Drawer Slides Underneath from WoodCentral
Undermount slides (the ones that go on the bottom of a drawer, rather than its sides) are evidently still new enough that they raised some questions for the original poster in this discussion before he attacked his kitchen cabinet project. - Editor
1. "Do you buy the same slides as what goes on the sides or are they "special"?
2. If "special,” do they cost any more or less than traditional slides?
3. Is it any easier to mount them underneath? When mounting traditional slides (i.e.,on the sides), the "wiggle room" is not very forgiving.
4. If you have experience with this methodology, do you have a preference of 1 brand over another.
5. Last Q.....what are these slides called? (If anything different.)” – Terry
The first response was, admittedly, tongue-in-cheek.
“I douse a lot of drawer slides that mount underneath. How much do they cost? About one hour of setup time and about 10-20 minutes per slide thereafter. I make mine out of maple. I do sliding dovetail slides. They mount quite nicely. They also slot into a mortise in the back quite easily.” –JL
JL did go on to say that he has also used Accuride center-mount slides and, in his opinion,
“they install easier than the side-mount slides.”
One respondent suggested that it was possible to use the traditional slides in anunder-drawer mounting.
“You can use traditional slides under drawers provided you design the box accordingly. Not as easy to engage/disengage the drawer, but doable.” – Thomas
This, however, was met with a caution:
“You can use side-mount slides under the drawers but the weight rating drops by about 50%. You need to build the drawer box according to the instructions that come with the slides. Generally this amounts to raising the bottom up a bit in the drawer box and cutting out notches at the back for the slides to fit through.” – Chris
Why go to such trouble? Well, according to poster Bill Hylton, a regular Woodworker’s Journal contributor,
“You'll probably find, if you comparison shop, that undermounts cost as much as 50%more than comparable side-mounts. If you are talking about full-extension slides for kitchen cabinets (that is, 21" slides), you'll pay about $35 to $45per drawer for undermounts.” – Bill
Poster Chris agreed,
“The Blum Tandem Plus ones are awesome, but are very expensive, especially if you get the ones with ‘Blumotion.’”- Chris
Another poster, however, chimed in to cite the value of comparison shopping:
“If you can get the Blumotion ones wholesale, they aren't too bad. I just paid about $26 a pair for 18" with the locking mechanism, probably a little less if Ibought a whole case. They are easy to mount, and I find them a little more forgiving than side mounts.” -
Tom
And another poster expounded further, on price, installation – and aesthetics:
“I used the Blum Tandem slides on the regular drawers (not on the lower large bins- due to mounting costs) when I did our kitchen. They are really, really nice,although they subtract a half-inch from the depth of your drawer. The first drawer took me a bit of time to do, but then the remaining ones went quickly.When I shopped five years ago, Rockler had the best pricing on a 10-pack, or something like that. Seems like they were around $25 apiece. I still love to gently push them closed and watch how smoothly they glide. The drawer detaches very easy as well. I like them also because they don't detract from the nice wood drawer sides; I used maple for the sides.” - Jim
Why Do You Woodwork? From The Wood Whisperer
Much like the question “what is the correct recipe for chili?” the question “why do you woodwork” has as many answers as there are individuals involved. Still, it is a fascinating question, and we’ll highlight here a few of the answers to the question that was posed at the beginning of the discussion.- Editor
“It allows me to star with something pretty simple and find something pretty nice. Art for those of us that can't draw.” - Michael
“The ability to clean out all the outside noise and just focus on you and making this piece(s) of wood take form and be something beautiful that I can share. A way to self express. It’s one of the few activities that the process is just as if not more enjoyable then the end results. Plus what person doesn't like to collect toy....err...tools:-)” - Jason
“It gives me time to myself to hopefully make something useful.”– Nate
“I found you can't golf, fish or play online poker enough tofill all the time I have on my hands. So woodworking seemed the right outlet to round out my day.” - Bill
“It soothes me.” - Rick
“Because I want to be good with my hands again, and woodworking is utilitarian as well as aesthetic.” - Kenneth
“I am not at all a person with complex attachments. Wood is simply good. Wood is always good. I can sit out in my shop and all the stress in the world just melts away.” - Jdog
“I started because of restoring an old house. I realized it was fun and began doing more projects.” - David
“I've worked for 15+ years as a paralegal, the last 12 of which have been at a law firm that specializes in collections, reposession, bankruptcy (from the bank's side) and foreclosures. Everyone is angry, bitter,upset and very, very negative. I needed an outlet that allowed me to feel good about what I'd produced at the end of the day.” - Allen
“I woodwork for the same reason as most other woodworkers. I get to create beautiful, functional pieces of furniture, art and crafts that my family and friends appreciate. I love looking at a stack of rough cherry and about three months later it turns into a family heirloom.” - Mark
“My uncle was a picture frame maker. I was mystified how he could be so precise with his cuts (still am). I loved the atmosphere of his shop and longed to be able to make things that looked so nice. Even though I was not blessed with any of his talent or skill, I still get to make the sawdust and smell the varnish. And, every once in a while, I'll make something that isn't quite so awful-looking, and I'll remember him smiling at me from his workbench.” - Jeff
“I love creating things. I write software for a living, but sometimes, it's just more satisfying to have a physical object as a result of your time and effort. Most any hobby I take up revolves around making things. Woodworking is practical, there is a ton to learn, and I love learning, it's something my wife will let me spend money on, and it's fun, too.” - Benjamin
“1. Because it is rewarding to create something with your hands. Seems to be characteristically a human trait from childhood.
2. Stress relief (except during complex glue-ups).
3. I appreciate fine craftmanship and want to furnish my home with same. Can't afford a $4,000 entry table but can build one with same quality for $200.
4. Can't die until I have the most tools....” - Jerry
“Effort to pleasure ratio is off the charts. I enjoy it much, muchmore than any other thing I know to do, so I do it much, much more than any other thing.” - Bud