Description of drawer guides

There are always high requirements for furniture - in addition to ideal external qualities, it must be comfortable, functional and of high quality. Modern fittings and component materials satisfy all your wishes. Retractable fittings are one of the elements of convenience and comfort. Drawer guides are installed in any furniture where there are modules and movable structures.

Types of guides for drawers

At the moment, furniture is equipped with ball and roller mechanisms, which differ in modifications, designs, types of fastening, dimensions and degree of extension.

Types of telescopic mechanisms:

• ball;
• roller;
• with clamps;
• bottom mounting;
• with closers;
• full extension;
• reverse action;
• metaboxes;
• tandemboxes.

Reverse action

A similar design of furniture fittings is almost identical to the mechanism with a door closer. The only difference is that the drawer needs to be guided when pressed.

An important advantage of reverse action mechanisms is the ability not to use handles on furniture facades.

Concealed installation

In modern furniture design, hidden guides with a closer and damper are very popular. The latter provides silent, smooth closing, absorbs excess forces applied during the closing of the box. Such mechanisms are hidden from view under the bottom of the box, which allows you to create the visual effect of detail floating in space.

Basic qualities:

• aesthetics;
• reliability;
• high quality;
• convenience and comfort.

Concealed rails are used in the production of expensive and luxury furniture made of natural wood.

Ballpoint

Due to its high performance indicators, this type of system is in great demand. Ball guides can be full extension and partial. Their difference is silent, smooth running.

The mechanism of operation of telescopic guides for drawers is in the interaction:

• narrow tires inside (carriages);
• a large number of steel balls in special puzzles (separators);
• moves along the rail.

The carriage with the help of a separator extends along the rail outside the body.

Advantages of the ball retractable mechanism:

1. Long service life: standard and premium class withstands from 50 to 100 thousand operating cycles.
2. Some modifications have a carrying capacity of up to 50 kg.
3. There is minimal or no backlash while driving.

Some models of ball systems are used as hidden guides. The mechanisms can be equipped with closers and shock absorbers, which soften a quiet, stable ride. Telescopic guides in tandem with a door closer are used to make furniture of increased comfort. These devices are used in the manufacture of office and kitchen furniture, as well as pull-out panels and shelves.

Roller

Effective and inexpensive mechanisms that are most often used in the manufacture of economy class furniture. The roller rails are suitable for furniture structures with a depth of 250-600 mm and can withstand loads from 10 to 25 kg. They are good not only in drawers, but also for roll-out shelves and other mobile elements.

Roller systems are available in full or partial extension versions. They can also be equipped with door closers. Automatic closing of the drawers increases the class of fittings and allows them to be used for the manufacture of prestigious furniture.

Advantages of roller guides:

1. Maximum reliability.
2. Affordable prices.
3. Wide range of sizes.
4. Quick removal of boxes from the table body.
5. Wide range of applications.

With a closer

A damper and closer system is built into the guides, which contributes to the smooth and silent closing of the drawer. The closer picks up the piece of furniture in the extreme position, and then smoothly closes. Any impact is well cushioned.

Such a system is capable of carrying enormous loads, which distinguishes it from similar structures of other types. It is characterized by a high level of reliability and is very popular among furniture makers.

Tandemboxes and Metaboxes

Similar names refer to Blum fittings (bloom). However, the Hatich and Boyard systems are in no less demand. Their main advantage is that they can withstand heavy loads, have excellent performance and excellent design.

Peculiarities:

1. The guide is located inside the side metal wall.
2. Complete with damper and door closer.

Metaboxes are advanced pull-out systems with improved performance. The roller guides, which are an integral part of the drawer, are made up of metal sides and fixing rails. Excellent quality allows them to be used for the manufacture of kitchens, office and commercial furniture.

Metaboxes, supplemented with rails and door closers, allow them to be used in constructions for high-quality and respectable furniture. However, the cost of such systems is quite high.

Full extension

The system is based on a ball bearing. Thanks to their design features, the full extension runners ensure full and smooth opening of the drawer. However, the operation of such a system requires more effort than a roller one.

A wide variety of full extension slide systems allows them to be used for different degrees of stress.

It should be noted that the installation of such accessories must be very careful. Failure to do so could damage the bearing and shorten the life of the slideways.

How to choose drawer guides

Modern manufacturers produce guides tailored to every taste and financial capability. The choice entirely depends on the requirements and capabilities of the consumer himself. When choosing, you should pay attention to the size and weight load, and then take into account the degree of convenience, comfort, aesthetics and financial capabilities.

Which guides are best for drawers

Roller guides are the most demanded. They have the following advantages:

1. They are easy to install and do not require numerous holes for fastening.
2. Provide smooth movement.
3. They do not need lubricating pastes and other formulations.
4. They differ in affordable prices and high quality.

Ball guides can withstand heavy loads, are smoother, and can be equipped with closers and dampers. They vary in the degree of extension and the size of the structures. Even large items can be stored in these boxes.

The minimum metal thickness of the hardware must be at least 1.2 mm.

Modern tandemboxes are quite specific in terms of installation, therefore, in this case, they most often resort to the help of specialists.

How to attach the guides correctly

The principle of fastening runners to the sidewalls of the curbstone is practically the same in all systems. 2 mm retreat from the front edge and fittings are screwed along the installation holes and several central ones.

Only the calculation of the mounting height of the slide is changed:

1. Along the bottom edge - budget roller guides, which are mounted under the bottom of the box with an overlap on fiberboard. However, the most expensive tandemboxes are also installed at the lower level.
2. In the central part of the sidewall of the box - telescopic ball systems can be attached to any level of the sidewall of the box. Their installation and adjustment is much easier.
3. Top-mounted - for metaboxes, roller guide runners are located at the top level. Drawers are installed at the bottom of the chest of drawers. The facades on the boxes are mounted after the assembly is completed and the system has been tested. The facade is fixed with self-tapping screws from the inside, the handles are installed after fixing it.

The most accurate marking when installing the guides will avoid skewing boxes and other problems during the assembly process. Therefore, using a level and a pencil, mark all holes and attachment lines. Do not neglect the instruction - it will greatly facilitate the task and save you from mistakes.

For assembly, you will need tools: a screwdriver, tape measure, pencil, pliers, hammer. On the drawn lines of attachment to the body, one part of the guides is mounted using a screwdriver, and the other part is attached to the sides of the box. Then carefully insert the box into the body fittings and fix it with screws. It is better to recess them as much as possible so that the hats do not interfere with the operation of the retractable mechanism.

If the guide rails are screwed on the same level strictly opposite and the drawer is not skewed during the extension process, then everything is assembled correctly. It is also very important to mark the position of the drawer fronts with a pencil on the end of the case in order to have a visual representation as a whole.

If the guides are non-separable, then first they are attached to the inner side walls of the cabinet, and then directly to the boxes. In the case of collapsible mechanisms, you can assemble in any convenient order.

Telescopic guides are very reliable and durable as they are made of strong steel. In order for the system to serve for a long time, it is important to accurately calculate the dimensions and load, correctly assemble and install, and also use it carefully and carefully.

Video: how to choose a drawer slide mechanism