Furniture fittings are presented in a wide range today, which gives the opportunity to choose. Not so long ago, the facade of the furniture was the same, and it itself looked like a hinged drawer. Now the process of extension has become simplified with the help of guides.
The role of pull-out systems is quite important, as they allow the drawer to be pulled out as much as possible. Thus, pulling out its contents is not difficult.
Content
Main types of drawer guides
The action of drawer guides is due to the movement of specially produced metal guides using balls or rollers.
Depending on the type of movement, they are divided into two types: roller guides and ball guides.
Ball guides
Ball systems allow the drawer to be fully extended and can withstand heavy weight. Some designs can withstand about 60 kilograms. Ball guides can be installed in any plane.
Compared to roller guides, ball guides have their own advantages:
- INPossibility of regulating the system in 2 directions;
- Bquiet running of the drawer;
- Dduration of operation;
- ABOUTimplementation of work with a heavy load;
- INPossibility of full extension.
Despite all the positive aspects, such guides are more expensive than roller ones. But if there is a need to install guides in structures where heavy objects will be stored, then it is worth giving preference to ball systems.
Roller guides
The drawer can only be partially extended in this type of guides, but their cost is several times lower than that of ball guides. Roller guides create noise when opening the drawer; to eliminate this effect, rubberized rollers should be used.
The load that roller guides can withstand is 25 kg. When choosing roller guides, it is important to consider their thickness: for them to last a long time, it should be from 1.2 mm.
Types of guides: metaboxes and tandemboxes
Based on the two previous types of guides, more advanced drawers are produced.
- Metaboxes are boxes with roller systems and side walls with guides. The supporting components of this type of pull-out system are attached to the walls of the furniture.
The main advantage is that the drawers extend 3/4 of the way. Roller guides, presented as metaboxes, are stronger and more reliable than conventional systems. Metaboxes are distinguished by durable plastic rollers, as well as standard sizes of boxes. They are made of thin and durable sheet steel, if necessary, painted in a color suitable for furniture.
The top mounts provide additional security and eliminate any wobbling. - Tandem boxes are made on the basis of ball-bearing sliding systems, they are based on chipboard, but the side parts are sometimes made of metal or glass.
Tandemboxes can withstand loads several times greater than metaboxes. The height of tandemboxes allows them to be used in furniture where tall drawers are needed. Prices for tandemboxes are higher, but considering the quality, they are worth it.
The tandembox consists of two metal side panels with hidden ball guides.
Selecting guides
To choose a guide system that will serve for a long time, first of all you need to pay attention to the thickness of the metal. Especially if these are roller guides.
This parameter determines how much and how the fittings will work. The ideal thickness is 1-1.2 mm. If you decide to buy a smaller option, there is no guarantee that the drawers will last a long time.
The choice of fittings also involves a preliminary inspection of the product: it is important that the guides are even and free of defects.
Installation of roller guides for drawers
- Installation should begin with attaching two guides to the bottom of the drawer. The roller is at this time at the back wall of the drawer, the other end of the bar should rest against the facade.
Drawers on which the guides will be installed. 
Fastening the guide to the side surface of the drawer. - The bar is attached to the bottom of the drawer with screws; it should not be attached to the sides, because the second roller moves along the side. Pay attention to the screw heads. They should be below the surface of the bar so as not to interfere with the movement of the drawer.
Drawer with installed guides. 
Marking the guides on the facade walls. - It is necessary to attach the second pair of guides to the furniture body, having made preliminary marks with a pencil. When the place for the guide is marked, it is applied to the mark and fastened using self-tapping screws.
We repeat this manipulation for all three pairs of guides. 
Assembling the box with installed guides. 
We install the boxes themselves inside the box and get a finished piece of furniture. VIDEO: Assembling a drawer with a tandembox pull-out mechanism.
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