help with undermount drawer hardware selection

[hitandruntz]

I have a couple built-ins I'm bidding on and they require  undermount slides. I have done many built-ins but I have not dealt with this hardware before. Ive installed cabinets with this hardware in it but haven't built boxes and drawers and installed this hardware in them. I'm curious what is your preferred brand and line within that brand? is the drilling template necessary? I know i can fake it without the template or make my own plus its only 8 drawers total. 5 drawers are 30"D x 30"W x 9"T.  3 drawers are 11 1/2"x D 30"W x 12"T.  also with those drawer sizes what thickness material would you recommend for drawer construction. I will be using Baltic birch either 5/8" or 3/4", with 1/2" bottoms in the larger boxes 1/4"bottoms in the smaller boxes. the way the cultist goes there is plenty of leftover 3/4" Baltic leftover due to the oversized boxes so that's why i planed to use 3/4" but I noticed the grass 26"undermount (dynamic-NT) requires 5/8" side material. 
I've got a catalog from a local supplier and I've been to blum and grass websites but with all the different lines they have within the undermount category it starts to get a little confusing.  so I'm looking for some advice and feedback from people who know the ins/outs of this hardware. any help is greatly appreciated.
thanks-John

 

[Guilliaume woodworks]

If your talking about under mount tandem guides , I've installed just about every brand & prefer Blum . Stay away from the cheap knock offs. It's worth the extra money for the blum.

 

[johne]

The newest offering by Blum is the MOVENTO system.
It has even more adjustment possibilities than the Tandem



Edit: The Blum line constists of:

Tandembox: undermont used with aluminium drawers sides
Tandem: undermount for wooden drawers
Tip-on: for use with wooden drawers without grips (You open the drawer by pushing against the front of the drawer)
Movento: New line for wooden drawers

These are the higher quality sliders they have others like metabox but i'm not a fan of those.

Installation is not very difficult but i would advise to get the Blum jig for the tandem and movento (makes life easier)

[attachimg=#]

http://3697.static.securearea.eu/Files/3/3000/3697/Attachments/Product/4L939145l3CG526596d6155fgm1n7duR.pdf

Edit: The material thickness for the drawer sidewalls is important in so far that you need clearance between the sidewall and the runner hardware.

You can however use any thickness you like but you would have to remove some material from the sidewall below the bottom of the drawer. (see drawing)

[attachimg=#]

 

[tjbnwi]

Link to Blum's under mounts, my go to's also.

http://www.blum.com/us/en/01/30/10/

Be aware that if you go with 3/4" sides, you have to order the slides for 3/4".

21" 3/4 sides-#568F5330B
24" 3/4 sides-#568A6100B
27" 3/4 sides-#568A6860B

The above numbers are for Tandem plus Blumotion- Full extension. You will need the front locks, choices are inset, overlay, narrow, straight.

Tom

 

[mastercabman]

If your talking about under mount tandem guides , I've installed just about every brand & prefer Blum . Stay away from the cheap knock offs. It's worth the extra money for the blum.

+1!!

 

[Old School Carpenter]

If your talking about under mount tandem guides , I've installed just about every brand & prefer Blum . Stay away from the cheap knock offs. It's worth the extra money for the blum.

+1!!

+ 2!! and don't forget the jig, its worth it.

 

[Brice Burrell]

If your talking about under mount tandem guides , I've installed just about every brand & prefer Blum . Stay away from the cheap knock offs. It's worth the extra money for the blum.

+1!!

+ 2!! and don't forget the jig, its worth it.

I don't use these slides enough to buy the jig.  If you're only envisioning using these on one small job forget the jig. 

 

[builderbob]

Also, I believe there is a new jig for the 563 slide locks...the spacing is wider!

Bob

 

[hitandruntz]

Thanks for the help guys, Ive decided on the blum 563 and also getting the jig. Also 5/8 sides and 1/4 bottom. After watching some videos on you youtube  I am actually excited to work with these slides.

 

[rnt80]

+1 on the slides but not for the jig.  I've used/installed Blum slides for a few years and never saw a need for the jig.  I've never predrilled for the clips and have never had an issue because of that.  Additionally, I've found that putting just a moderate amount of pressure when pushing the drawer in place will create two dimples where the back holes for the tabs need to be.  The slides are worth the extra money but I'd spend my cash on something else besides the jig.

 

[barnowl]

I don't use these slides enough to buy the jig.  If you're only envisioning using these on one small job forget the jig. 

I've got a couple of 30" slides to mount, as was all set to buy the jig until I saw the price.

$50 !!!!!  [eek]

For a piece of plastic?

No way.

If it was $10, I'd have gotten it, but I'm sure I can figure it out for the 2 pair that I'm installing.

 

[builderbob]

I don't use these slides enough to buy the jig. If you're only envisioning using these on one small job forget the jig.

I've got a couple of 30" slides to mount, as was all set to buy the jig until I saw the price.

$50 !!!!! [eek]

For a piece of plastic?

No way.

If it was $10, I'd have gotten it, but I'm sure I can figure it out for the 2 pair that I'm installing.

Is there anything blum that is super cheap?

 

[barnowl]

Yeah, some concealed hinges.

I don't mind paying for their slides, as I think they're superior, and last a long time with everyday use.

But $50 for a piece of plastic that will get used for 30 seconds is way over the top.

Quite frankly, they should give it away with slide purchases.

Or realistically, charge a buck or two.

 

[jonny round boy]

But $50 for a piece of plastic that will get used for 30 seconds is way over the top.

Quite frankly, they should give it away with slide purchases.

Or realistically, charge a buck or two.

I have one of these jigs, and to be fair it's not just a piece of plastic. It's high quality glass reinforced plastic, with machined bronze bushes in all the drilling points.

Having said that, I don't think I paid anywhere near $50 for it here in the UK.

+1 on the slides but not for the jig.  I've used/installed Blum slides for a few years and never saw a need for the jig.  I've never predrilled for the clips and have never had an issue because of that.  Additionally, I've found that putting just a moderate amount of pressure when pushing the drawer in place will create two dimples where the back holes for the tabs need to be.  The slides are worth the extra money but I'd spend my cash on something else besides the jig.

I've used that method too, but the jig comes in useful in situations where you have to build the drawers before the slides are fitted. Plus, the tabs often have the point anywhere but in the middle, so if you use that as a guide your hole can be a couple of mm off...

 

[jonny round boy]

Well, I've just done 2 mins research on Google, and Rutlands here in the UK sell that jig for GBP47.85!!!!

Isaac Lord on the other hand sell it for GBP18.96....

That's quite a difference! Both those prices include VAT at 20%, btw.

 

[joiner1970]

I'm just about to buy a few dovetail drawer boxes with undermount runners from Isaac lords. Very helpful people .

 

[johne]

Well, I've just done 2 mins research on Google, and Rutlands here in the UK sell that jig for GBP47.85!!!!

Isaac Lord on the other hand sell it for GBP18.96....

That's quite a difference! Both those prices include VAT at 20%, btw.

In the Netherlands the jig is around 24 Euros including VAT. Finally found something that is actually cheaper here than in the US.  ;D

 

[junk731]

The slides work great, as for the jig I recommend getting it if you plan on any type of production in the the future. The jig isn't just the plastic shown. It comes fitted with steal wear bushings in the pilot holes also with the the drills and adaptors to drill the locking tabs / the back hole. Is it necessary, only if your working with a lot of drawers and you want to speed up the process. The price here in the Toronto area is $32.00 CDN.

John

 

[Old School Carpenter]

My jig also came with both drill bits, and Iirc it was about $40. I installed alot of these slides before buying the jig and it is worth the money.

Mike

 

[Brice Burrell]

My jig also came with both drill bits, and Iirc it was about $40. I installed alot of these slides before buying the jig and it is worth the money.

Mike

Yeah, I've seen offered with the drill bits.  I'd also agree it's a good investment if you'll be doing a lot of these slides.  Now, I just wish I'd not been so cheap and bought one several years ago.  I'm sure it would have been worth while.