Tips on installing drawer slides?

[Chad Stansbury]

Hello - I'm just now wrapping up my first-ever furniture project (a chest of drawers). However, I am now at the stage where I need to install the (side-mounted) drawer slides... After installing the slides I will be installing the drawer fronts/facades, which I'd like to be flush with the carcass front. I've installed one set of slides so far, and have had less than stellar results (I'm flush on one side, but about 1/8" proud of the carcass on the other side). Does anyone have any tips that might make this process easier?

Thanks in advance, Chad

[Terry Jensen]

Chad, Measure and adjust. Only use a couple of screws in the oblong holes so the slide can be moved. After you get it just right, then put in the rest of the screws. Practice will also make things better. Terry

[Frank Ketchum]

cut a spacers from scraps to use to set each slide to the same height and distance from the back of the cabinet. Mount each side using the same spacers to insure they are mounted exactly the same. There is some adjustment possible after the fact if you only put screws in the long holes at first. Fine tune the slides and then put in the rest of the screws.

good luck frank

[Pounds on Wood]

Are you sure that the drawer, and the carcass bay are square? Incorrectly installed slides could make your drawer do that, but it doesn't sound likely. On the other hand, an out of square drawer will do that and no amount of slide adjustment is going to fix it.

[Chad Stansbury]

Yes, both are square. I installed the second set of drawer slides last night after some more careful alignment and both sides are nice and flush. I'll just have to adjust the first one (after I get done with the remainder since I hate "revisting" things).

Thanks to all for the quick replies...