How To Install Drawer Slides

[@smartkiltedman]

The second I got to 4:17 and I saw you'd mocked up a cabinet I knew I was in the right place. Thank you so much for your efforts. Top notch

[@jedi_mario]

Honestly, I wish PBS would call you to do a show. I learn so much and I feel like I am being mentored not just talked at. Thank you!!

[@TedEvanSeymour]

After watching a few other drawer slide installation videos I came upon this one. Absolutely brilliant. Simple, straightforward, clear in communication, no fancy jigs needed. Wonderful service you've provided. Thank you.

[@siriosstar4789]

This guy has the perfect speaking voice for video production . His enunciation is spot on and he speaks slowly and lucidly . A far cry from most of the rambling speed freaks that post videos on you tube. 👍👍👍

[@physicalivan]

true that

[@willmen08]

Sorry, I had to watch this at 2x speed. WAY too slow for me. But it was informative which is the ultimate goal.

[@Antti_Nannimus]

Many people have tried to explain this installation process in the past, but your video is the all-time best, clearest, most practical, and confidence-inspiring tutorial of them all. And to top it off, you've even explained the modern soft/self-closing versions of this very useful drawer-slide hardware. Thank you, sir, for your great, down-to-earth, tutorial!

[@heesanoice7637]

Brother, I Have to tell you that this video helped me IMMENSELY !! I had no idea how those slides were supposed to be mounted, but I tried to wing it with about 95% success. But after seeing your video I went back and started over, ripping out all the work I'd already done. Then I followed your instructions and made it to 100%. I spent dang near two hours last night doing the first one. Watched your video. Today I completed one in 20 minutes !!!! Thanks!!

[@jraglob5924]

Your instructional video is very well presented. As a retired college professor I enjoyed and easily learned from your cabinet series. Thanks, they made the building of my wall unit a lot easier.Keep the videos coming!

[@lucy2beme]

I had to kiss a lot of frogs before I found this instructional video. Simple, to the point, without the extra fluff. Thank you so much for this easy to understand video.

[@bobbymcelvany2980]

After watching some good videos on this subject, I found this to be the best by far! What a great teacher with simple ways to install drawer slides. Thank you very much!

[@zackevans152]

I built a new large wood working table and am installing a rather large drawer and wanted to brush up on the current how-to's. I watched a few other videos and yours is more in depth, particularly since you've used a partial cabinet in order to provide very clear visuals along with your well said procedures. I also do a lot of videos and a variety of other online marketing ways & means and your video is both very professional and thorough. Thx!

[@GamingoniPad68]

best woodworking channel by far

[@petervassallo2052]

Thank you Sir . You are a great Teacher . God Bless you and your family.

[@kirikiran]

Wow, thanks so much for this video and agree 100% speaking voice, enunciation and lucidity. 2 thumbs up for this video since this is the ONLY video that cared to explain how to remove the drawer portion of the slider (with the push button or the lever set inside). I have tried several times on youtube in the past 45 days to understand how most people removed the drawer side of the slide effortlessly...hallelujah!

[@bransoncarlton5425]

Thank you for a perfect video. I have had the ball bearing slides for a year but intimidated over getting everything square. You just gave me the inspiration to finish!

[@annnonomys3132]

Thanks for taking your time to build a mockup and produce a demo video.

[@teknicol]

I enjoyed your easy going style. You have a new fan sir, simply the best easiest to follow teacher.

[@henryogabor7839]

Thanks Sir for your teaching and time and I will love to no more sir. Am from West African Nigeria. Sir I love to come over, by your helping hands sir. I am into woods works too ( furniture ) Thanks a lot, more grace Sir..

[@ReneMartinez-kl5lg]

Absolutely awesome work brother, thank you so much, you're not just a great carpenter, you're also a great teacher, Cheers.

[@BackwoodsCalvinist]

WOW! Finally a video that makes sense. Well done.

[@vikings844]

I finally found a video on slides that make sense! This guy is the best on you tube!

[@GlenDomulevicz]

You addressed my doubts about buying a jig to install drawer slides. Almost did. But, your method, similar to what I have used in the past seems to be more reliable.

[@willnelson5692]

This is a nice illustration of the care involved with doing quality woodworking. I think this explains why my technique of using a skillsaw and eyeballing has always resulted in something that looks like a kindergartner built.

[@johnhammond5314]

Thank you Sir for your detailed instruction on drawer slides. There are many ways to do it but yours in my opinion is the best.Thanks again. John in Australia.

[@TheRocketbob22]

Steve, your are the man. Great voice and temperament. I have installed maybe fifty drawers in my personal projects in my woodworking/hobby shop. All were a pain in the butt, I am tempted to take them all out and redo them while watching the "Downtoearthwoodworks" video. I enjoy all your shows, I feel like you are one of my best friends. Keep up the good work, may you stay healthy and young for many years to come.. Rocketbob in Alabama

[@kennygee6627]

Excellent video, thank you. I’m about to build cabinets and this was very helpful. I truly don’t mean to be picky but, I think you missed one little detail. In the vertical spacers you made for the back side bracket, you didn’t compensate for the thickness of the bracket. Meaning, if you were to measure the outside to outside of the drawer rails in the front of the cabinet, then measure the outside to the outside of the rail on the back of the cabinet, the dimension in the back of the cabinet would be narrower than the front of the cabinet By the thickness of the two rear attachment brackets.

[@stavov6041]

Sir, you put the ease in easy. Thank for taking time to even make such awesome tutorial videos. Pretty laid back. Thanks again

[@downtoearthwoodworks]

Very nice. Thank you!

[@bcole6502]

i love forward to installing my drawer slides to morrow. I surely do appreciate the video sir!

[@rickbill4260]

Excellent series of videos, really professionally done.Thanks so much for taking the time.

[@dcastro5551]

Rick Bill that's why the video cut at 18:30. Probably had to re-shim the back. Lol Kidding! Kidding!

[@pr0n3]

Great vid and tutorial sir! Exactly what this amateur wood worker was looking for. Thanks!

[@downtoearthwoodworks]

+Gmork Thank you so much!

[@AllenScantland]

Excellent work presentng and explaining the installation.

[@harrypowers9412]

I REALLY like your videos...you explain everything so thoroughly and they are very instructive-thank you!

[@jplieurance]

Good info and presented well. Thanks..... I'm installing slides now, and two of the drawers have no frame on one side. Hints to get the 'no frame side' straight and level?

[@michaeldean2053]

Best drawer slide video ever.

[@Jack-rg6xf]

Perfect timing and a great video. Really enjoy the way you make everything look so easy. I learn something every time I watch one of your videos. Also nice to not have to try to listen to you over music playing. Keep em coming!

[@leighjones2352]

Once again Steve , fantastic explanation on how it is done. I now see why you skip this part in later video's. Leigh

[@deniseatthelake]

Excellent video and really like that automatic drill with the light on it! Thanks for explaining the "magic" soft close drawer slides so clearly and easily and including the bit about levels.

[@martintheron1386]

was work bench level? If bench is not level drawer slides will not be level

[@richardc6932]

Question: when you cut the alignment stick, your measurement was taken at the front of the cabinet, floor to underside of cabinet slide. When you placed it at the back, were you aware that you placed it under the slide at the end (with the end bracket attached) . This measurement is slightly less due to the additional thickness of end bracket, thus raising the slide slightly out of level. It was hard to tell where the stick was placed. This wouldn’t be an issue if the cabinet didn’t have a face frame.

[@paultay23]

Nice one, i am getting tired of trying to get these installations right... No instructions with the slides, but now I know what I have been doing wrong. Cheers matey.... subscribed to you channel, now lets see what else I can learn Paul in the UK

[@FernandoRodriguez-sr6qu]

Very well explained. Great video!

[@ronh9384]

Probably the best explanation I’ve watched on KZbin or elsewhere! Thank you. I haven’t built kitchen cabinets in probably 35 years when I built all the kitchen cabinets and vanity’s in our house. My wife just asked me to build new ones for the kitchen. These self close hinges and drawer slides weren’t available then. Is there any reason that the face frames can’t be flush to the inside of the cabinet so I can screw the slides directly to the cabinet sides and not use the rear bracket or shims? Also do you know of a good reference source for standard cabinet dimensions? Thanks for your time and keep up the great work on videos. Ron

[@bmmrrr]

i will be installing 15 drawers...to existing cabinets...you made my day

[@rgriff000]

wow. I have only watched 3 of your videos so far and feel comfortable making my own cabinets. I just went back and re installed most of my draw slides because they just weren't perfect and now they are thank you for the video.

[@downtoearthwoodworks]

That's fantastic... thanks for watching!

[@montehyler]

A fine video on installing drawer slides. I will use this technique for some slides I will be installing this week. Thanks!

[@mamajean5935]

Great video's. Simple clear instructions taken at a pace I can absorb. Thank you so much!

[@downtoearthwoodworks]

+MamaJean Thank you!!!

[@19stoney64]

Great video as usual. I built some cabinets last week. I installed 7 drawer just exactly like you did. I have a problem. I used euro hinges that are half inch over lay doors. The cups are 1 3/8 size and stiles are 2 1/4 wide. Instructions call for cup to be drilled 3/32 away from edge. Not that any of that matters but just info. So problem is the drawer slides run into the doors and you can't open the drawers. Now only option I have is to mark hinge location on inside of face frame and chisel out 1/8 and reinstall my hinges farther to left and right to give my drawers room to clear doors. So in future I need to make my strips stuck inside the face frame 1/4 on each side then measure for my drawer width.

[@lancelam2007]

Very good video! Thanks! We are factory of drawer slides in China! This video should tell more people how to install the drawer slide.

[@TeamProsperity]

Nicely done Steve

[@rjb5847]

Thanks ! An excellent video, I was pondering how to install my recently purchased pull out drawers & you have cleared this up for me.

[@rjb5847]

They are now installed.

[@joyofdevotion]

Hi thanks for the helpful video. I need a custom single flatbed drawer that would be used for keeping tools while working at my workshop. But the problem I am having is I don’t have any side support where I can mount the slides. Only option I have is to mount the slide just underneath of the main cabinet and use the top side of flatbed to mount against the drawer. Weight on the flatbed drawer could be upto 25-30kg. Can the flatbed handle this weight when top-mounted like this? Thanks

[@BlueOriginAire]

Can you please show a video of under mount brackets too ? Greatly appreciate your thoroughness in this video of the side mounts.

[@cookinitmax]

Sir where did you get the snap on back slider plates to hold the back on too the back panel of cabinet?.

[@privateer5]

I'm replacing drawer slides on older cabinets with soft close slides (rear bracket mount) and the slides rubbed a grove down both sides of the drawer after install. Is there a correct way to solve my clearance issue? The slides require a 1/2" on each side, I have that when measuring the inside of the face frame, but the outer part of the slides still rub the drawer box making it hard to close/operate. Should I plane the drawer sides a little? Can I sand the inside of the face frame on each side?

[@milescorp6237]

Great video and easy to follow. Thank you!

[@8baal]

Best instruction video on this that I’ve seen yet. Thank you so much!

[@sweetsilage]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. It made my project a lot less frustrating.

[@md8744]

So there will be 1 screw in front on frame?

[@1PastorMike]

Excellent tutorial as usual. At the risk of demonstrating my ability to miss the obvious, I do wonder about a potential flaw in this method. Using the level to assure proper elevation of the rear of the drawer would seem to work only if the cabinet is level. Would it be possible, and potentially more accurate, to reuse the spacer stick you used to establish the elevation of the rear of the slide, adding shims to the end equal to the shims used to keep the drawer off the face frame, as a spacer for the drawer?

[@downtoearthwoodworks]

+Michael L Michael, of course.. you didn't miss a thing. The assumption is made that one would be working on a cabinet that is installed level, and if working on a bench, as I was, that the bench would be level. However, your suggested method would work great... just use the same "shim stick" front and back.

[@orlandoramirez1345]

Brilliant explanation 🎉

[@waredbear]

Great videos. I will be making units for our kitchen and walk-in closet soon. If you had a drawer opening of say 6". How tall would you make the sides of the drawer? Would 5 1/2" be ok? I don't want socks or items to go over the top of the drawer and fall below. Thanks

[@danielholtxxl4936]

RedBear Outdoors You need to look at the specs for the brand of slides. I think these KV 8450 slides need 5/8 of clearance but double check that to be sure. I don’t monkey with doing the shims in the front sitting on the face frame...this is ok for 12 inch slides but when you’re trying to balance a 22 inch box on that face frame and screw on the slide it gets squirrelly. I just put the drawer box on the workbench and set the drawer part of the slide at the bottom of the box. This raises the box slightly and is why you need 5/8” clearance. Good luck.

[@Jason-ut8iu]

Good job. Thanks for making this video.

[@1crazynordlander]

I noticed you said the slides need to be parallel with each other but with the rear extensions to connect to the slide to the rear of your cabinet have a thickness of about a 1/16" which two of them will equal 1/8" difference after using your spacer. I noticed you placed the 13-1/4" inch height ahead of this rear extension so it did not raise the 1/16". Does this slide setup allow for some fudging or did you take these rear extensions thicknesses when you made your spacer stick? Great video!

[@kellerrobert80]

You are correct. He did not account for the thickness of the rear mounting bracket, which, as you say, seems to be about 1/16. Since the drawer seems to slide okay, perhaps this is allowable or he fudged as you suggest. In addition, he assumes the bottom of the cabinet is parallel with the face frame rail because he measures off the bottom rather than using a level. If the floor of the cabinet is unlevel, the slides will bind. Yet he used a level when attaching the drawer sides. You may want to use a level before screwing the slides to the insides of the cabinet, as a double-check.

[@Trainman0401]

Nice video with very useful information and tips! Thank you!

[@temtagesson]

This is great! Have always had a tough time installing these. Thanks for sharing

[@BronkBuilt]

Great tutorial, but like another has commented using a level is prone to give you unlevel drawers. You are assuming your cabinet is sitting on a perfectly level surface. Ths is almost always not the case.

[@luvmtrks4366]

Thank you for the step by step. Very helpful.

[@seannfawnc2282]

Great video! Thank you so much!

[@canislatrans2358]

Excellent! Thank you.

[@bryangreifinger8787]

Haven't read thru all the comments but wondering how you can figure out the dimensions a drawer should be for the frame its being installed in? Is it given via the drawer slides? Or is there a basic formula for determining the drawer dimensions? Thanks in advance

[@downtoearthwoodworks]

Opening width minus the thickness of the drawer slide times two. Most slide manufacturers offer +/- tolerances, usually +0 and minus 1/16" or 1/32".

[@kllgrogto5838]

It is good to know other ways to do things but the jig seems like a better choice for me as a beginner

[@StreetKingz4Life]

great patience and tutorial skills thank you very much sir!much appreciated....

[@GotItMade]

Very helpful. Thanks for posting!

[@mariojhorge23]

So wonder why you didn't start putting the screws on the adjustable holes of the slides first.

[@paulmihairusu216]

Hey just a quick heads up, Hyezmar is allowing people who visit website to get his woodworking plans for free, before he publishes them for sale.

[@buzzpatch2294]

many thanks i learned a bunch

[@MF-hs7mc]

Very good full explanof how to install a dtawer. Mark F.

[@Uriel51]

Great video as usual, I always enjoy watching and learning from this channel. Question about drawer slides: Do you purchase yours from the nearest box store / woodworking store? Or do you purchase a specific brand online? I don't know if I've ever come across drawer slides in a Lowe's or Home Depot... but then again I've never gone looking for them either. Do you have a preferred source, either due to quality or price?

[@downtoearthwoodworks]

+Uriel51 The big box stores do carry (usually) a limited supply of drawer slides, as do woodworking stores, Lee Valley, and others... however for a truly VAST selection of slides, pulls and everything else hardware related, try Woodworkers Hardware www.wwhardware.com Their web site is easy to navigate, the photos and descriptions are very good, most items listed also have links to downloadable PDFs of the installation instructions (so you know what you are getting into), their customer service is excellent, they typically ship same day, and if you have some unique problem or need, they probably have the hardware solution. And once you sign up with them, you will receive a hard copy catalog, a hefty book with hundreds of pages of hardware that you can lose yourself in for literally hours. Highly recommended.

[@Uriel51]

+downtoearthwoodworks Thanks for the resource! I'll check them out for my future hardware needs. I appreciate the reply!

[@MrLee-zp9oj]

Very good! Thank you

[@Patrick_Gray]

Good job!

[@janetpersons8030]

Great job

[@dahveed284]

Thanks for making it simple!

[@photorealm]

Very helpful video, than you.

[@eugenioduran5661]

Good job man

[@bryancampbell9312]

I really enjoy your videos...keep them coming! What brand of drawer slides do you use?

[@downtoearthwoodworks]

KV slides... I think KV stands for Knape & Vogt. Thanks for watching!

[@jimmiller8389]

I agree that the "jigs" are pretty much useless. Wasted money on them. I do differ on setting the slides in the cabinet. I use scrap plywood, usually 1'4 inch, I have on hand and cut to height I want the bottom of the slide to rest, clamp it and set the slide on it to screw it in. I then simply move the plywood to the other side and repeat the process which insures that the slides are parallel to each other and the cabinet bottom. I use the Accuride slides and the center of the side mount slides that I have is 7/8" and I use that to set the drawer part of the slide on the drawer. Bottom or anywhere on the drawer fitting the purpose and use of the drawer. One could also use a piece of plywood cut for top drawers and cut it down to fit remaining drawers in multi drawer unit.

[@TheBeerbelly007]

Great video, that really helped me understand the process. thanks

[@alexmorse2157]

phenomenal video thank you!

[@waynekinoshita6099]

Alex Morse c

[@mike1968442]

Hi, I ordered high end cabinets several years ago. Due to health issues we are now installing our new cabinets. The drawer slides are made by Melpa-alfit. I tried calling them but either due to the storm in North Carolina or the company went under. The direction say to use corner cleats and the metal plate at the rear of the cabinet. Neither of which are in the just opened box. Pictures show the drawer slides attached to extra wood about an inch back from the face frame. I assume im going to rip wood stripes the height and width for all 4 corners. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[@downtoearthwoodworks]

I assume these are undermount slides? If so, this link should allow you to download directions. woodworker.com/12-dyn-nt-fe-soft-close-poly-mssu-140-714.asp

[@longtallsambo]

He makes no mention of mounting the slides directly to the inside wall of the cabinet frame, instead of using the rear mount bracket.

[@lindellroberts7461]

i installed my richelieu draw slide and they dont work

[@HBSuccess]

For the noobs - if you're gonna use a level - your workbench has to be dead level. Since most are not I rely on squares and story poles/sticks

[@goosesr]

This point can't be understated. If your workbench sits at a 20 degree angle for instance and you use a level in your cabinet now your slides are on a 20 degree angle when you actually place your cabinet on a level surface. Total pain

[@rmitch3224]

I won't argue your point, but would note that both sides are still parallel which eliminates one common fitup error. Most people pull drawer,, remove or insert items, then push drawer. The self close mechanism will keep drawer closed. Doubt that user would noticed it's out of whack. You did make me check my table. It's not level. :):)

[@thatguythatdoesstuff7448]

And if you are going to retrofit slides into an existing cabinet, better make sure the monkey that built the cabinet made it square. I've installed slides in cabinets where the sides are not square to the face frame, front to back. And the sides are not parallel to each other, so a shim in the back doesn't work.

[@jimmiller8389]

@@goosesr I cut piece of plywood to rest the sides on at the height I want the slide from the bottom of the cabinet, clamp it in place, mount the slide than repeat on the opposite side. insures the slide is parallel to the bottom of the cabinet and with the other side.

[@martintheron1386]

Tioga Fretworks,are you sure your square is 100% square? You are correct,bench must also be level

[@howiwatchvideos]

Why would you make a demo that requires extra parts besides the slides?

[@venderitso1929]

I like the way u teach very informatic

[@pablolynch1152]

I would like to hear an explanation of what you don't like about this video.

[@MakeSomething]

Great explanation!

[@jacobwalter6944]

Very nice

[@wilsonaguirregomez3751]

Excellent video! Thank you so much for this tutorial:)

[@RODWORKSTV]

Nice video

[@jimfeaster4837]

Great video

[@yaswanthyalamuri1727]

really good

[@noerodriguez5845]

Thanks , it was a great explanation.