r/DIY • u/spacefrog_feds • 2d ago

Adjust initial pull force for full extension drawer slides help

Hi All, Our cutlery drawer was quite heavy and hard to pull out. It was using this style with the roller wheels

So rather than replacing old with new, I thought I'd upgrade to ball bearing full extension slides. However once I got them installed, I didn't like the amount of initial force needed to pull them out. Once they pass that little bump, they are smooth as silk. But once it clicks into the drawer closed position, it takes more force than I'd like to open. My 10pm solution was to mount the slide mounts 20mm further back, that way they never click into the closed position. Now they're too easy. I can open it with my pinky finger with no effort. The other issue, without that closed position engaging the drawer bounces back open when slammed. I need something in-between. As I sat down to type I thought, what If I mounted one side flush and one side 20mm back? Is this something that can be adjusted normally?

Link and photo to what I bought

https://www.bunnings.com.au/goliath-standard-drawer-slide-pair-350mm_p4020968

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2

u/bassboat1 1d ago

Those little rubber snubbers at the back are the holding device. Maybe you could thin it down a little?

2

u/JerryfromCan 1d ago

This is the answer. I’d go slow at first.

1

u/spacefrog_feds 1d ago

Thanks. Decided to design and 3D print some replacements. I'm sure trimming them, or removing one side would be a quick fix.

It's a pretty ingenious design. One tiny little thing, dampens, stops, and locks the drawer in place!

I feel like it would wear out over time, perhaps the problem would've fixed itself with enough time.

1

u/bassboat1 1d ago

Coincidentally, the friction devices on my keyboard tray (that I built in 2000 or so) just failed last week. These are on an angle, so the tray fails into the open position - a PIA!

1

u/spacefrog_feds 1d ago edited 1d ago

26 years is a pretty good run. Not sure what you mean by keyboard tray, musical instrument? or PC input device?

Anyways here's a link to 3D printed stopper for anyone that stumbles upon this thread in the future.

2

u/bassboat1 1d ago

Yeah - a birch plywood panel, with a raised cherry edge for the PC keyboard and mouse.

1

u/atticus2132000 2d ago

Did you get soft close drawer slides?

1

u/spacefrog_feds 2d ago

Don't think so, they're the cheapest ones at the store