School me on Drawer Slides

[wfopete]

I'm installing drawer slides in my work bench. Thought I'd try out some soft close slides so I went and bought a few from Lowes (75# 22" full extension Richelieu brand). Unfortunately the soft close mechanism has broken on one side both times when I tested them with a empty drawer. Called Richelieu in hopes of getting some help figuring out the problem and all I got was that "We are only the distributor not the manufacture" No Parts no tech service and couldn't even tell me where they were made! Given the soft close feature commands about 2x the price of a standard slide I'm about to bail out on these in favor of the standard style on slide.

Can anyone give me advice on a better slide design and source or is this more of a problem of my installation?

I just bought a set of Knape and Vogt of like spec and I'll try those out.

 

[Git]

Personally, I wouldn't use 'soft close' type slides in the garage because I wouldn't want to spend the money on them.

I recently used these on a router cabinet that I made. I was pleased with the quality and the price. (5) sets of 18" for $40. They have a pretty good variety in sizes also

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074PQRL9M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[wfopete]

These are a pretty good deal too if you can stand the quanity.

www.homedepot.com/p/Berta-12-in-Steel-Ball-Bearing-Full-Extension-Drawer-Slide-20-Pack-4501S-12/206388152?MERCH=REC-_-thankyou1_rr-_-206388145-_-206388152-_-N

 

[Dzlpete]

Soft close undermounts, there is really only Blum, then everything else. I am a cabinetmaker, and have used hundreds if not thousands of their slides.
Zero, as in NO callbacks.
Lifetime warranty, and available in standard and heavy duty.

 

[Cooter Brown]

Soft close undermounts, there is really only Blum, then everything else. I am a cabinetmaker, and have used hundreds if not thousands of their slides.
Zero, as in NO callbacks.
Lifetime warranty, and available in standard and heavy duty.

Same here. I've also got hundreds of them out there being used every day and I've never had an issue.

 

[MushCreek]

I bought the slides for my home cabinetry at this place. I used the cheapest full extension slides they sell, and they have held up beautifully. Blum makes great stuff, but with 33 drawers in the kitchen, they weren't in my budget.

https://www.cshardware.com/

 

[RKA]

Just take it back to Lowes and get it exchanged for a new set. I've got 5 pairs of them in a cabinet in my shop, they work fine. You can fine cheaper or better quality, but sometimes you just want to walk down to the local B&M, get what you need and finish the job.

 

[HenryAZ]

I prefer wood runners, attached to the drawer opening inside at the bottom of the drawer runner itself. An occasional rubbing with paraffin wax keeps them sliding nicely. Don't forget a block at the top (above the drawer) to keep it from tipping. We built our workbenches this way in the millwork shop where I worked, and they held up for decades. I have a dresser I built for myself this way that is over 40 years old. Full extension, at least enough to get to the back of the drawer.

 

[Tom Sestito]

Anything Richelieu is most likely going to be offshore.

And - any side mount drawer slide with soft close is garbage, regardless of brand. If you want soft close you need to start at undermount.

If you want cheap basic functionality for a garage without soft close then I’d use side mount slides.

 

[Cooter Brown]

If you want cheap basic functionality for a garage without soft close then I’d use side mount slides.

I agree with this. Good side mount slides are dependable and strong. It's what I've got on some heavily used drawers in my shop.

Of course we don't know what the OP is replacing, and side mount and bottom mount slides will have different drawer box sizing specs.

I used the K&V undermounts when I was helping out at a buddy's shop--they seemed to be good quality but I don't remember COO. I suspect a K&V slide of either type would be of better quality than a Richelieu but don't know for sure. If I were making a shop cabinet I'd probably use K&V side mounts without soft close.

 

[joeysh03]

Ive read good reviews from this place
https://ahturf.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=530

 

[Toomanytools?]

Blum are good, I also have used Accuride side mount FE,SC 22" runs about $18/pair rated at 100lbs, model 3832C.

 

[Git]

Ive read good reviews from this place
https://ahturf.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=530

ahturf usually has very good prices. That is who I usually use for Blum hinges, slides, etc

 

[ddawg16]

Browse Amazon or Rockler to get a good idea.

For a garage.....negative on the soft close. Too much dust in a garage. The undermounts are nice for allowing you to make the drawer a little wider....with side mount, you need 1/2" clearance on each side. I'm one of those people who does not like that gap...seems like wasted space. Hence, all of my kitchen drawers are undermount. But the garage? Side mount full extension.

I like using the old fashioned wood glides....but only for drawers that don't see a lot of use or where I want to look and feel.

I'm gone through a lot of different slides over the years. For example, I won't use the center ball bearing slide anymore. They don't hold up as well as the old fashioned wood glides. About the only advantage to the ball bearing center glides is ease of install.

Using a jig to install slides can save a lot of time....especially in getting the slides plumb. On bottom hidden slides, it's real important to be plumb.

 

[Sawdustmaker]

I've used Accuride, Blum and the ones from Rockler. I have since switched to the ones I found on the Home Depot web page:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/22-in-F...PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-300243510-_-300243508-_-N

They are reasonably priced and work well for the garage. Come in different lengths.