How to Install Drawer Slides

The style and options of the drawer slide may vary in how they are installed. You may receive a guide with some drawer slides, such as this one. If not, you can still follow these simple steps to install drawer slides. You can use this guide for both the Ball-bearing Slides and Roller Slides.

This guide assumes that you have chosen drawer slides that fit your design.

Step 0: Create a separate cabinet and drawer members

You can simply slide the drawer member forward to fully extend it and then place the drawer roller on top of the cabinet member. Cabinet members attach to a grounded or stable component, i.e. The cabinet and the drawer member attached to the moving part, i.e. The drawer. You can separate the intermediate member from the drawer member by pulling the lever forward and pushing the release lever.

Step 1: Install a Cabinet Member

No matter what type or style drawer slide you have, the cabinet member must be installed first. You will need to align the cabinet member within your cabinet or another stable component, depending on how it is mounted. By using a level, you can ensure that both the drawer slides are parallel and level.

You should align the front edge and cabinet edges of overlay drawer fronts if you plan to use them. You can insert drawer fronts, drawers with their front insert inside the cabinet, by setting back the front edge of the cabinet member to the thickness of your drawer front.

Once the cabinet member is aligned with the cabinet, attach it to the cabinet using the fasteners you choose into the recommended holes. You can adjust the length of your installation if the cabinet member has at most two slots for mounting.

Pre-drill your bolt holes if you intend to use bolts for fastening your drawer slide. Then, drill the holes with the appropriate size drill bit.

Step 2: Create a Drawer Member

You simply need to align the drawer member’s front with the drawer’s front in order to install a ball-bearing or releasing roller slide. To ensure the drawer fits in your cabinet, make sure both the drawer members are parallel and level. After aligning the drawer, attach it to your cabinet using the recommended slots.

It is a good idea to have another pair of hands, or support, to help you hold the drawer in its place while you attach it to the drawer slides. To mount each drawer to the slide, the drawer member must be fully extended. You can then push the drawer shut.

Step 3: Insert Drawer & Adjustments

After all the members have been attached, insert the drawer in the cabinet. To position roller slides, roll the drawer roller on top of the cabinet roller. To release ball-bearing slides simply insert the drawer member in the intermediate member and press close. As the drawer closes, the release lever will lock.

The cabinet member will typically have horizontal slots that adjust the depth of a drawer while the drawer member will usually have vertical slots that adjust the height.

After all, adjustments have been made, you can now fasten each member with the third mounting hole. To improve stability, you may want to change some of the nuts and screws to locking ones. When supporting heavy loads, it is recommended to use at least two locking screws per member.