I have use Accuride full extension drawer slides several times and been quite satisfied, but most of the articles that I read now use Blum or another manufacturer. Has anyone used enough different brands of full extension drawer slides to do a good comparison?
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Welcome to Breaktime DoctorDoug!
I'm the same as you, I use Accuride slides a lot. I just came back from AWFS where Blum, Grass, and Salice had large booths showing off their wares. Impressive stuff.
One thing I found out is that when it comes to slides and hinges, the average customer doesn't really care. They want the drawers to open and close smoothly, and the doors to open and close without falling off the hinges. Everything else is gravy. I love adjustable slides! The customer doesn't care. Same thing goes with dovetail drawers. The customer has been conditioned to think dovetail is superior construction and is the only way to go.
Sorry I haven't used more slides to give you a good comparison. You might check out woodweb.com to see if the guys on there have any opinions.
Mitch
Proud member of CMA
http://www.rdwoodworks.com
Blum is probably a bit smoother, and their invisible under drawer ones are super, but you have to consider budget too, so I use Accu a lot more unless it is special work.
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I've only used the KV (Knape & Vogt) brand ones and only in my own kitchen so I have nothing to compare with. I bought a few of these from Lowes and installed them. They are all ball bearing full extension type. My only complaint was that they did not self close and sometimes they would be left open a little. They were so silky smooth though that I looked into the same brand in a self closing version. KV made a self closing one and I bought enough for my whole kitchen. They are great and I have no regrets. Also, they were USA made so that was a consideration too.
Funny, I've found the slides to be more important than the cabinets, to most people. Accurides can be a little stiff, and sometimes the self-closing doesn't work well. I've never had any complaints about Blum undermounts...http://www.tvwsolar.com
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If things loosen up
I've used Grant, Blum, Mepla and KV. Undermount, sidemount, European side mount. 3/4, full extension, and full extension with over travel. 75, 100 and 150lb rated.
My favorite is KV 8405. They are 100lb side mount full extension with over travel. Great slides. If you look at them ask to see the rear mount clips - easy to install and allow for a less than perfectly square drawer or cabinet carcase.
Try to find a builders hardware business in your area. They will have tens of thousands of cubic feet of cabinet and house hardware and knowledgable counter help. I've been dealing with "Western Builder's Supply" in Tacoma, WA (253) 383-4423 since the early 80s and I rely on them to keep me abreast of new hardware or research something for me.
I have used KV & Blum. I settled on Blum and have used them on all my cabinets. I have even used them where I probably should not have, after all a laundry bin is really only a very deep drawer.
The only issue I ever had was getting confused about measurements in the instructions when it switches between fractional & metric. I solved the problem and have a reference note now so it is clear to me.
And I believe most of them are made in the North Carolina for the US market.
I used Accuride up until my supplier stopped carrying them. At that point I switched to Blum. I will never go back as Blum makes my job so much easier.