I’m fitting a couple of kitchen drawers (first time for me). The openings aren’t quite right – the front width is 23 1/8 and the rear is 23 “exactly”. Will there be enough give in the glides to take this up or should a shim the sides parallel? I plan to use ball-bearing “accuride” type glides.
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The space for side mounted slides is critical. Being out of square or having a variance in the width of either the cabinet or drawer can prevent the slides from working smoothly. Most side mounted slides require the outside measurement of the drawer box to be 1 1/16" less than the opening, approximately 17/32" each side for the slides and slack. It can take a little more but definitely not less. If your drawer is 22 1/16" it's going to jam at 23". Some side mounts come with tabs that can be bent out without need for shims. The soft close, full extention, undermounts are the current rage, very smooth and quiet.
Shim
You want the glides parallel. Think of it this way, What happens to the tires on your car if they arn't alligned?
They wear prematurely and will rub and bind within the races.
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