Expert: Jamie Yocono - 12/28/2007

Question
I would like to know if I can convert the 40 year old wooden drawers in my kitchen cabinets to mechanical slides.  Currently the drawers run on wooden rails that penetrate 1/4 inch onto each side of the drawers.

The drawer measures 19 1/2 inches long but the cabinet is 23 inches deep so there is about 3 1/2 inches of space at the back of each drawer.  Reading through some of your other posts leads me to believe I need an 18 inch slide (?) but then the part of the slide to be mounted to the cabinet would apparently be too short.

Also, the wooden rail that the drawer currently rides on is 1 1/4 inch wide of which 1/4 inch penetrates into the drawer guide grove. Can I somehow use this extra inch of space on each side to mount a mechanical slide?

Lastly, if I am going to go through the trouble of doing this job I want to get a quality ball bearing slide, full extension,  with integrated snap/soft close.

I appreciate your time and any help you can give even if you recommend something totally different.


Answer
Hi Gary,

I am going to try to help you out, by answering your specific questions.  It sounds like you've read my answer about converting wooden slides to mechanical ones, I'm not sure I have a LOT of extra additional information.

You're correct that you need 18" slides since the drawer measures 19 1/2" long. If you used 20" slides, the part you mount on the drawer box would hang off a half inch. Not that's not to say I haven't seen it done, I have. And you certainly have the additional room to accommodate using a 20" glide. It's just poor craftsmanship to have it hang off, even if it doesn't show. So I'll let you decide, but it sounds like you could use 20" slides.

I'm not sure I understand what you wrote about a 1 1/4" rail penetrating the groove by a 1/4". The only thing that is really important is the difference between the box size and the opening size. You need an inch. Each slide (the left and the right) is a half inch. I think what you're going to want to do (if you have the 1" clearance" ) is try to remove the wooden runner system, so the opening is clear.

Finally, Accuride makes a good quality full extension ball bearing slide. I recommend this brand, I like the one they make that are flat black, rather than with the zinc finish. It's quiet, and heavy duty, and will last for years. Here is a link to a page showing various ball bearing slides, to help you make your decision:

http://www.rockler.com/CategoryView.cfm?Cat_ID=44

One more thing- I just reread your question and saw that these are kitchen drawers. Depending on the cabinet construction (with a face frame, or euro-style) this is going to dictate what sort of slide you might want to use. You might need face frame mounting brackets, if your kitchen has this style cabinet in it.

Also, I was thinking you were asking about a dresser retrofit, but since it's a kitchen, I am assuming there are a fair number of drawers. The ball bearing, full extension glides can be really pricey. Maybe $20 a piece. Ouch. And depending on if you're handy or not, you may really have to do some tweaking to the cabinet opening to make them work.

I suggest you look at a nice quality bottom or side mount glide, perhaps by KV or Grass. These can be bought for about half the cost of the ball bearing slides. I've used them in my kitchens for years, and they're fine. I like the Grass 6600 in particular. I just Googled that and saw quite a few pages and places selling it. One will set you back about $6.50, which is much more affordable than $22.

Just a thought....

Good luck, write back if you need more help,

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com