Replies

1. 
   ken1133 | Dec 17, 2003 04:08am | #1

   Sarouk,

   I am installing new drawers and slides right now.  I decided to use Blum 100# Class http://www.wwhardware.com/catalog.cfm?GroupID=Drawer%20Slides.  They have a side clearance of 3/16", but because they are an under mount type, I lose some verical space.  I found the online catalog kind of confusing, so I called and they were very helpful.  They also sent a printed catalog which is much easier to use.  You may be able to use the Premium undermount slides.  I was not able to because of the way my cabinets were made.

   Good Luck,

   Ken

2. 
   BOBSKIBBY | Dec 17, 2003 04:43am | #2

   The company mentioned in the next reply is an excellant company to deal with. I have ordered items in the past with good results and good prices and fast service. I highly recommend them Bob

3. 
   CJohn | Dec 17, 2003 05:47am | #3

   I have ordered from Woodworker's Hardware, with great results and fast turn around time.

4. 
   beck4000 | Dec 17, 2003 06:22pm | #4

   Try SALICE hinges,there far better then Blum...do a search on Google...

   I am just a Woodworker,But I know Nothing..
5. 
   scooter1 | Dec 17, 2003 10:00pm | #5

   Accuride, made right here in California, are terrific slides. But expect to pay upwards to $20 for a pair. These sound like bottom mount side slides. I'd just buy another piece of junk for another $5 at the home center and call it a day. You probably could match them exactly (pull them out and figure out what brand) and drill no new holes. Easy repair, and you'd look like a super-star.

   Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

1. 
   Adrian | Dec 19, 2003 04:02pm | #8

   $20 a pair? Holy cow.....I pay around $10-12 a pair, $CDN.

   orignal poster: the cabinetmaker is right, you are going to be limited to replacing the slides with other slides that have exactly the same side clearance, or within the tolerances of the slide which is usually 12.5 mm each, 25 mm total +/- a mm or two(I'm assuming you have European style 3/4 extension undermount slides, from your description). You can fit some of the full extensions slides, like Accuride in that space, but not all, so be careful....they all have some models that are a little thicker.

   Or, you could replace the drawer boxes, and upgrade to a premium undermount slide, like Blum's Tandem.cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, N.S

1. 
   scooter1 | Dec 19, 2003 09:06pm | #9

   If you want 24" full extension 150 lbs Accuride slides, yes, they are about $20. Three quarter extension? OK drop that by $5; 100 lb? OK, drop another $3 or so. Accuride sells all types. I think their cheapest is around $9 or so, but they are short, not full extension and certainly not 150 ratings.

   I install the best Accuride slides made for my kitchens. Given that 80% of the customer cost is labor, it is silly to install any material other than the best.Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

1. 
   Adrian | Dec 21, 2003 01:49am | #12

   At 150 pounds, those must be file drawer slides....you don't really install them on every drawer, do you? 100 pound slides are plenty.  24", full extension, (100 pound), here, are c. $10-12 Cdn, or less depending on quantity.

   cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, N.S

1. 
   scooter1 | Dec 22, 2003 02:15am | #14

   I ask the homeowner. Ya'all want cheapie $3 drawer slides that will last 5 years, or Accurides that will last 20 years? I have seen drawers I have installed be used as step stools!

   Yes, generally, the homeowner wants the expensive slides. They love the way Accuride feels. The self closing types that spring in and close the last half inch are neat. And the drawers won't come out unless you squeeze the little rubber thingy.

   But, criminey, I'd just replace the existing pieces of s h i t. Like another poster said, it would be $20 for the whole kitchen, might take all of an hour, and I'd be drinking beer and watching football by the time the wife gets back from shopping. She wouldn't know the difference, they'd last another 5 years, she'd think I'm a super-star and I probably get a hummer out of the deal without breaking the bank.

   The alternative is a $100 or so of slides and perhaps a day or two of fussing. They may not work, the kitchen would be a mess for two days, the wife would think (or realize) that I'm an idiot, and sadly no hummer.

   Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

2. 
   Adrian | Dec 22, 2003 04:04pm | #15

   I'm not saying Accurides aren't better than the old standard 3/4 extension undermounts....they are, and I always offered them, and usually that's what the client chose... I'm saying Accurides standard 90 or 100 pound full extension slides are plenty, rather than the 150 pound file drawer slides or 3640's (200 pound), which are ugly, clunky, and more awkward to install. There are other companies that make a 150 lb slide that look similar to the medium duty ones, but Accuride doesn't to my knowledge.

   Today, I will still offer Accurides, but now they are the mid level choice....if someone wants a premium slide, we look at Blum Tandems or Tandembox. That's what is going in my kitchen when I get to it.cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, N.S

2. 
   migraine | Dec 20, 2003 07:05am | #11

   Accuride full extension slides(such as a #3032 ~80lb weight-I think) run about $8-$10 per pair when you buy them by the box of ten. Blum white epoxy coated 3/4 extension slides are in the $3-$4 range per pair in a box of 25.  Now if you talking conceiled undermount "tandem" blum slides, I think they are in the $25-$35 range.

   Salice, IMO, are inferior

   Buying them from Rockler, or other stores/mail order, you will be paying a premium on the above prices

3. 
   HenryVIII | Dec 21, 2003 05:34am | #13

   I agree with Boris.  If the slides lasted 5 years, or even 3 before they went bad, and the original poster dosen't know much about drawers, he'd be better off getting the same old cheapies and putting them every 4 or 5 years.

   Cost is probably a couple of bucks at one of the box stores, and time involved is probably 10 minutes per drawer using a regular screw driver.

   If he gets new slides and starts trying to get the slides mounted to the carcase straight and level, he could get into a real mess.  First time I tried to do that, lo these many years ago, it took me a long time and some positively filthy language to get them even halfway right.

   Enery

6. 
   gecko | Dec 17, 2003 10:09pm | #6

   the cabinet maker may have a point. normally drawer slides need 1/2" per slide to function. the problem is getting around the face frame.

   I would also venture to say that the cabinet maker may not be responsible for the drawer slides 5 years after the fact. I always give my customers the option of whichever drawer slides they want and outline the pros and cons of each, if they choose the cheapies I always try to talk them out of it. the problem is most people don't care about those details and all they see is $$$ when they see the difference in price, between me and the next guy. which is why most manufacturers of kitchens don't even bother talking about it, they just assume the lower the price the happier the client, which in general is true. this of course is why there are no more cabinet makers that build their kitchens out of solid wood with hand cut dovetails, people want things as cheap as they can get 'em and don't think to ask why they are so cheap. this of course is miles off topic, but the root of it is that the cabinet maker had a reason for putting in those drawer slides.

   p.s. the same rules apply to many other building materials. I build my kitchens out of veneer core plywood, yet I have never had a client ask me if I do or not, they just don't care because they don't know the difference.

   Custom Cabinetry and Furniture

   http://www.BartlettWoodworking.com

    

7. 
   ASK | Dec 18, 2003 05:24pm | #7

   I have been buying Blum products from Manhattan Laminates for years. Their prices seem to be pretty good. Their site isn't very good but you can call them.

   http://www.manhattanlaminates.com

   ASK

8. 
   Dave10 | Dec 20, 2003 05:58am | #10

   Look in the current Hafele catalog. It lists a variety of slides

   which may solve your problems - housebrand, Accuride,etc.