Leveling soft close drawers primarily involves adjusting the drawer slides or runners to correct vertical, horizontal, and depth alignment issues. Proper alignment ensures the drawer sits flush with the cabinet face and operates smoothly, allowing the soft-close mechanism to function correctly.
Key Drawer Adjustments
Adjusting soft close drawers typically requires manipulating specific screws or levers found on the drawer slides or the brackets attached to the drawer box. Here are the common adjustments you might need to make:
1. Adjusting Drawer Height (Vertical Alignment)
If your drawer is sitting too high or too low in its opening, you need to adjust its vertical position.
- According to the reference provided, if the drawer is misaligned vertically, locate the adjustment screw on the slides or hinges.
- Turn the screw clockwise to raise the drawer.
- Turn the screw counterclockwise to lower the drawer.
Make small adjustments to each side of the drawer (left and right slides) alternately to keep the drawer stable as you move it up or down.
2. Adjusting Drawer Depth (Front-to-Back Alignment)
If the drawer front is sticking out too far or is recessed too much relative to the cabinet face, you'll need to adjust its depth.
- The reference states, if the drawer is too far forward or backward, you should look for adjustment features on the slides.
- These features can vary by slide manufacturer but often involve:
- A release lever or button that allows you to reposition the drawer box on the slide.
- A separate screw that moves the front of the drawer forward or backward.
Consult your specific drawer slide manual or manufacturer's instructions for the exact method for depth adjustment.
3. Adjusting Horizontal Alignment (Side-to-Side Alignment)
While not explicitly detailed in the provided reference, horizontal adjustment is also crucial for leveling and often involves adjusting the screws that attach the slides to the cabinet or the drawer box to the slides/brackets.
- Check the gap between the drawer front and the cabinet opening on both sides.
- Adjusting the mounting screws on the slides or the drawer front attachment points can help shift the drawer left or right.
Steps for Leveling Soft Close Drawers
Here is a general approach to leveling your drawers:
- Empty the Drawer: Remove all contents to make the drawer lighter and easier to work with.
- Inspect the Drawer: Observe how the drawer sits in its opening. Is it crooked? Is one corner higher or lower? Is it sticking out?
- Locate Adjustment Points: Pull the drawer out fully (or remove it if necessary) to clearly see the slides and any visible adjustment screws or levers. These are typically found near the front of the slides or on the mounting brackets.
- Make Small Adjustments: Identify which adjustment is needed (height, depth, or horizontal). Turn the appropriate screw or manipulate the lever according to the manufacturer's instructions and the principles described above (e.g., clockwise to raise, counterclockwise to lower for vertical).
- Test the Drawer: Push the drawer back in and check its alignment. Close it fully to see if the soft-close mechanism engages properly.
- Repeat and Fine-Tune: Continue making small adjustments and testing until the drawer sits level and flush in the opening and operates smoothly.
- Check Both Slides: Remember that adjustments often need to be made to both the left and right slides to keep the drawer balanced.
Leveling your soft close drawers improves their function and appearance. If you are unsure about the specific adjustment points on your hardware, consult the documentation that came with your cabinets or drawers.
