Hi All,
I took a job to replace a kitchen cabinet and reface several of the existing doors. All the installed hardware was Euro-Blum. I’ve done minor work before but nothing from scratch. The hinges are easy enough to figure out but I could find no information on the size of the drawers with the selected drawer glides. I figured it out but while trying I found out that not even the Blum site offers any installation advice or a link to order a catalog. Local cabinet supply stores were less than helpful. Of 3 pro shops I went to the counter help knew less than I.
I’m getting the impression that the HO’s like my work and this may snowball into some cabinet making jobs pretty soon. I’d like to be prepared so if anyone can direct me to some consice information on Euro and other cabinet specs I’d be most appreciative.
Thanks again,
N
Replies
Drawer sixing is pretty simple for most all of the side-mount slides. That is, 1/2"+0/-1/32" clearance on each side. If it's an epoxy-coated roller type (Blum 230) then the tolerance is a little looser. If you're using a bearing slide (Accuride 3832 or KV 5200) be sure to maintain the tolerance or the slides won't operate well.
As far as specs, I know that Blum offers all the dimensions and clearances in their general catalog, as do most suppliers.
try woodworking.com some articles there by Danny Proulx, he writes an article in cabinetmaker magzine too that is interestind. The slide hardware i use is basically the same as for face frame cabinets, the drawers require a half inch on either side.
I'm not sure what size you want to know other than the height and thickness of the glide. Or are you looking at under-drawer concealed glides? Or the steel drawers?Most novices find the hinges much more confusing with the array of overlays, openings, and mounting plates.
What you need is to find where the shops are buying and convince the wholesaler that you are a real business. Then your salesperson will give you a catalog and a little help. Plan to spend some time deciphering it.
Of course Blum is only one mfg. and each will differ. Everybody I know settles on one brand, usually determined by availability. The wholesaler, and manufacturer, will assume you know what you're doing and won't waste a lot of their time with questions although mine will match up plates with hinges for customers who don't quite understand the catalog. They really aren't in the education business.
Happy hunting.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
If it's Blum 220's/230's, the drawer size = interior width minus 25mm (and get used to the metric because converting from imperial to metric can get you in trouble). For other drawer systems, you need the red Blum bible, avalable from your distributor. The Blum website is no help, as you know, and there are several hinges that are made specifically for the North American market that aren't on the website, or in the bible. If you are in the trade, or trying to be, it's the distributors responsibility to help you with this stuff, even if they get cranky about it. Mine has pretty much every slide and hinge set up and working in their showrrom.cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, N.S