opening of your drawer frame. This slide looks like a U with a nylon bushing in the front. It also comes with a plastic bracket which attaches to the rear of the cabinet to hold the slide stationary. Level, slide and attach bracket. Now secure your slide and plastic bracket. Drill a pilot hole in the front of your drawer opening and secure the slide.

[jbrown13]

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[jbrown13]

on 11/5/2009 my bad, that was www.slidedummy.info, been doing home repairs and using those two sites a lot lately

[jbrown13]

on 11/5/2009 check out www.hingedummy.info as well, great step by step with picture instructions