We make drawers on roller guides with our own hands

The roller guide mechanism is a pair of so-called rails, between which several (2 or more) small wheels are installed.

The latter ensure the movement of both parts of the device in two opposite directions, that is, they allow both increasing the length of the structure and returning it to its original state.

roller guides — Movement occurs in one plane (usually horizontal) and is limited by the size of the runners.

The material of each component has a significant impact not only on the degree of mobility of the guides, but also on the durability of the entire mechanism. To extend the service life of the device as much as possible, the rails are made of metal, and to ensure the necessary movement of the runners, the rollers are made of plastic.

roller mechanism — Roller guides for drawers.

The main reason for using roller guides is the almost complete absence of friction between moving parts.But this process inevitably leads to damage and subsequent destruction of the interacting surfaces and the structure as a whole.

In addition, due to friction, much more effort is required to move the runners, which also occurs at a slower speed.

drawer — The roller guides are coated with durable epoxy enamel.

Content

The difference between ball guides and roller guides
Using roller guides in drawer design
Installation of roller guides for drawers
VIDEO: Installing roller guides.
50 photo ideas of drawers with different mechanisms:

The difference between ball guides and roller guides

Having their own set of useful properties, ball guides have been competing with roller guides for quite some time.

roller and ball guides — Ball guides, like roller guides, consist of two parts. One of them is attached to the drawer, the other to the side wall.

In the first case, a small ball acts as a component that provides mobility to the improvised rails, and in the second case, a small roller.

And even though the latter may use bearings containing spherical elements, it is this feature of the mechanisms that is the reason for their name.

roller mechanism of drawers — Roller guides can withstand dynamic loads of up to 25 kg.

If we talk about the popularity of the specified devices, then the most common ones are still considered to be roller products.

roller mechanism photo — The disadvantages of roller guides are the noise they make when they open and close.

Their popularity was influenced by the fact that ball guides are much more often found in a non-separable version. This does not so much hinder installation or complicate the installation, but rather seriously limits the scope of application of the mechanism.

Using roller guides in drawer design

For some time now, the application of roller guides has been inextricably linked with furniture production.

The device is usually used to make wardrobes with folding rods, shoe cabinets with hidden niches and cabinets with drawers. Since the latter are more common, they will be discussed further.

The mechanism is attached to the side walls of the box from the outside, which does not reduce the useful space of the box itself.

installation of guides — Roller guides are partial extension guides.

In order not to damage the back wall of the cabinet and not to detach the drawer from it, the runners contain special limiters that take the form of artificial irregularities on the surface of the rail.

And in order to provide additional options regarding the removal and installation of the box, the main components have technological holes.

roller drawers — Ball guides would not allow the drawer to be pulled out and inserted after the furniture was assembled without damaging its facades.

Installation of roller guides for drawers

Before installing the device, it is advisable to make a careful calculation - this will definitely protect the side walls of the cabinet from unnecessary holes.

Drawers on which the guides will be installed.

Fastening the guide to the side surface of the drawer.
In addition to specifying all the necessary dimensions, it is necessary to take into account the level of the future structure: the improvised line formed by the runners should coincide with the working horizontal as much as possible. Moreover, the guides can be slightly longer than required, and, if the depth of the furniture allows, slightly extend beyond the back wall of the drawer.

Drawer with installed guides.

Marking the guides on the facade walls.
Once all the dimensions have been applied and checked several times, you should begin installation. It is important to understand that the side walls of the box can be made of a variety of materials. Therefore, to avoid damaging their surfaces, it is worth drilling holes with a drill.

We repeat this manipulation for all three pairs of guides.

Assembling the box with installed guides.

The use of a mechanism with push-buttons, which also act as limiters, allows you to preserve the appearance of the furniture fronts and its back wall without losing functionality.