Friction slides compared to ball bearing

[BBBking]

I am looking at purchasing an old snapon tool box that has the friction slides for the drawers. How do they compare with ball bearing slides? Are they as smooth when pulling out the drawers?

 

[alex71]

as smooth? no. Usable, sure, unless overloaded. Don't pile a 4" deep drawer to the top with metal and expect it to work well.

 

[Mickey O]

The better old boxes (Snap On, Mac, Cornwell, etc.) with the friction slides work pretty well, I have old ones with double friction slides on each drawer and they are pretty damn good but not as nice as ball bearings.

 

[BBBking]

I am I correct in assuming the KR 560 (15 years old) has friction slides? Also, are the older snapon boxes built like tanks?

 

[Packard V8]

Yes, the best ball-bearing slides are way better than friction slides. Cheap ball bearing slides are a plague.

One simple fact - some of the strongest boxes ever made had friction slides and techs used them without a problem for decades.

I don't even look to confirm what kind of slides a used box has. If the drawers work smoothly and the box is top-of-the-line quality, I'm fine with friction slides. In fact, some of the best bargains I've ever gotten are because the newbies all think they HAVE to have BB slides.

thnx, jack vines

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I am I correct in assuming the KR 560 (15 years old) has friction slides? Also, are the older snapon boxes built like tanks?

1) A 15 year old snap on box should have BB slides.

2) Yes

 

[jshillin]

I had a couple early 70's and early 80's snap on boxes with friction slides and they were very smooth. The boxes were in really good shape so that may have helped, but they were very smooth.

 

[Griff93]

I have a KR650A that was taken pretty good care of by the original owner that has friction slides. I use it daily at work and haven't had any issues with it. I certainly wouldn't pass up a good older snap on box for it not having ball bearing slides. I actually prefer a friction slide box for a machinist box due to the drawers not slamming closed and jarring my micrometers. I have an older friction slide craftsman box I use just for that.

 

[Merkava_4]

With ball bearing slides, I always feel like I have to close the drawer each time after retrieving a tool. With friction slides however, I feel like it's ok to leave the drawer out a little ways as I'm using my tools.

 

[peter_x]

I like how friction slide drawers stop by themselves when you open a drawer halfway... You don't have to stop the momentum of the drawer.

 

[mjozefow]

As Previously stated, a high quality friction slide box can be a joy to use. A low quality friction box will bind and drive you nuts. The same holds true for BB, but they are usually a higher price and better quality to start.


I love my old Snap-on frictin boxes.

 

[Danglerb]

Friction slides can be improved if you keep them clean and give a shot of silicone lubricant like the PB Garage Door Lubricant.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I love my old Snap-on frictin boxes.

+1

You keep them lubed, take care of your box and you shouldn't ever have a problem with them.

 

[t100]

In my first SO box, 25-30 years old, the bottom drawer, 26W x 18D, 8" tall, I filled it up with about 100lbs of C-clamps, BFH, dolly, never had any problems opening or closing it.

as long as it's kept in a place low on dust/sand, it should be fine.

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[tylerae40]

+1

You keep them lubed, take care of your box and you shouldn't ever have a problem with them.

+2 i agree, your better off getting a good old friction slide box that is good quality, and posibly cheap than getting a cheap new roller slide box, they are apsolutly **** especially when loaded up. a friction drawer box also leaves you the option of putting it in a truck or car if need- normally (in a truck) a ball bearing drawer will hammer and stuff the slides where as a friction drawer will rattle arould happily with no problems. oh and definatly use lube