full drawer extentions

[Mike Swaga]

I've seen full drawer extensions placed in the middle, bottom and even top of the sides of the drawers. Anyone know if there is a set "rule" for placement or is it up to the individual? Thx Mike

[Jay Boutwell]

Mike, interesting topic with drawer slides.  Although full extension drawer slides will work when located at any location on the drawer as long as there is not an obstruction within the cabinet box, it is my preference to locate the drawer slide at the bottom of the drawer.  The  reasons that it is my preference is that it is not only a clean look when the drawer is open, the drawer rides smooth and is a stronger assembly as the downward pressure on the drawer stresses the drawers sides.  Since the connection to the drawer to the slides is with screws all the pressure is exerted downward on the drawer side  at the point where you attach the screws.  We must remember that the drawer strength is depending on the construction of the drawer and it materail quality, but also how it is connected to the cabinet frame and the drawer its self.  This is why a drawer with a proper  dato inserted bottom is stronger that one with the bottom nailed or stapled on to the bottom.   The downward pressure of the drawer contents meets a far more resistance to splitting of the wood fibers that would it if if the resistance was a nail or staple being pushed out of the drawer side.  (more wood fiber resisting the pressure, the stronger the connection)  Most of the common drawer slides for kitchen drawers with have a weight rating of 75# to 100# far more that what the drawer will likely hold.  This will do us no good if we attach it where the drawer slides split out and drop the drawer down.     

 Think of it this way, if you were building a roof on a building and the roof framing is 2x6 lumber.  Because of the roof load from not only the roofing material and sheeting but it is multiplied by wind pushing on the roof and weather conditions such as snow loads  there is greater force downward on the roof than there is upward forces. Because of this it is critical where and how you fasten the framing together.   In nailing the roof pieces together it is a stronger roof if you nail from the bottom edge of the lumber at a point of say 1" and nail up towards the  top to a point of somewhere about 1 1/2" from the top.  The stronger sheer nail will be the ones located towards the bottom as the wood fiber above the top of the nail are pushing down onto nail and not trying to split the wood fibers. Therefore with this in mind the stronger drawer slide combination is when it is attached near the bottom.