Deep drawer slide location

[nmantas]

I have some deep drawers that I'm putting in under my workbench with heavy duty ball bearing slides and was wondering what the consensus is for slide location? Near the bottom/middle/top of the side of the drawer? Wondering if it mattered physics-wise. I know the deep drawers in my toolbox are double-slided and I will have extra slides to do that if need be but would rather just start with the best method (and use my extras for other drawers).

FYI-this will a couple of large drawers about 42" wide x 15" high x 21" deep

 

[The Cobbler]

it probably doesn't make a lot of difference, but my inkling would be tracks near the tops of the drawers so they sort of hang on the track as opposed to at the bottom where they would be sort of top heavy on the slides

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Excellent question. I have wondered about this in the case of a setup i am building.
Have gone with bottom edge mount so far. One reason is that it might reduce racking.

 

[nmantas]

One reason is that it might reduce racking.

Besides the depth and slide location issue to think about, the width is also something I'm concerned about for racking. I've read that using a combo approach on oversized drawers like this can work wonders by using both side-mount and bottom-mount slides. The sides for the weight and the bottoms to keep everything aligned. I would still like to keep this simple first then alter it if there seems to be an issue.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

I've been putting them on the center the last few drawers/cabinets I've built.
no particular reason...........seems to work ok.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

I just looked at the size, those are big drawers, 42" wide. maybe you need some slides on the bottom.
One thing for sure with just slides on the sides you'll have to be careful when you close them.

 

[ddawg16]

I always put them on the bottom. Makes life a lot easier.

Cliff note version....

You need a 'rail' to attach the slide to. This can be a strip of wood..or plywood. If we assume you have a face frame...by putting the bottom of the slid at the top of the face frame, it's real easy to place the inner part of the slide. You just line up the bottom of the slide with your drawer and make the screw points.

 

[nmantas]

Bottom kills the weight capacity but also makes it massively easier to split the width into 4 drawers instead of 2.....thinking of just going for it.

 

[ddawg16]

Bottom kills the weight capacity but also makes it massively easier to split the width into 4 drawers instead of 2.....thinking of just going for it.

I meant bottom side....not bottom mount. You're right about weight....bottom mount don't have the weight capacity a side mount like Acuride would have. Not to mention the cost difference.

At 42"W....it's going to be a ***** to hang. It will take two people.

What is the other side of the slide going to screw to? Are the drawers going to be side by side? Or one on top of the other?

 

[Monza Harry]

My thinking is that the bottom of the side [vertical] is the strongest part of the vertical because the bottom acts as a flange to the drawer sides [vertical] that isn't present with the top of the side. I recall seeing slides with a lip that lets you just set the drawer on them for fastening without fighting for alignment. also carries the weight to the slide, not just the screws. Harry

 

[hippie2cams]

Slides are usually made for a certain weight the more weight you put in the drawer will determine how many slides you need

 

[nmantas]

Slides are usually made for a certain weight the more weight you put in the drawer will determine how many slides you need

Yes, these are heavy duty slides that are in the 200lb class (over double of your average quality slide sets). The weight isn't a problem as much as the unruliness of the extreme height and width. Rain will put this project on hold for awhile and like I said I want to keep it simple and see how it performs (with slides on the bottom). If I have problems with binding I will start messing with it (probably but two slides on the bottom to act as guides. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

The instructions with the slides i have been using include a warning to not use with drawers that are wider than drawer length.
42 inch deep drawer - that would be impressive.

 

[walta]

The cabinet in my kitchen is 39 inch wide drawers with 21 inch blum undermounts.

They have been great with 8-12 pot and lids.

https://www.rockler.com/blum-tandem-full-extension-drawer-slide-kit-with-blumotion-soft-close


Walta

 

[nmantas]

Finally got this bench back together today (let the paint set for a few weeks while on vacation. I used heavy duty 250 lb class full extension slides.......only used one on each side of the drawer on the bottom. Zero racking or twisting or anything like that.

First ever use of fastnerless jointery:

Can't wait for someone to open it up looking for something with the vise handle not gravity centered down.