Drawer Slide Installation- Retrofitting Soft Close Drawer Slides

[@AllisonSkiff]

I searched for this information for hours and couldn’t find a solution until I found your video. Tremendously helpful! Thank you!!

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Glad I could help!

[@Talk2Giuseppe]

Thanks for doing a demo with a "no so perfect" cabinet. It helped me understand the utter frustration I was experiencing in being so perfect with my measurements, only to now realize the box itself ain't so perfect to begin with and how to work with it! Great video! Thanks!

[@eamonrodgers4751]

Brilliant video, and I’m a carpenter for 35 years 😊, nice job and you’re as cool as a breeze, no drama 😉

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Thanks 👍

[@Reveriii]

This is good stuff. I’ve watched a lot of these videos for drawer slides and this is the most clear and well instructed by far. I feel a lot more comfortable doing this DIY now. Thank you!

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Thanks!

[@harmonicaplayer100]

I sure wish I had watched this fine video prior to my first attempt! I have saved this video and will be watching it during my second attempt. ;-)

[@Raj0684rg]

Dude you are so smart. I was educated but not intimidated. Thanks. I'll be watching more of your videos.

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Thank you!!

[@ddstitt]

Best explanation of using the Kreg jig. Thank you

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Thanks! Glad we could help!

[@JamieHara]

This video should have way more likes and views. I liked it. Picking up the jigs in the morning.

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Thanks!

[@frankcoffey]

Fantastic. This is a perfect instruction video, didn't go to fast or too slow just showed how it's done and what tools you need. Great tips for unexpected situations also. Learn how to install drawer slides in 13 mins!

[@Baughndw]

Stumbled onto this video while researching different slides. Had not seen the Kreg jig before.........road trip to the nearest HD that has it in stock this morning. Thank you!

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Have fun!

[@kenneumann3099]

Fantastic instructions! Your videographer is excellent as well! You made a confusing job easy. Thank you.

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Great to hear!

[@survivela1]

Thank you!!! I'm retrofitting funky old built-in cabinets and this is exactly the instructional video I was l looking for!

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Glad we could help!

[@phillipdnorth]

Well done. To the point and no sales pitch. You showed how to attach the rear of the slide when most don't come with support brackets for that application. Also appreciate the extra tips for proper alignment so it slides freely.

[@marcmilnes955]

WOW! Great video. Easily the best DIY video I have viewed in over 1,000 videos.

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Wow thanks!!

[@bluetech1391]

Outstanding! This is by far the simplest approach I've seen re: installing soft close drawer slides. Rather than making up the blocks, jigs, and shims, you have used specialty tools and parts that greatly simplified the process. That said, the only reason the Kreg blocks were able to be used was because the cabinet face was plumb and therefore the blocks provided a precise 90 degree base for everything else. I mention this because unless the woodworker or contractor checks the face for square and plumb and checks the top for level, then the procedure shown may not work 100%. Thank you for using a cabinet that wasn't square and showing an easy way to address the front to back taper without making shims! There are other common issues when retrofitting drawers and you mentioned a few. Will you be doing videos that show how you address these situations? Again, this is the best video I've seen and I wanted to thank you for the high quality of the video instructions and the list of parts and tools used.

[@theorioncorp1]

Thank you for this video. I was ready to send back the Kreg support items and find a vendor to help me do the work, but your video is motivating me to give it another shot, using your instructions. Cheers!

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Great!

[@angiegallegos1478]

Thank you! Wish I had found this video last year when I installed pull outs in base cabinets. After much struggle I realized the cabinets weren’t square, so all the other DIY videos left out crucial information about how to compensate. I didn’t use face frame sockets, so I used boards with shims where needed to build up a square frame to attach the slides to. A lot of work!

[@CarlosJimenez-yb1gs]

Excellent video. Unlike most that make every step simple and predictable as if everything works out perfect, this video shows you how to plan for the imperfections in the furniture you are working with and so, have the solution in advance. Good techniques too.

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Thanks!!

[@guernica10]

I am not skilled in finish carpentry but this made easy work of a conversion project. I owe you a beer!

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Anytime!! 🍻

[@SandyBoone]

Thanks - exactly what I needed to retrofit an old kitchen drawer with new slides!

[@husteadshomeschoolglimpses7595]

Thank you for saving my night. I was about to return it.❤

[@johnrogers3781]

Great demonstration. Now, I'm confident that I can tackle this project.

[@theofarmmanager267]

Very good video. There are so many kinds of drawer boxes and cabinets that there have to be many different ways of mounting drawers. The cabinet shown (face frame fitted and no internal middle support) is one of them. The method shown for this is good. Personally, I always use the spacer block method rather than the Kreg-style supports as it does not assume that the face frame is square to the sides - its easy enough to clamp the spacer block ( I attach a “foot” to one side to assist in this) where needed. I also start at the top and work down, cutting the spacer blo acc each time. Where the Kreg-style bracket is very good, and I haven’t seen it before, is supporting the drawer when installing that. I will be copying this although I won’t be paying £30 for the brackets as I can make them in minutes using pieces out of the offcut bin. This is the first video that I have seen from these people and, if there are other others, I will be watching them. Good job to all concerned. Where I find most starters have a problem is when fitting drawers to an open box cabinet. Particularly in spacing the drawers where there is no face frame to determine heights. In this case, you have to calculate how tall you must make each drawer box leaving room in between (above and below) each other. For instance, if you have a cabinet box height of 600mm, you might decide to have boxes of 150mm (10mm gap underneath, plus 25mm height gap), 125mm (+ 25mm), 125mm (+25mm), 100mm (+15mm gap above). I would fit the drawers and, if I’m having overlay fronts, fit those afterwards. If I’m using real wood with a nice grain pattern for the overlays, I can use a single piece so that the grain flows across all the fronts. That’s my method; there are lots of right ways and a few wrong ways.

[@tehayes99]

Thanks for the instructions. We’re building a house and we didn’t ‘order’ the soft close slides. They said it’s ‘too late’ in the process when we noticed. I’ll be doing it myself and probably save a lot of money in the process. Your instructions and the videography were excellent. Thank you.

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Thanks so much! Good luck!!

[@tinaflener4225]

Awesome information. Great video. I have an older house with solid wood cabinets...but nothing in the house is square or level. The only constructive criticism I have is the music. I'm sure it doesn't bother most. But, I get migraines from repetitive sounds or motions (kinda like a flashing light can cause some epileptics to have a seizure). I tried to mute, but didn't get any captions. But still, GREAT, informative, straight to the point video!!! THANK YOU!

[@Don-ds2sn]

Great job (tutorial) that was exactly what I needed to see. I’m installing the same rails on two drawers for a table saw cabinet I built. My first cabinet and my first drawer installation. I went online and ordered the set of keg brackets and another face clamp (already had one). I retired three years ago so it’s never too late to learn something. I also learned how to design in fusion 360. I’m sure you guys are doing a great job of teaching something similar. This was a big help for me. Thanks

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Glad we could help!!

[@Lukehuntersworld]

THANK YOU!!! You just saved me around $20,000 :-) I can totally do this myself and keep my original doors and drawers. I never thought about just replacing just the slides.👍

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Glad we could help! Good luck!

[@StevenMalatesta]

Thanks guys - this was very helpful. Good camera angles and solid info throughout. Took a challenging DIY job and made it doable.

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Thanks!!

[@teelaccounting]

Easy way to install. Great job

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Thanks 👍

[@davidspidle7693]

Thank you so much! This was exactly the tutorial I needed. Almost every other video used the Kreg jigs with perfectly square cabinets and side walls they mounted them to so it was very simple and perfectly aligned. That makes a great short youtube video but isn't real world. This was exactly what I needed. Thanks again.

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

You are so welcome!

[@wirelesswhit]

Try helpful. Love the drawer jig bracket idea. Game changer

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Glad it helped

[@kenjones5651]

Loved the video. Made the install quite easy. You handled most of the "gotchas", but missed one that is probably common. My 35 year old "custom" cabinets have drawer openings only 1/4" wider than the drawer box! If they were wider than the amount needed for the slides to extend, a shim could be used. In my case, I think I need to cut a 3/8" slot in the face for the slides. Have I missed something easy?

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

If the drawer is too wide you could try an undermount slide solution

[@kenjones5651]

@@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018 thank you! I looked at undermounts but same problem, now they would show below! Solution seems to be a better center mount. I found ball bearing center mounts. They only carry 37.5 lbs instead on 100, but are adequate for kitchen cabinets

[@NephewEnt.]

Where you get the cabinet level tool at

[@nancy4485]

Yes, thanks for sharing. Love the quality of the video..Nice job

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Thanks!

[@jestione1]

Great video-thanks! Do you have a link to the white brackets at the back of the slide?

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

You should be able to search for drawer slide rear bracket. They are pretty universal

[@MrCubflyer]

Very nice great explanation and demo

[@StevenChurch-n6f]

Seeing how you would attach the outside glide if it has a frame on the front of the cabinet. I'm going to add a block to flush out the side wall to screw the slide to.or is the bracket enough?

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

The bracket is designed to hold all the required weight

[@ceruleanfish6703]

Very well done tutorial. Thank you for making this and posting, professional video work. Also, info that's good so you don't have to schlep to the box store and pick brains. Less contractor knowledge at the box stores sadly these days. Bests~

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Thanks!!

[@oscarjimenez9395]

Excelente video Tendrás algún vídeo en español? Muchas gracias

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

lo siento no pero me gustaría que hubiera más videos de carpintería en español.

[@bijan4727]

Hello sir. I followed your excellent presentation and installed my self closing drawer. The only problem I have is when I pull the drawer , I have to apply a little bit force and after that is nice and smooth. It closes by itself. I am just concerned about the stiffness when I pull out the drawer. Is it supposed to be like that or I have done something wrong ? Please advice. Thanks.

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Yes seems normal. The resistance is overcoming the self close mechanism

[@scottrackley9913]

Thanks for this. Huge time saver!!

[@keithbailie3014]

Great video! I know it probably depends on the brand of slides but have you ever had issues where the soft close drawer is very difficult to open? I think it's the soft close mechanism just trying to set itself but it seems very hard to open. Could it be something out of square or tilt on the slides maybe? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Yes soft close slides are often very sensitive to having the drawer box and opening square straight and aligned. If anything is off they do tend to not function smoothly.

[@keithbailie3014]

@@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018 yah I checked all that and concluded that the resistance so felt when opening was due to the soft close mechanism being set, so pulling the tag against the spring to set it for when the drawer is pushed in. So I made the wrong choice of slides for a nightstand. Ended up popping the soft close mechanism out and that is a better experience overall despite no soft close any more. At least the table doesn’t come with you when you try to open the drawer

[@birdbandit9]

Great instructions. Great problem solving. Very nicely shot, too. I never knew about those mounting brackets. Looking forward to more videos, Armando!

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Thanks for watching!

[@jondeur2686]

Based on your recommendation, I bought a set of Kreg jigs. I installed slides for three drawers and then realized that none of the slides were level. They all tilted downward inside the cabinet. One of them was badly out of level. The jigs were not level. Have you heard of this problem before? Any solutions or suggestions?

[@johnandjuliemcbride4264]

How do you put the jigs in for the bottom drawer? Doesn't seem like there is enough room. Or, do you do something else to get the space right?

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

The slide could technically sit on the bottom or just use a small spacer like a piece of scrap wood

[@ronlittle2010]

Need to verify the Slide Bracket P/N you have linked above. Ordered the Prime-Line 7227 bracket from the link on Amazon and the bracket only has a 7/8" opening. The slide needs 1 3/4".

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Updated, sorry for the bad link

[@LoedMerlin]

Amazing! After watching any number of videos on drawer installation this is by far the best! You have a new subscriber to your channel. Thank you for making a difficult job easier. The only question I have is, how do you know the rear bracket is close to where it needs to be (I am quite sure I am over-thinking this.)?

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Well the brackets have slotted holes so you can get close. If you wanted you could put the drawer in loosely and let it guide you to a rough position. Or, measure to edge of the slide on the front where it’s fixed and match that in the rear, then adjust from there

[@nanax7]

What if your cabinet measures deeper than drawers by several inches... How do we know what size slide to get? Go by drawer size or cabinet size?

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

The slide can be much bigger than the drawer itself. For example if you have a 22” slide on a 18” drawer it will still work fine.

[@stephencoviello5822]

If I measured inside my kitchen cabinets and it’s just shy of 23” from the back to the inside face of the drawer opening, do I get 22” slides or 24”?

[@theofarmmanager267]

22”. You have to go shorter rather than longer - otherwise, the slides will stick out

[@annasegura9754]

THIS IS SO AWEEEESOME! Thank you so much....

[@KurtBelyeu]

thanks, excellent video!

[@MaggieHamilton-l4m]

Do you have a link to the bracket glide (triangle) piece you used?

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Kreg KHI-Slide Drawer Slide Jig, Set of 2 a.co/d/1zHQEe8

[@muchomalo100]

So if I'm understanding it right then you must make your drawer always smaller. Because you have still to connect the draw slider on the drawer so it fits together in the cabinet?

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Yes. Always check with the manufacturer of the slide. But these usually need the drawer to be 1” smaller than the opening

[@rogereisentrager3420]

Nice job

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Thanks!

[@davidoliver3136]

Well done!

[@martyw2199]

Excellent video

[@BMETFerg]

Is there a recommended screw for installing the rear brackets as to not worry about blowing out the back? I’ll be installing this type of slide into my island.

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

I would say a 1/2” screw would work. Assuming the part you are attaching to is at least 1/2” thick. If it’s not you may be able to add a block to the back with some glue and then attach to bracket to that. Good luck!!

[@19winston51]

I am installing self closing drawer slides one side goes all the way in but the other side sticking out about 3/16 or 1/4 on the other side can u help me

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Could be a issue with the length of the drawer, drawer not square, or mounting it unevenly. Good luck!

[@Frank-sb3dp]

Great video, thanks!!

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

You are welcome!

[@brandyh.3236]

I'm having a problem with two of my drawers. The rest work beautifully. The problem I'm having with my guides are , when I pull the drawer open the mechanism that holds the spring keeps popping the spring mechanism. Which then , as I go to close the drawer it just slams up against the kitchen cabinet. I keep trying to set the spring mechanism in the drawer guide towards the back of it, then it will work one time closing the drawer. Yet as I go to open it again the spring mechanism keeps popping back. I dnt know how to fix it. Please help?

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

It could be a bad/broken slide. There are times when installing the slides the locking portion that holds the mechanism could break and cause this issue. Hope this helps!

[@abumstead1219]

I agree it’s a great video, and your client was wise to get you to fit his drawers into a “ Not square “ unit. But what about the average Jo who doesn’t have those Kreg drawer brackets ? I accept you said it could be done with a jig, but the video would have been 100% more informative if you had shown said jig!

[@earltpt]

Ok , but what if you haven’t got the support brackets?

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

I have a link in the description

[@colinblankenship2401]

Thank you for sharing

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

My pleasure

[@jong4939]

Good video! Thanks!

[@Good_Things_To_Know]

Great video

[@mikeysuperfly1997]

Thank for the tips

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

You bet!

[@28th_St_Air]

Super helpful!

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Glad you think so!

[@georgelynn2413]

Thank you.

[@Ricken2022]

You did not address , that the inside width measurements of the drawer slides , needs to be equal to the width of the drawer slides .. , what would you do If the drawer side outside measurements were a 1/2 inch wider . So for example the inside measurements of the drawer slides is 15 3/4 and the drawer is 16 inches .

[@robertpate4248]

Awesome

[@philipwolf3619]

The plastic brackets always break over time

[@mohammadjavadhosseinzadeh5585]

👏👍

[@jagslion3]

you just need a mic

[@thunderboltpenetrator8498]

An impact driver??? Eh 🤦

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Burleyson]

Which slides did you use?

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Most any ball bearing side mount drawer slide will go in the same way.

[@hawardbarreto503]

I did install my slides but it should self close slowly right but doesn't do that. I did brought the slow close sliderDo I need it to have some unevenness for it to close?

[@denisewascavage209]

Great information!

[@lakeerieschoolofwoodworkin9018]

Glad it was helpful!