Drawer Slide Installation Tips: Avoid these mistakes!

I have some drawer slide installation tips for you: I’ve installed some drawer slides over the years but recently made some mistakes that made me learn a few things which I share with you.

#drawerslides #drawers #cabinetmaking

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[JohnDoe-hu]

Respect! Willing to share mistakes to let your viewers have a 20/20 view.

[Peter]

I appreciate videos featuring mistakes and their prevention and remediation!

[davebarlow]

Pointing out mistakes and how they can be rectified is a big help. Thanks for the video.

[jonnygunner]

Great, no nonsense advice there 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[garymaxfield]

I've recently experienced the same problem, I ran the complete drawer thru the table saw and took a small slice (width of blade) off the drawer, set blade high enough for drawer side, worked great.

[jimbo]

I’m just about to start. Exellent video. I would have made all three mistakes probably. Better than watching a slick video where no problems are encountered or difficulty emphasised.

[grantgp]

The advice at the end about the spacing of 2 or 3 mm is really helpful as this is my first time I am using these types of drawer slides. Thanks

[garypeluso]

Thanks for sharing. I built a cabinet that will have drawers for my camper van and I'm about to install the slides.

[duncan]

This may be the best drawer building video on YouTube. Very good information

[LachlanBotticchio]

The extra 2mm on each slide should be a no brainer but has helped me immensly! :) Many Thanks!

[charlesschiele]

Incredibly helpful, simple, and clear. Thank you!

[Danabcde]

Thank you for sharing your mistakes. We learn the most from our mistakes.

[RDMesewicz]

I have built hundreds! of drawers. Absolute key is all measurements in mm ! Cabinet hardware is manufactured in metric sizes. Sorry US folks. The ah ha moment for me was a large set of drawers (36" wide) that was full of heavy dishes. It just wouldn't close perfectly (soft close slides). Slide manufacturer Rep stopped by to assist and measured the opening and checked the drawer was square - yes. Then he said, "Did you measure the opening & build the drawers in mm??" Nope. "Well that's the problem. Imperial to metric doesn't translate exactly, can easily be off 1/16+. Just enough for a headache with heavy drawers." From that moment on, I measure the cabinet opening and build the drawers from mm measurements. Perfect every time. Yes. when in doubt, make the drawer smaller and add shim. To further help, make a quick spread sheet that allows you to change drawer opening & slide parameters and calculates the drawer sizes for you. This really helps with math errors which is easy to do with multiple drawers being constructed at one time.

[baronvontrap]

Another top notch video. As always full of useful info without any padding. Looking forward to the next one. Thanks for posting!

[mergalinpillay]

I fully appreciate your candor. Wished I had read your post earlier.am a newbie and was at my wits end, trying to fit drawer.

[EMO-ru]

Great information. And the comments section is on point with also great information. Many thanks.

[peters]

ive generally found 27mm slide allowance to be about right

[MrJakebahr]

AFter just installing about 16 drawers with glides just likes these, I totally agree with you! I wish I had watched your video before ordering the new drawer boxes because I too found that providing a cabinet that is slighter larger than just 1" than the drawer box is much better. I had to widen the vertical face frames on about 6 of my drawers by planing the vertical styles. ugh!

[buzzpatch]

having experienced this-- your video and tips are right on
and thanks for the reminder

[igotnoluck]

Thanks for the helpful advice. I just finished a project where these tips would be perfect.