Cabinet Drawer & Hardware questions

[gstuartw]

I'm about to embark on the drawer portion of a kitchen cabinet build for my house. Though I helped my father in-law build all of the cabinets, drawers and doors for my last kitchen it was 20 years ago and now I'm doing this solo. Back then we used 12mm BB ply for the drawer boxes and builder grade slides.

20 years later I'm in a significantly more expensive home surrounded by equally expensive homes so quality of work and choice of material and hardware are more of a consideration.

NOTE - These cabinets are going to feature frameless construction with full inset drawers and doors.

My questions are:

Which manufacture should I use for bottom mount self closing slides? I need advice deciding between Blum, Grass or Accuride (or others). Cost is a consideration but given they are all pricey, ease of installation as well as drawer box construction requirements are important too. Oh and one can't overlook the need for jigs etc, those cost money too.

In upper end level of finish out are 12mm BB, Domino-assembled drawer boxes acceptable? Ads for the above slide manufacturers feature pictures of hardwood boxes and dove tail joinery. I'm in a bit of a time crunch to finish this project and would certainly save time and money using the plywood boxes again. Of course voids in the ply edges would be filled, sanded, rounded. We're not talking about workshop drawers. (The level of finish out in the whole kitchen will be comparable with the neighborhood and the level of creativity and uniqueness will be above that so my impression is the BB sides will either be overlooked or forgiven when all other aspects are considered.)

Thanks for taking the time to read and possibly offer advice,

Stuart

 

[tjbnwi]

I'm a Blum guy.

I don't do plywood boxes, 5/8" maple for me, dovetail or other joinery, depends on the look I'm after.

Tom

 

[tiralie]

20 years later I'm in a significantly more expensive home surrounded by equally expensive homes so quality of work and choice of material and hardware are more of a consideration.

I would look at what others in the neighborhood have done in terms of kitchen upgrade etc. to understand the "market" expectations. Expensive here could be average there and vice versa. I understand being in a time crunch this is not really reasonable but it may save you some money in one area that you can put in another that will net you a higher return.

NOTE - These cabinets are going to feature frameless construction with full inset drawers and doors.

I think I understand what this is, but it would be interesting to see an example so I know for sure.

Which manufacture should I use for bottom mount self closing slides? I need advice deciding between Blum, Grass or Accuride (or others). Cost is a consideration but given they are all pricey, ease of installation as well as drawer box construction requirements are important too. Oh and one can't overlook the need for jigs etc, those cost money too.

I like and have used Blum and Grass/undermount. I like the Blum for ease of installation and you can make your own jigs if you really feel your time is better spent doing that than purchasing one. If you are doing a large kitchen, it makes assemble go much faster. The Grass can be fiddly. You can get a range in terms of cost in Blum undermount self closing.

In upper end level of finish out are 12mm BB, Domino-assembled drawer boxes acceptable? Ads for the above slide manufacturers feature pictures of hardwood boxes and dove tail joinery.

If the market wants to see dovetailed boxes, or BB boxes are viewed as inferior and you are planning to sell I would do what the market wants.

I'm in a bit of a time crunch to finish this project and would certainly save time and money using the plywood boxes again.

I would look at getting all the boxes made commercially. A good manufacturer of dove tailed boxes will save you time particularly in a time crunch.

The level of finish out in the whole kitchen will be comparable with the neighborhood and the level of creativity and uniqueness will be above that so my impression is the BB sides will either be overlooked or forgiven when all other aspects are considered.

Recently I had a discussion with my next door neighbor about renovating/building/selling houses in our neighborhood (>1 million) and how different buyers look at different details. He said he is definitely paying for the fact that he did not build to the "local" market expectations. He overbuilt some areas (wall paneling) and compromised on some design areas creating confined and claustrophobic rooms etc. I don't think you should "assume" that BB sides will be overlooked but it may not be less important if the spaces are inviting, functional and the fixtures match expectations. In upper end homes, buyers look at many details and ironically ignore others. A little market research will help.

Tim

 

[rvieceli]

if you are under a time crunch, there are companies that will produce the drawer boxes for you including hardware prep.

Here's one:

http://www.drawer.com/market/