Converting sliding toolbox drawers to roller bearing ?

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Is this doable? I heard about some people having done this but haven't been able to find any information on how to do this. Has anybody here looked into this or tried it?

 

[apexit1]

This is something I'm interested in. I haven't gotten around to researching it though. From what I can remember reading on here is that it may be cost prohibitive. Usually involving taking out the drawers, drilling out the rivits, finding the appropriate bb slides and riviting those on.

I'm interested on doing this on an old '79 matco box I picked up used.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

On what model/brand tool box?

 

[Pro-Painter]

I have a Kobalt 4 drawer work bench that had horrible slides from the factory that I replaced with HF slides. I ordered replacement slides from the 13-drawer bottom cabinet and used rivets to attach them to the drawers and work bench of the kobalt. Worked perfect and was easy to do. I paid around $35 to swap all 4 drawers over.

 

[csp]

As long as there's enough space between the drawers and the toolbox sides it shouldn't be a problem. Roller slides need an exact distance between the two in order to work properly.

 

[rsanter]

been covered before but like all the other threads its talked about alot but nor really done.
I have a SO bottom box I have wanted to do that to. it looks doable from the point that the width between the drawer and cabinet are right for a BBslide
just need to remove the old friction slides and rivit the new BB slides in place

bob

 

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On what model/brand tool box?

I was thinking an old craftsman and a remline, since thats what I have.

 

[cnc-me]

Accuride, used to use them on all our furniture projects.
Expensive but worth it.
The drawers and the cabinet have to be perfectly parallel with just the
right amount of clearance. Some of their later slides had tabs on the side
that would allow some error in the cabinet and drawer.
Might be cheaper just to get a different box, especially if you do not have the
right clearance. I don't think I would bother unless it was a really nice box
say a Snap On or Mac. Also you probably won't notice that much difference
over well maintained regular slides unless your drawers are loaded real heavy.
Just my .02 cents from someone that installed these things for 20 years.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

why not step up to box that has them ?

 

[ChrisStarks]

why not step up to box that has them ?

That's too easy, costs money, and then there's nothing to write about on here.

 

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That's too easy, costs money, and then there's nothing to write about on here.

bingo. This isnt the home tool shopping network. This is the Tim Allen channel.

 

[trebomb]

That's too easy, costs money, and then there's nothing to write about on here.

Don't discount the fact that Accuride drawer slides with a comparable load rating are $100-200 per pair. Once I did the research, a properly-lubricated friction slide started looking pretty good to me.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

That's too easy, costs money, and then there's nothing to write about on here.

paint it pretty

 

[Carl B]

Don't discount the fact that Accuride drawer slides with a comparable load rating are $100-200 per pair. Once I did the research, a properly-lubricated friction slide started looking pretty good to me.

I suppose if you want that brand - you can pay $200.00 a pair... or maybe get them for $75.00 a pair.

On the other hand you can buy Fulterer FR 5210's that carry 200lbs per drawer for $18.45. Zinc Plated/Black or white
http://www.drawerslides.com/p/400173

Or Knape & Vogt 8800 series - 200lb for $35.76 a pair
http://www.drawerslides.com/p/kv8800b-20

Lots of options other than $200.00 per pair...

FWIW,
Carl B.

 

[Packard V8]

That's too easy, costs money, and then there's nothing to write about on here.

I bow to no man in my love for DIY, improving tools, storage, operations and bringing back broken and discarded machinery.

Having said that, adding roller slides to a friction box is a no go for me. One, because properly aligned and lubed friction drawer slides work just fine. If they don't, it's overloaded, bent or needs lube. And two, it just costs WAY more than the box is worth. By watching craigslist and estate sales, good boxes come along regularly at good prices.

Your box, your labor, your money, your decision.

jack vines

 

[r6_cannibal]

I went down this road as well and decided to opt out of it. By the time I had converted all 8 drawers on my old cornwell box, it would have cost me the price of a used box with them already installed from the factory. once i took the drawers out I realized that they had been overloaded and the sliders were a little bent. A little time on the anvil straightened them up, cleaned everything up, some silicone grease, and they glide nice and smooth.

 

[Davefr]

Yes, friction slides can be as effortless as ball bearing slides if the slides are well maintained and the drawers aren't overloaded.

In fact friction slides can be even smoother then unloaded ball bearing slides like on KRL's.

I'd save your money and clean and lubricate your friction slides. Replace any that are bent or worn out.

 

[Sick Puppy]

Also depends on the box - SAFA tool boxes here are manufactured differently between the friction and ball bearing slide ones, apparently the side walls are different... won't know for sure until I visit the factory and find out, it being here in Christchurch and all!

 

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Where can you find replacement slides for the older boxes like Remline and Craftsman ?

 

[FYG]

Also depends on the box - SAFA tool boxes here are manufactured differently between the friction and ball bearing slide ones, apparently the side walls are different... won't know for sure until I visit the factory and find out, it being here in Christchurch and all!

SAFA! Beautiful storage units. Had them custom build a beautiful arrangement for me last year. There's nothing they can't do to suit your needs, for a price...