When a business is selling or promoting any kind of structural furnishing or installation with drawers, drawer slides are essential. The quality of this "joining material" is critical for establishing functionality in the cabinets and other furniture that clients will use in homes, offices or other facilities. Lots of consumers know about the danger of messing with sub-par drawer slides equipment, where repair becomes a real hassle.

Businesses wanting to find specific kinds of quality cabinet or kitchen drawer slides for their projects can take a look on the web to get the whole picture of what's available to commercial buyers online. With a few clicks of the mouse, business leaders can take in all of the drawer slides types and styles that are popular on the market:

1. For residential or commercial furniture installations, where buyers might select a specialized product from drawer slide distributors according to price, material compatibility and/or size.

2. For a variety of medical and emergency equipment, where weight ratings and heavy fused materials may be a necessity for products from drawer slide suppliers.

3. For authentic wood-crafted furnishings, where wooden drawer slides are used to maintain authenticity in craftsmanship.

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Find common drawer slides for furnishing projects

One of the main types of products out there from drawer slide manufacturers are composed of either metal and plastic, and made in specific rolling sizes, with all of the hardware for neat installation. Buyers can find the specific sized and materials they need for a large installation or project.

I recommend: Browse the Aubuchon Hardware catalog online for 16, 18, 22-inch or other common "household" or standard drawer slides sizes, in thin metal construction, with plastic accessories, in a variety of models. Get more standard drawer slide information and models from sites like Rockler.

Locate high grade metal drawer slides

For other projects, including equipment for municipal use, emergency equipment or security items, businesses will be looking for the kind of durable drawer slides that will stand up to pressure and stand the tests of time. Online vendors show weight ratings and more for assurance of quality and solvency for big jobs.

I recommend: At GSF Slides, heavy duty steel drawer slides are on display; many rated for high pressures and made to fit the bill for medical, first response and other kinds of installations. Get more heavy duty drawer slides from Lock and Hinge.

Get wooden drawer slides

Then there are wooden drawer slides for wood working projects and older-style traditional installations. Wood shops sell these online as well, with product descriptions that will help buyers figure out just what they need.

I recommend: Check out this visual tutorial from WoodGear Woodworking for hardwood drawer slides on hardwood drawers, for a look at how some businesses might do alternatives to the usual types of drawer slide supplier products you see in most commercial applications. Find more pictures and info on wooden drawer slide models for sale to quality craftspeople at Constantine's Wood Center.

Drawer slides come in pairs, one at either side of a pullout drawer. When installed and loaded appropriately, they allow a drawer to open and close easily. A drawer slide consists of a guide or track attached to each side of a cabinet, and bearings or rollers attached to a drawer.

Drawer slides come in various grades and types to withstand a range of load tolerances and application requirements. Heavy duty drawer slides are usually composed of stainless or plated cold-rolled steel, or of certain treated aluminums. Alternatively, a drawer slide manufacturer will often produce light duty drawer slides, like some kitchen cabinet drawer slides, from plastic.

Below are 3 main categories of drawer slides and their capabilities:

1. Heavy duty drawer slides serve shop and industrial applications and handle loads in excess of 200 pounds.

2. Full extension drawer slides use telescopic mechanisms so that drawers can fully extend out from cabinets. These types have a typical load capacity of about 100 pounds, but sometimes much more.

3. Light duty drawer slides serve domestic and commercial applications. Their load capacities are less than 100 pounds, and, in the case of plastic, less than 50 pounds.

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Buy heavy duty drawer slides from drawer slide manufacturers and drawer slide suppliers

Industrial and shop applications involve heavy tools and components that require sturdy drawer guides to hold them up. The bearing or rollers in heavy duty situations must also be able to operate smoothly, even under heavy loads. Full extension drawer slides are also important in the industrial, shop and automotive sectors. For instance, automotive tool drawers fully extend to allow mechanics to see every tool in a drawer without rummaging around.

I recommend: If you are looking for low drawer slide pricing, The Hardwarehouse carries a nice selection of wholesale drawer slides, including heavy duty full extension drawer slides. Jonathan Engineered Solutions carries a wide range of products and specifications for light, medium and heavy duty applications.

Find kitchen drawer slides from quality drawer slide distributors

Domestic and light commercial applications usually require lighter duty drawer slide composition and smaller sizes as well. You'll want to find a drawer slide supplier that carries a wide selection of light duty parts. There is no sense in overdoing it with heavier duty products, because this will translate to overspending.

I recommend: USA Cabinet Hardware has a huge selection of drawer slides for cabinets and furniture. You may well find what you are looking for there. However, Woodworker's Hardware is another good place to look. They not only carry drawer slides, but also a wide range of drawers and cabinet products.

Repair your drawer slides

Sometimes the repeated in-and-out motions and the hard openings and closings of drawers lead to disrepair of drawer slides. If your slides are not working smoothly, start by simply checking to see that all the screws are tight. A couple turns of a screw driver is sometime all it takes. Other times, especially on light duty slides, the tracks or guides are bent. Try using pliers to realign the parts. Sometimes, however, you will have to replace a slide or parts.

I recommend: If you need to replace one or more drawer slides, start with Unique Drawer Boxes, which helps you locate new and replacement parts. Moore Industrial Hardware is yet another resource to help cover the range of heavy duty applications. If parts other than your slides are causing problems, take a look at Swisco's website. They carry a range of replacement drawer hardware.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some drawer slides have self-closing mechanisms, which glide a drawer shut once you let go.

Because drawers are a common feature in any business facility, it is important for contractors to know information on installation and maintenance for drawer slides. While information can be obtained from drawer slide distributors, drawer slide suppliers, drawer slide manufacturers or by reading product instructions, tips from other experts will prove helpful. Contractors will need to know the following important steps when dealing with drawers:

1. Installation of cabinet drawer slides

2. Drawer slide maintenance techniques

3. Drawer slide information on repairs

Drawer slides make new and existing drawers open and close smoothly. Drawer slides are available in various size and weight capacities, so finding one to suit your application is guaranteed. Since the slides are not visible unless the drawer is open, they are a choice option for superb drawer performance.

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Learn to install drawer slides

Homes and businesses are full of drawers. A builder, by learning to install furniture, cabinet or kitchen drawer slides, will quickly produce a smoothly working product. When remodeling existing buildings, installing a drawer slide is one way to detour or detract problems. Buy drawer slides that are appropriate for the application. Special heavy duty drawer slides are available for industrial needs, while smaller drawer slides would be more appropriate for kitchen, bathroom and small storage uses. Drawer slides can attach to the insides of cabinets or to the sides of drawers or they can be centrally mounted underneath drawers.

I recommend: This instructional video at Fliiby teaches how to install drawer slides. The COOL house plans company explores installation of a variety of types and styles of drawer slides.

Learn to maintain drawer slides

Periodic checking and maintenance of the slides can detour drawer operation aggravations. For a solid hardwood slide, wax the runners routinely to maintain smooth and consistent drawer function. Also check for and tighten loose screws. Replace loose screws that won't tighten with larger ones or drill new holes for a secure hold. Clean the rollers and ensure the drawer itself is square. Well maintained fixtures are sure to last.

I recommend: Being active on this forum at DoItYourself.com, you can discover helpful drawer slide maintenance tips or help others in need of assistance. Ron Hazelton Productions - Do It Yourself Home Improvement shares photos and tips on drawer maintenance.

Learn to repair drawer slides

Repetitive use or age can lead to a drawer slide needing to be repaired. In some cases, misuse, like weight on the drawer being too much for the installed slide, causes the slide to bend or break. Sometimes this is as easy as reshaping them with a pair of pliers. At times, upon inspection, you will find that a drawer needing repair simply needs a mounting screw tightened or reinstalled if it has fallen out. Consider replacing drawer slides that are worn or have been too damaged.

I recommend: The Natural Handyman assists with the process of repairing cabinet drawer slides that have been damaged. Extreme How-To helps you with a step-by-step guide to replacing kitchen drawer slides using pictures to aid the process.

If you own a construction company or an automotive shop, chances are you have many drawers that are filled with things that you use every day. But when your drawers start to stick or a customer asks what type of drawer slides would be best, do you know how to answer them or fix your drawer? If you don't, take some time to learn and memorize a few drawer slide key terms to keep you (and your drawers) from getting stuck.

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Wooden drawer slides

A wooden drawer slide is a drawer slide that is made out of solid wood, like beech or maple wood, instead of metal or plastic. It's typically a center mount drawer slide, which means you attach it to the middle of the bottom of the drawer.

I recommend: Rockler Companies has a picture of what their wooden drawer slide looks like.

Heavy duty

Heavy duty drawer slides are the toughest type of drawer slide you can purchase. These types of drawer slides can withstand a load ranging from 140 to 240 pounds, including the weight of the drawer itself. These types of drawer slides would most likely be found on drawers that need to hold heavy tools or construction equipment.

I recommend: At Jonathan Engineered Solutions, you can see pictures of heavy duty drawer slides and get specifications for them.

Full extension

A full extension drawer slide lets the drawer come all the way out so that the person looking for something isn't blindly reaching towards the back of the drawer. These drawer slides are made of metal, because they are used frequently in automotive shops.

I recommend: Head on over to the website called DrawerSlides.com to see what a full extension stainless steel drawer slide looks like and what kind of specifications it has.

Light duty

Light duty drawer slides are the most common types of drawer slides used in kitchens or on vanity drawers. These types of drawer slides can hold anywhere from 50 to 100 pounds, including the weight of the drawer.

I recommend: You can visit USA Cabinet Hardware to see images of a light duty drawer slide that can hold up to 35 pounds.

Medium duty

A medium duty drawer slide can hold a drawer and it's contents that weigh about 100 to 150 pounds. These types of drawer slides are usually side mounted, which means they are attached to either side of the drawer.

I recommend: Surf on over to the website for Castersupply to see a picture of a medium duty drawer slide.

Self-closing mechanisms

A drawer slide with a self-closing mechanism means that when you let go of the drawer, it will continue to glide closed without any more work for you. When you compare that to a wooden drawer slide, which requires you to actually push the drawer fully closed, it's a real time saver!

I recommend: The GSlide Corporation offers ball bearing drawer slides with self-closing mechanisms.