My client wants a sliding shelf, which will be open and visible in the kitchen. We have used Blum tandem slides elsewhere in the kitchen and would like to use them for the sliding shelf.
The problem is while Blum is an undermount slide and thus most of it is hidden, the upper 1/3 of the metal runners which affix to the cabinet sides are visible without a drawer box to hide it. Is it possible to trim the metal runners without affecting slide operation or weight capacity? Has anyone ever done this?
Thanks.
Edited 8/29/2009 5:31 pm ET by tommyreno
Replies
Have you considered making the drawer box sides 1/8" thinner than standard and making a thin wood cover to fit over the slide?
Thanks for the suggestion. I'm considering that. What gives me pause is that on one side, the slide will be attached to an existing cabinet which is already installed. Trying to rout out a cavity for the Blum slide to fit could be done, I suppose, but it would be harder than if it were a box not yet built.As an alternative to Blum tandem, I'm considering using an Accuride 9301 slide, which is a heavy duty slide that can be flat mounted and has a 150 lb rating when mounted that way. It would be relatively easy to install. However, it's twice as much money as Blum and I've never used this slide before so I don't know how well it works. For example, it doesn't have soft close. My client thinks the Blum tandems are nice, so that's why I was trying to accommodate them. But maybe the Accuride is the way to go.
Why not just use a true undermount slide? There are good ones available from Blum, and from others.
I won't be laughing at the lies when I'm gone,
And I can't question how or when or why when I'm gone;
I can't live proud enough to die when I'm gone,
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here. (Phil Ochs)
The blum tandem is their true undermount slide. It sounds like he is trying to conceal the part that mounts to the inside of the cabinet, though maybe I read his intention wrong.
You got it right.
I'm considering using an Accuride 9301 slide, a heavy duty slide that can be flat mounted. It seems to be my best option, as it is 3/4" thick. If you have other ideas for undermount slides, let me know. I was drawn to the Accuride because, while it's expensive, it's pretty equivalent to Blum's weight load rating when flat mounted. I found some other undermount slides, but they had much lower weight ratings. Or they were way too thick. The Accuride is 3/4" thick, which is about the max I can do.It's sounding like I should pay the $$ and go with the Accuride and hope it will operate nearly as smoothly as the Blum.
I've had good luck with Acuride products.And I agree that spending the $$ now (versus after you've been disappointed) is the right idea.
I won't be laughing at the lies when I'm gone,
And I can't question how or when or why when I'm gone;
I can't live proud enough to die when I'm gone,
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here. (Phil Ochs)
Is building up the shelf, so that it tops out up at sidemount height, an option?
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"A stripe is just as real as a dadgummed flower."
Gene Davis 1920-1985
Unfortunately, no. Due to the design, the shelf needs to be no more than 1 1/4" high.
Could you use a sliding setup that's intended to be exposed? Like this:
http://www.slideoutshelvesllc.com/microwave_shelf.htm
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