Replies

1. 
   BG | Jun 04, 2003 12:44pm | #1

   Wanabe,

   Just a couple of thoughts from current activities. I'm making a cabinet that has 25 cubbie holes 5x8" using baltic birch ply.  Im getting a lot of tear out even with pre-scoring the cuts...that is not unique to baltic birch..but ...

   Second, I have only built plywood draws with metal slides a few times.  The accuracy has to be right on the button..only about 1/16" tollerance if your using side mount slides and ya can't plane plywood. I used the undermount slide last week and 5/8" thick poplar...the undermount is cheaper and easier to work with...I'm not sure the undermounts would be strong enough for your size draws unless the kickers were fairly close too.  good luck 

2. 
   jvs | Jun 04, 2003 01:58pm | #2

   I've used Blum Tandem undermounts in some reasonably heavy drawers, and they make a heavy-duty (110 pound) rated version as well.  Both are fairly pricy, but are completely hidden, full-extension, and I can vouch that the standard version is very stable and quiet in use.  I've seen them described as fussy as far as installation, but don't find them particularly any more so than other slides or construction methods.  If you are picky about fit to begin with, they haven't been any more difficult to use than wood-on-wood runners.  As I said, they do cost, and the slides for a dresser I made for my wife exceeded the cost of the mahogany it was made from by a wide margin (I have a good source for fairly cheap Honduran mahogany).  It was still worth it, and I plan on using them for the rest of the bedroom set once that floats to the top of the project list....

   /jvs

1. 
   wanabe | Jun 04, 2003 08:47pm | #3

   now I am wondering if I made a mistake buying regular drawer glides.  they are rated for 75 pounds and were about $6 a pair.  i hate to be unwisely cheap, especially when great amounts of my time is involved

1. 
   jvs | Jun 05, 2003 02:55am | #5

   If the look and stability of the glides you have satisfy you, I'm sure they will be fine.  I stopped using side-mounts after finding the tandem series, but never experimented with good ones.  The side mounts were "top-of-borg-line" painted ones, and the installation was never really solid no matter how they were adjusted.  Hard to overlook the difference between $6 and $30-40/pair, too....

   /jvs

3. 
   Lilshaver | Jun 05, 2003 12:28am | #4

   I have been building "fine furniture" for over twenty years as a pro. I have always embraced the use of plywood and ball-bearing slides, as well as screws and nails. "Fine" furniture is not limited to the use of good hardwoods, handcut joinery, and sharp chisels. Nor must one construct according to the old masters.

   The definition of fine will vary with every practitioner. Personally, although I don't think you can make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, you can make a first rate sow's ear purse.