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Modern furniture has distinctive advantages, one of which is the presence of retractable systems. Drawer guides ensure easy and convenient operation of the elements. Products are presented in a wide variety of species. Each type has its own strengths and weaknesses. This article will help you figure out how to choose high-quality guides and how to install them correctly to ensure the longevity of the furniture.
Guides provide the best stability of the retractable systems and ease of use
Types of drawer guides and methods for installing them
The guides are represented by a special mechanism consisting of two main parts, one of which is attached to the drawer, and the other to the side wall of the furniture. Limiters and locking parts made of metal or plastic can act as auxiliary elements. Depending on the type of movement of the two plates, ball and roller guides are distinguished.
Ball guides are more technologically advanced, high quality and durable
Among the new hardware for drawers, one can highlight metaboxes and tandemboxes, which are represented by ready-made structures with metal walls with built-in ball or roller guides.
The runners, depending on the type of guides, can be attached to the bottom edge, top or central part of the side of the drawer. The first option is the simplest. It is used for roller mechanisms that are fixed near the very bottom of the box. This method is also typical for tandem boxes, which are mounted in the lower level of the box.
Ball runners for drawers can be installed anywhere on the side of this element. However, their central position is considered the best option, which greatly simplifies installation and subsequent adjustment of the system. Metaboxes are attached exclusively to the top level.
Installation of retractable mechanisms
Almost anyone can assemble furniture themselves. The main thing is to correctly develop a design drawing and purchase all the components at the development stage. Assembling a drawer is also not an insoluble problem, and you do not need to seek the help of professionals.
General rules
Pull-out furniture fittings - drawer guides and fastenings - are usually sold in sets. To install them correctly, you need to follow simple rules:
- You need to choose fittings at the stage of developing a furniture project. It should be remembered that all mechanisms have their own dimensions that must be taken into account;
- When installing the mechanism, clear markings for fastenings must be carried out. A discrepancy between the holes for fastenings and the prepared ones can lead to incorrect operation of the entire structure;
- The retractable fittings are secured with several bolts, which are tightened as much as possible, that is, you should not immediately tighten one bolt, and then another and a third. It would be more correct to tighten all the bolts a little and only then gradually tighten the fasteners until they stop. If this rule is neglected, the retractable mechanism may be skewed, which will lead to its inoperability;
- furniture pull-out fittings - guides for drawers - are equipped with adjusting bolts, with which you can correct small distortions and various gaps between the drawer and the base.
Installation using the example of a ball mechanism
Let's consider the process of installing ball or telescopic retractable fittings. The whole process is divided into several stages:
- After purchasing furniture fittings, the guides, which consist of two parts, need to be separated. To do this, you need to lightly pull the antennae on the device. One part of the structure will subsequently be attached to the box, and the other to the inside of the furniture;
Antennae for disassembling the structure and disassembled retractable mechanism
- markings are made for attaching the mechanism to the walls of the box and the inside of the furniture;
Applying markings for attaching guides
- At the fastening points, holes are made using a drill, the diameter of which is equal to the diameter of the fastening elements;
Drilling holes for mounting
- according to the rule written above, screw in the bolts that are supplied with the mechanism and are intended for attaching the device to furniture;
Fastening the guides
- the box is inserted into the intended place;
- if necessary, for example, if there are unequal gaps between the drawer and the furniture body, the retractable mechanism is adjusted using the bolts provided by the design.
Bolts for fixation and adjustment provided by the mechanism design
You can watch the process more clearly in the video tutorial.
Guide options equipped with additional elements
The structures can be additionally equipped with closers and dampers. The first element is used to smoothly close the drawer. It is activated at a certain moment. Dampers promote smooth and silent closing. They act as a shock absorber if excessive force was applied to the box during its closing. Guides for drawers with closers are characterized by a high level of reliability, the ability to withstand significant loads, durability and ease of use.
The guides have a high degree of reliability, providing soft, silent and smooth closing of the drawer
There are models of furniture guides for reverse-action drawers. Such fittings are similar to the option that is equipped with a closer. The difference is that when you press the front of the drawer, it opens. Retractable structures with such a system are not equipped with handles, which has a beneficial effect on the aesthetic appearance of the furniture.
Guides for hidden-mounted drawers, which can be equipped with closers and reverse-action elements, are very popular among consumers. They are mounted under the bottom, creating the effect of the structure floating in the air. The fittings have a high degree of reliability, providing soft, silent and smooth closing of the drawer.
What furniture fittings are needed for a chest of drawers and wardrobes?
Roller guides. The simplest and cheapest type of guides. They cannot provide sufficient load-bearing capacity for large boxes, but they are quite practical and are widely used to equip in-line office furniture and inexpensive serial furniture for the home.
Ball (telescopic) guides. The advantages of telescopic guides include a large load capacity and the ability to ensure full extension of the drawer (roller guides do not extend the drawer all the way, leaving approximately 10-15 cm of internal space under the tabletop, which is not always enough for a full view).
Guides “metaboxes” (metalboxes). Unlike the first two types of guides, the metabox extension system is offered with ready-made metal side walls of a given height (86 mm, 118 mm or 150 mm) and is designed for the installation of a bottom and back made of chipboard. The advantage is obvious: greater load-bearing capacity of the box. Often installed in kitchen cabinets with drawers, chests of drawers, etc.
Expensive extension systems. If you are planning to make drawers in a chest of drawers without a handle, opening by pressing or with closers, smooth automatic closing, immediately decide on the type of drawer system. The fact is that the drawer parts are calculated for them in completely different ways, some require additional modification of the box (a balancing system is installed at the back of the drawer so that the facade is “sensitive” to pressure anywhere and does not warp during movement).
Furniture hinges. They are selected according to the type of facade; they can be internal, overhead, corner, with or without closers, with bowls of different sizes. You can read more about the types of furniture hinges and their purpose here.
Handles and other decorative fittings for chests of drawers and cabinets. When choosing handles, it is important to relate the size of the “base” (the distance between the mounting posts) to the width and length of the facade. For example, in corner kitchens it often turns out that the handle “prevents” the corner module from opening or its end rests against the adjacent facade when opened. Installing a mortise handle can cause some difficulty for a beginner - soberly assess your capabilities and the availability of the tool.
Footrests and legs. Furniture on the base box is installed on ordinary bearings - a plastic gasket between the floor and the end of the sidewall protects the chipboard from swelling (wet cleaning is carried out everywhere, do not forget about this). Also on sale are adjustable thrust bearings that help adjust the height of tables and cabinets on uneven floors.
Here, in general, are all the accessories that you may need to make furniture with your own hands of a simple design. Also, upon completion of assembly, you will need plastic or self-adhesive plugs for confirmations in the color of the chipboard, furniture wax to hide defects, if any are discovered/made during the process of assembling furniture with your own hands. I also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the list of drills required for drilling parts for various types of fasteners. It is better to have one or two copies on hand:
- Cross bit (for tightening screws).
- Hexagonal nozzle (for tightening confirmations).
- Drills with a diameter of 5 mm, 8 mm, confirmation, a thin awl and a marker for marking.
Characteristics of ball guides for drawers
In ball, or telescopic, drawer guides, the movement of the component elements occurs thanks to metal balls that move inside the profile. Such systems ensure easy sliding of drawers of any size, made of various materials. These are high-quality, technologically advanced and durable mechanisms. They can easily withstand significant loads, which can reach 60 kg, without undergoing deformation changes.
Important! For furniture structures intended to store heavy objects, ball guides should be installed.
The design of ball guides is simple, and the mechanism itself consists of several main and a number of auxiliary parts
These mechanisms operate almost silently and facilitate full drawer extension. The systems are characterized by the best operating stability and ease of use. They can be installed in any plane. Such metal retractable devices are characterized by a long service life. The main disadvantage of ball systems is their high cost. You can buy a pair of guides for 300-400 rubles.
The mechanisms are presented in various modifications. The products differ in design, method of fastening, degree of extension and size. Ball guides for drawers have heights from 17 to 45 mm. The maximum size is the most popular because in this case the device can withstand the maximum load. All models can be divided into collapsible and non-collapsible, two-section and multi-section, single and multi-level. There are ball guides for drawers with closers.
Features of roller guides for sliding cabinets
Roller guides for drawers are metal profiles with rollers attached to them. Such retractable systems are a budget option. The price of guides for drawers is 50-100 rubles. (per couple). They have a simple design and are easy to install. The sliding of the runners is carried out as a result of the rotation of special rollers made of nylon or plastic. When the drawer is pulled out, a characteristic noise is created. To reduce it, you should use rubberized rollers.
The action of the guides is based on the mutual movement of durable steel tracks that make up the tire
Skids are made of plastic or metal. The top of the product is coated with durable epoxy resin. Plastic drawer guides have a shorter service life and lower cost. They may have different colors. Roller guides can withstand loads of up to 25 kg. They are available in a wide range of sizes, where you can choose a product for boxes with a depth of 250-800 mm.
Helpful advice! To ensure that the guides last as long as possible, you should choose products with a thickness of at least 1.2 mm.
Roller mechanisms ensure partial extension of the drawer. The rollers quickly wear out and become loose, resulting in distortions in the structure. In this case, the drawer will gradually jam, and subsequently it will not come out at all. If installed incorrectly, the system quickly fails. It is very important to carry out the markings accurately before installing the device. During operation, the rollers are difficult to adjust.
Metaboxes: a type of roller guides for a drawer
Metaboxes are a type of roller retractable system. They are represented by drawers with metal side guides, and rollers are attached to the walls of the furniture. Such systems of drawers provide incomplete extension of the structure by ¾ of the length. They are characterized by durability and reliability in operation. Metaboxes have standard sizes. Drawer guides are made of thin, durable sheet steel, which can be painted white or metallic. The rollers are made of plastic.
Metabox system guides are coated with impact-resistant or epoxy enamel, which is not so easy to chip
Important! The mechanism is fastened at several points, which guarantees a reliable position of the structure and eliminates the possibility of any swinging.
Metaboxes can support a weight of 10-20 kg. The smaller the box dimensions, the greater the permissible load. The mechanisms are available in heights of 54, 86, 118 and 150 mm. To increase this value, rails are used. To ensure smooth closing of the metabox, it can be equipped with a closer. You can buy devices for 300-500 rubles.
Metaboxes have many advantages over other guide options. Thanks to the presence of thin metal side walls, the capacity and strength of the box increase. The design has a rather thick bottom, which is made of chipboard, which enhances the load-bearing capacity of the product.
Metaboxes are easy to install. They do not require the production of separate sidewalls to which the guides are attached. This system provides for convenient adjustment of the facade fastening, so that the front wall can be aligned evenly relative to the furniture body. Unlike roller systems that are fixed to the bottom of the box walls, metabox guides are attached to the top half of the products, which makes the box easy to use and does not wobble in different directions.
Problems with the operation of metaboxes arise due to incorrect calculation and installation
Tandemboxes: hidden guides for drawers
The basis of tandemboxes are ball retractable systems. The bottom of the structure is made of thick chipboard, and the side walls are made of metal or glass. Ball guides are hidden in them. Hidden runner technology ensures smooth, silent movement of loaded boxes. They can be easily removed from the guides without the use of tools.
Tandem provides full or partial opening of the drawer. The side walls can be represented by a system of guides for a drawer with a closer. The products can withstand loads of up to 60 kg. This is the most suitable option for furniture with high sides. The cost of a tandembox is 1000-1500 rubles. for a couple.
Modern expensive models are equipped with the TIP-ON function, which allows you to open the drawer by lightly pressing the front. The hidden drawer mechanism is attached to the underside of the bottom. The guides differ from conventional devices by the presence of a small protrusion with a cylindrical pin located on the side. It hooks onto the hidden TIP-ON mechanism. The cost of such electric drive systems starts from 2,500 rubles.
Tandembox guides are the most expensive and technically complex segment in the line of drawer guides
The mechanisms are produced with drawer heights of 68 and 83 mm. Each set consists of two side walls, two guides, decorative caps, holders for the back wall and fastenings for the facade.
Helpful advice! Tandemboxes can be used as a sink cabinet. A cutout in the bottom allows you to bypass the protruding part of the plumbing fixture.
For comfortable and rational use of corner space, the ideal solution is tandembox guides for corner cabinets. The fittings set consists of specific elements that are not found in other systems. Such models can additionally be equipped with special dividers that help structure the space for storing items.
Roller guides
Drawer extension in this type of guides is only possible incompletely, but their cost is several times lower than that of ball-type ones. Roller guides create noise when opening the drawer; to eliminate this effect, rubber-coated rollers should be used.
Roller guides can withstand dynamic loads of up to 25 kg.
The load that the roller guides can withstand is 25 kg. When choosing roller guides, it is important to take into account their thickness: in order for them to serve for a long time, it should be from 1.2 mm.
Roller guides are partial extension guides.
Review of popular manufacturers of metaboxes and tandemboxes
These retractable systems have become widespread. They provide ease of use of boxes, which, thanks to thin metal walls, are distinguished by good capacity, optimal load capacity, low weight, no wobbling effect, long service life, high resistance to mechanical stress, and attractive appearance.
Blum tandembox guides have a rather complex design
A number of manufacturers offer high-quality and reliable fittings today. The guides from the Austrian company Blum are in greatest demand. The products are made of high-strength steel, therefore they are characterized by reliability, durability and strength. The main disadvantage is the high cost of such systems.
A wide range of metaboxes and tandem boxes with different sizes of ball guides for drawers is offered by the German company Hettich. Here are models with standard drawers, products of increased height, complemented by longitudinal and transverse rails. The designs, thanks to the presence of metal and glass inserts on the sides of the drawer, are distinguished by a stylish design. Some models are equipped with additional elements for organizing the internal space. Premium furniture systems are equipped with an electric drive, which ensures automatic opening of the drawer after a slight impact on the facade of the product.
The Polish manufacturer Gamet produces high-quality products at an affordable price, which are not equipped with additional elements in the form of closers, dampers and electric drives. Reinforced drawer guides with increased load-bearing capacity are offered by the Chinese manufacturer Linken System at a fairly low price. You can buy the device for only 800 rubles. High-quality and reliable products at an affordable price are manufactured by the Turkish company Samet and the Polish manufacturer GTV.
Hettich tandem boxes are made of high-strength steel, so they are reliable and durable
Characteristics of tandem boxes from the Austrian manufacturer Blum
Tandembox is the most advanced mechanism designed for premium furniture. The products are equipped with telescopic drawer guides, double-walled drawer drawers, back wall holders, decorative plugs and fastenings for the facade. Such systems are manufactured by two manufacturers - Blub and Hettich. Drawer fittings from the Austrian brand are very popular due to their good price-quality ratio.
Related article:
Closers for kitchen cabinets: the key to durable operation of furniture
Product types. Characteristics of lifting mechanisms and overhead options. Installation, adjustment and repair of closers.
Tandemboxes are available in several varieties, but have the same guides. They can be additionally equipped with closers or an opening system that operates when you press on the facade.
Invito models have simple or metal sidewalls supplemented with glass inserts. Antaro tandem boxes are available with classic side elements, with one or two rails that allow you to increase the height of the box. The railings have a square cross-section and are equipped with grooves, so that inserts from different materials can be added to the gaps.
Blum drawer guides from an Austrian company are very popular due to their good price-quality ratio
Tandemboxes with a load-bearing capacity of 30 kg are available in lengths of 270, 350, 400, 450 and 500 mm. Designs for 50 kg differ in dimensions of 450 and 500 mm, and models that can withstand a load of more than 60 kg are characterized by a length of 500 or 650 mm. Double-walled drawers can have a height of 68 and 83 mm, the length corresponding to the size of the guides. The back wall holder can be right or left. It is the same for all systems.
For ease of use of the tandembox, the front panel is often equipped with a simple handle or leash. The first option is used for classic designs, and the second for hidden drawers. A handle with an eccentric helps to integrate the internal element with the front of a standard drawer. Tandem boxes with a width of more than 900 mm are equipped with side stabilizers, which is typical for Invito systems.
Tips for choosing drawer slides
Selecting new drawer slides is an easy task. First of all, you should pay attention to the thickness of the products. The thicker the metal for the guides, the longer the period of their operation will be. For roller systems, the metal should have a thickness of 1-1.2 mm. You should try the product by touch, check the strength, absence of damage, defects, chips, the functioning of the balls or rollers, which should move freely without side play. It is necessary that the guides are level, which will ensure a tight fit to the side walls.
The thicker the metal on the guides, the longer the drawer will function faithfully for many years.
The mechanisms are presented in two versions, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. The roller system is characterized by simplicity of design and low cost. This option is best used for furniture elements that will be rarely used and will not bear significant loads.
Important! Despite the external reliability of the design, which is ensured by metal drawers, the temboxes do not have a high load-bearing capacity.
Ball drawer guides are more reliable and durable. They are able to withstand quite a large load. Among the varieties of products, there are hidden options that are attached not to the side walls, but to the bottom. This mechanism is protected from dirt and provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the retractable product.
Both parts of the guides must have special protrusions that facilitate reliable fixation of the drawer when it is fully extended. This will prevent the structure from falling.
The dimensions of the guides must ideally match the furniture where the drawer will be installed
It is also worth paying attention to the manufacturer. It is better to choose guides from well-known brands that have won the trust of consumers in the manufacture of high-quality, reliable and durable furniture fittings.
If you make furniture yourself, its parameters should be calculated in advance, which will facilitate the correct installation of ball guides for the drawer. The dimensions of the structure should not coincide with the dimensions of the cabinet. It is mandatory to provide a technological gap that will compensate for measurement errors and allow all components to move freely. There should be a distance of 1.3 cm between the side elements, and 1 cm between the rear elements.
The width of the drawer is determined by subtracting from the width of the furniture twice the thickness of its side walls, twice the thickness of the mechanism and twice the gap parameter.
Based on the dimensions of the drawer, the size of the ball runners is selected. The length of the guides should be the same as the depth of the drawer. The minimum value is 200 mm. Standard drawers have a depth of 250-800 mm and a height of 80-250 mm, which should be less than the size of its front panel. This will ensure the free position of items in case of excessive filling of the box.
In order for drawers to function well, you need to take a responsible approach to the choice of guides
Before installing the ball guides for the drawer, markings are made, which must be done as accurately as possible, which will eliminate the possibility of the drawer skewing and other inconveniences during further operation.
Selection of guides
To choose a guide system that will serve for a long time, you first need to pay attention to the thickness of the metal. Especially if these are roller guides.
Roller guides are the simplest guides in terms of design and installation.
This parameter determines how much and how the fittings will work. The ideal thickness is 1-1.2 mm. Having decided to buy a smaller option, there is no guarantee that the drawers will last for a long period.
The roller guides are coated with durable epoxy enamel.
The choice of fittings also involves a preliminary inspection of the product: it is important that the guides are smooth and free of defects.
Be sure to check the rollers or balls, they must function properly.
Installation sequence for ball slides for drawers
To install the system you do not need to have any specific skills. It is enough to study the installation diagram for ball guides for drawers. After the retractable structure is prepared, installation of the system begins, which is done in stages. The kit includes two runners - right and left. Before attaching the ball guides for the drawer, the device is disassembled into its component elements. The wider product is fixed to the side wall of the furniture body, and the narrow element is mounted to the drawer. The runners are installed symmetrically.
The guide is extended all the way. When you press on the long end, a narrow bar is pulled out. The first step is to attach narrow elements to the sides of the retractable structure. Before installing the ball guides for the drawer, a horizontal line is drawn in the central part of the sides along which the rail will be attached. Self-tapping screws of 3x12 or 4x16 mm are used as fasteners, which is determined by the thickness of the metal. Taking into account the location of the box and the guide on it, the sidewalls of the niche are marked for the installation of thick runners, which are also fixed with self-tapping screws.
Installation diagram for drawer guides
The box fits into the guides. The correct installation of the structure will be indicated by a characteristic click of the triggered latch. Next, you should check the free movement of the structure in different directions.
The ball runner system is equipped with many holes, each of which is responsible for a specific function. Horizontal oval-shaped cells are designed for free movement of the telescope in a horizontal position and for its adjustment. Extended vertical holes are used to move the guide up or down. After the drawer slides are installed, the elements are adjusted. Next, the products are thoroughly fixed in certain positions using self-tapping screws.
For lower drawers, the guides are usually installed at a distance of 30 mm from the bottom. For other structures, the mounting location is selected taking into account the height.
To remove the drawer completely from the niche, you should pull it out all the way. Next, you need to press the black tabs on the runners: one of them - up, and the second - down, after which the structure can be freely removed.
Installation of guides can be carried out on the side surfaces of the drawers or in the grooves of the side surfaces
Installation of roller type guides
Before you begin installing the fittings, you must carefully read all the tips for removing and installing the guides. They can be found on the Internet. It is enough to visit specialized sites.
Let's look at the step-by-step assembly of drawer guides:
We attach two guides to the bottom of the drawer. The elements must be positioned so that the roller is located at the back wall, and the other end rests against the facade.
We fix the strip using self-tapping screws, placing them so that their heads are below the surface of the strip.
We attach the remaining pair of guides to the cabinet body. We pre-mark the attachment points with a pencil.
Which drawer guides are best to choose depends on your wishes, the design features of the furniture and your financial capabilities.
If you are choosing guides to replace outdated or broken elements, then it is best to choose similar models.
Whatever variety you need, consider products only from trusted manufacturers, since a well-known brand serves as a guarantee of quality.
How to repair a drawer on ball guides
If, after installing the ball guides for the drawer, the structure moves quite tightly, this indicates an incorrect calculation of the dimensions of the structure or illiterate installation of the runners. In this case, you need to check the width of the product. If necessary, it is worth reducing the front trims. Before starting installation, check the diagonal.
Helpful advice! To ensure free movement of the box, you can spray a couple of drops of special oil on the guides.
If, after installing the drawer guides, the structure slides out spontaneously, in this case, you should check the fixing part of the narrow strip located at the back. There is a bracket that, when closed, goes around the silicone sleeve. This position ensures reliable fixation of the element in the closed position. For a tighter fastening, tighten the bracket.
When inserting a drawer, the bar may become blocked, which is why the product will not fit into the niche, as it will rest against the fastening of the balls. To fix this problem, the box is completely removed and the fasteners are unbent to the sides.
To make the guides move freely, you can sprinkle a couple of drops of special oil on them
Important! To carry out repairs, the structure should be pulled out exactly before disassembling the drawer guides.
If the bottom of the drawer is in a groove, it may pop out when you first load it. It should be reinforced with thin strips or screwed to the bottom ends of the box with self-tapping screws.
