Easily Install Drawer Slides with This Method
When I first started woodworking, I found drawer slides to be very intimidating because I could not find info on how to install drawer slides. I could not figure out how to get the hardware on the cabinet side to line up perfectly with the hardware on the drawers! I’ve always thought that I measured correctly but apparently not. The drawers were always crooked and did not close properly. I definitely attribute that to user error!
Installing roller drawer slides can be a daunting task. But with the right tools and some patience, you can easily achieve a successful installation with minimal fuss. In this tutorial, I’ll show you step-by-step how to install your own drawer slides, so that you can maximize storage and organization in your home.
Upon further research, I discovered the Kreg drawer slide jig. It is magnetic and accommodates a wide variety of drawer slide types. It holds the cabinet-side hardware in place and has a guide which keeps the slide perpendicular to the front of the cabinet allowing you to screw the slides in place. Even more cool, I can locate the drawer slides back from the front edge for inset drawer fronts! Awesome, huh? It certainly makes drawer slide installation a whole lot easier and it doesn’t cost a fortune which makes this a worthwhile investment!
Today, I’m going to show you how easy it is to use to install drawer slides with a drawer slide jig…
Materials:
- Drawer slide jig
- Drawer slides
- Drill
- Screws for the slides
The cabinet should be assembled to the point of installing the drawer slides. If the drawer fronts are inset (flush with the face of the cabinet), the slides will need to be located 3/4” from the front edge. If the drawer fronts lay over the outside of the cabinet, the slides will be located flush with the front edge of the cabinet.
Attach the drawer slide to the magnet. There will be a lip on the slide jig to align it with the front edge of the cabinet.
For this example, I am using ball-bearing slides and there is a shelf where each drawer will be placed. The bottom of the jig will rest on the shelf and the front part of the jig (in front of the handle) will rest on the front of the cabinet.
Once the jig is in position, drive the screws into the holes provided on the slide.
Remove the jig and attach the other half of the drawer hardware to the drawer. Insert the drawer and check the fit, then finish with the drawer front.
This method also works for the roller slides as shown in the next example.
For inset drawers, you will need to mark the inside of the cabinet where the slides will be located. For this example, the drawer fronts are inset, so I made a mark 3/4” in from the front edge.
Attach the cabinet-side hardware to the jig. Position the jig and slide so they line up with the marks, and drive the screws. Repeat for all cabinet-side slides.
Attach the cabinet-side hardware to the jig. Position the jig and slide so they line up with the marks, and drive the screws. Repeat for all cabinet-side slides.
Have any questions about how to install drawer slides? Leave a comment below!
Originally posted 2012-12-28 08:00:51.
272 Comments
Do you prefer one type of drawer slide over another? I am thinking of building the RH inspired side table with its two skinny (or thin) drawers and I have never installed slides. I will look into the Kreg jig for drawers also.
The Kreg jigs are an awesome investment! Anyway, I plan on writing an article soon about drawer slides… For that type of drawer, I would use the kind of slide with rollers on it (I think they’re called “low-profile”) that mounts to the side of the drawer at the bottom. The ball-bearing slides are usually used for heavier applications (which is why I want to write the article) but can honestly be used on any drawer. In my opinion, Rockler has the best deal on the slides (and jigs) and they are cheaper than the big-box stores especially when they have free shipping! Hope this helps!
This was really helpful – this is definitely something I’d like to undertake here to help get us more organized! Your blog is great – so much cool stuff to check out! Happy SITS day!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate that! Stop by again soon!!
Been wanting to add these to a couple of drawers in a chest. Nothing worse than having the drawer get stuck in the open position, especially when it’s basically MDF and really heavy. It looks beautiful but it’s a pain to use and undoubtedly made in China. I’ve made inquiries of men (2) at HD and they just look at me like a deer caught in the headlights. Could never figure out how to line up the cabinet part of the slider with the one for the drawer. If it was still in the stage of just being built with an open top it would be a lot easier. With MDF, I’ll probably need to pre-drill the holes and then fill them with wood glue before putting in the screws. Right??
Hi, Alice! That is a funny story! Hope this post helps with the installation. It is definitely a good idea to pre-drill the holes in MDF and the glue should help as well. 🙂
Forget to mention, I already bought those heavy duty slides at HD, which is why I mentioned them.