Adjusting side drawer slides involves making minor alterations to correct misalignment, improve smoothness, or fix a loose drawer. The specific method depends on the type of slide and the nature of the problem.
Understanding Drawer Slide Adjustments
Most side-mounted drawer slides have adjustment mechanisms that allow for fine-tuning. These adjustments typically involve screws that control the position of the slide mount on either the drawer or the cabinet side. These adjustments commonly allow for:
- Height Adjustment: Moving the drawer up or down.
- Front-to-Back Adjustment: Shifting the drawer forward or backward.
- Side-to-Side Adjustment: Aligning the drawer to be square with the cabinet opening.
Common Adjustment Procedures
The process often involves:
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Locating Adjustment Screws: Carefully examine the drawer slides. Adjustment screws are usually small and may be located at the ends or sides of the slide mounts. They are frequently slotted or have a Phillips head.
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Loosening Screws: Carefully loosen the screws a small amount, but do not remove them entirely. This allows for repositioning.
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Making Adjustments: Gently push or pull the drawer to reposition it, making minor adjustments using the screws as needed. It is sometimes necessary to adjust the drawer side of the slides (height or side to side) and sometimes the cabinet side of the slides (front to back). As noted in one forum post, “[g]enerally the drawer side adjusts up and down, and the carcass side adjusts front and back.” (FineWoodworking forum)
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Tightening Screws: Once the drawer is properly aligned and moves smoothly, tighten all the adjustment screws securely.
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Testing: Fully open and close the drawer to verify proper adjustment. Re-adjust as needed until the drawer operates smoothly and correctly.
For ball-bearing slides, a video shows that you may need to reposition the ball bearing cage to correct the positioning ("Turn the screw to the right until the Glide is firmly back in place. When you're ready to reinstall the drawer move the ball bearing cage to the very front of the Glides.")
In some cases, shims may be needed to correct irregularities in the cabinet or drawer construction. One forum post suggests using a shim to address a crooked drawer: "Loosen rear screw on the protruding side, pull slide away from cab side enough to slide that shim in, slot straddles shank of screw. Tighten." (Sawmillcreek forum)
Troubleshooting
If adjustments don't solve the problem, the issue may lie with:
- Worn or damaged slides: Replace the slides if they show excessive wear or damage.
- Cabinet or drawer misalignment: More extensive carpentry work may be needed to correct serious misalignment.
