The BEST Drawer Slide Method! Ana White's Secret Trick!

Over the last 10 years of installing hundreds of drawer slides, I’ve come up with a unique method that makes installing full extension drawer slides easy. No math, no figuring, and no adjusting, so much easier and faster than any other way of installing full extension drawer slides.

[dzymslizzy]

My late hubby's step-dad was a master craftsman who built amazing furniture. One trick he always used was to set the drawer slides just a hair off level, sloping toward the back of the furniture piece (using the vertical adjustment slot on the slide). The off-level was slight enough that the drawer never bound, and the front lined up just fine, but it was enough to make the drawer self-closing. You'd just give it a tiny, gentle push, and it would glide all the way closed by itself. Brilliant!

[BluePatriotWoman]

Your video is one of the best of this genre I've ever come across. You don't muck it up with a bunch of intro and music and useless information. You demonstrate and explain as you go. Most of all you're calm and confident and that makes a viewer feel like they could do the same. Thank you.

[elizabethbeers]

I'm a newbie woodworker, and I built 27 drawers for my new shop using your method. Every single one worked, perfectly, the first time. What a live saver!

[SteveRamsey]

This is a fantastic method. I never thought about installing the drawer members first, then building the drawer. Thanks!

[talkswithravens]

When putting the front piece on the drawer, you can figure out and mark where you want the handles. Put the front piece on your bench and drill the holes for the handles through the front piece. Then just put some temporary screws into those holes to mount the front piece onto the drawer body. Then install screws from the back like you did, then take the temp screws on the front side out and mount the handles in the drilled holes. No nails and no filler needed.

[kevinwassellsr.]

I've been an amateur cabinet maker for 40 years. I've watched thousands of hours of This Old House and New Yankee workshop. You scooped them both.
THIS LAYOUT METHOD IS BRILLIANT!!!

[tracybrislin]

You just changed This old mans life! Perfect how to, so well explained, such calm back ground music, your the best! My family thinks I am a genius carpenter thanks to you!

[surfingforinfo]

I like how your just so straight forward, simplistic and pleasant, not excessive or try to be entertaining like so many of these vids. I love learning from other peoples mistakes and learning from their light bulb moments. This is so much less intimidating to tackle!! ty

[heatherdyer]

I've watched other videos on doing this but they all made me say "what?" Lol this video makes so much sense and makes it look like 100x easier. Thanks for sharing.

[anitaking]

I’ve been waiting to buy tools so I can try making this exact drawer and yesterday my husband and I made a drawer by following Ana’s instructions! It was easy but took us some time because we had to put a table saw together and buy some wood. We also watched Ana’s video on how to use the Ryobi nail gun which was sooo helpful . Ryobi should be very grateful for Ana’s work because she is why I bought the nail gun and also made the drawer. Cant wait to make more!

[robf]

I was about to give up trying to repair a broken drawer in our bathroom.After 6 videos that were overkill. I found yours Thank You for sharing and making it easy to follow. I’m 72 years old and still learning from you guys. I added new drawer slides and built a new drawer and it works perfectly.
Thank You both
Robert

[emilolguin]

Instead of driving a small pin nail into the face of the drawer head, try using 3m double stick tape. Same idea, except sandwich the tape between the drawer head and the drawer. It definitely holds the drawer head long enough to drill from behind and will compress when you tighten the screw from within the drawer. I use two 1" to 1-1/2" pieces of tape, one on either end at approx. where I'll drive the screw. The screws on the drawer pulls will further compress the tape.

[trampis]

I love this! As a novice woodworker I have always struggled with drawers and mounting slides. This is a no nonsense (and frankly common sense) way of doing it! Thank you for posting!

[neilvorano]

I really enjoy your videos, thank you. I appreciate that there's none of the flash or intros or anything, it just gets right to the point of good woodworking. I have really learned a lot.

[ivxkvne]

Anna, you are my hero. I’m not overstating how your videos have been helpful and encouraging to me. I’m doing DIYs that I wouldn’t have thought was possible for me to do before. Thank you.

[peggyhiggins]

Ana, you make it look so easy! I also wanted to tell you that my youngest son built me the exact rustic coffee table I've wanted for about a year. He found the plans on your website and gave it to me for Christmas! He is a police officer with no woodworking experience but started following you (mom's suggestion) as a stress buster from work. Thank you so much💕

[shopart]

In our cabinet shop we rabbit the drawer bottom in without glue. Also we use a quick and easy way to install the drawer front by using double face tape to hold it while screwing it in place. You always make great videos with neat ideas, keep up the great work!!

[diycardboardcreation]

I am always doing a lot of DIY at home and as such use YouTube a a lot. I've watched lots of videos on this subject to help me with my project. This is the most informative and to the point. It's always a good feeling when you find a video that doesn't waffle pointlessly and gives you the content that you need. Thank you and Well done.

[StoneMountain]

Brilliant! You're teaching applied engineering statics; 1:50 minutes in "I like to mount the drawer slide about where the handle is so you're pulling right where it slides." My trepidation with drawers and their slides is over. I am looking forward to watching your other videos. Thank you.

[deelirious]

I love how you think outside the box, beyond how it is supposed to be done and I thank you for sharing it with us. You are truly a role model.🥰