Drawer Slide Advice . . .

[Christian Van H]

Anyone here install drawers on their boat with those new fangled euro side / bottom mount drawer slides? You know, the self-closing really nice super sweet cushioned ones that look like they might rust one day... All these slides are painted or plated and they feel sooooo good when opening or closing a drawer... but are they yacht safe? My drawers will have latches / catches for keeping them closed so thats not a problem... Thanks, Chris

[CarlF]

I have some Sugatsune stainless slides. Really stainless and lovely feel. Not too expensive if you look around online cabinet hardware shops.

Carl

[anjou]

Nowt wrong with the fancy euro ones. Ive installed loads of them and they dont rust, bust or kick up a fuss

They are powder coated with nylon rollers. If your not sure, you could try the stainless ones with ball bearings used in catering equipment

[Blue Stocking]

What a co-incidence. Just come out of my carpenters shop where I was converting shelves to sliding drawers in a pantry cupboard. Part of the Christmas "honey do" list.
The euro-slides are nice and easy to install. The part fitted to the drawer turns under, and supports the bottom. The side mount has the last 3 inches kicked down to assist the self close feature. IMO would not be adequate on a boat to be effective.
The full extension stop is just a little punchout on the drawer component and half$ss in performance
Side clearances have to be accurate, because running surfaces for wheels are very narrow.
Don't feel they will take the advertised weight factor.
Nice epoxy paint, should last awhile in a marine environment.
Will need additional latches for safety.
On Bluestocking's utility-use deep drawers, used the full extension slides, much heavier duty, and more expensive. Cadmium plated, but with a little LPS3, still good after 10 yrs.
Have a good Christmas.

[Christian Van H]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

Have a good Christmas.

WOW! Now THAT'S a quick response! Thank you all. Merry Christmas to you too Blue Stocking! Would you have a link or a supplier for the slides you used? I looked around for those stainless steel puppies, and even discounted they can be $35-50 a PIECE (not a pair), so they're out of my league... ;-).

[Blue Stocking]

Christian,

You should be able to get the whole range from any home centre of a good size.
I use KV (Knape & Voight) products.
Stainless may be special order. Try a commercial kitchen, or restaurant equipment supplier for best pricing.

[goboatingnow]

Being from euro-land these slides have been around since the war. I would recommend using the captive ball race extendable versions. The cheap and nasty wheel in a track versions tend to fail. (a) they twist and buckle if the drawer is loaded (b) they don't hold the drawer captive. And (c) they are easily damaged with the drawer fully extended.

Dave

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

Being from euro-land these slides have been around since the war. I would recommend using the captive ball race extendable versions. The cheap and nasty wheel in a track versions tend to fail. (a) they twist and buckle if the drawer is loaded (b) they don't hold the drawer captive. And (c) they are easily damaged with the drawer fully extended.

Dave

My experience exactly.

[Christian Van H]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

My experience exactly.

OK, I found a great online source for drawer slides: http://www.drawerslides.com/ I will be using ball bearing drawer slides, probably zinc coated... Thank you all for your advice! Chris

[capngeo]

Originally Posted by Christian Van H

OK, I found a great online source for drawer slides: Cabinet Drawer Slides, Glides, Hinges, & Hardware | DrawerSlides.com I will be using ball bearing drawer slides, probably zinc coated... Thank you all for your advice! Chris

Excellent! I was looking to source a slide for a laptop computer on my boat Thanks!

[goboatingnow]

Blum make good slides german quality.
Dave