A client in Bend told me my drawer slides were too tight

They said they had to use two hands to open a kitchen drawer, which was a problem for their elderly mom. I checked my install and realized I was setting the undermount slides with zero play, thinking that was 'perfect'. Now I leave a credit card's thickness of gap when I mount the bracket. The drawers move smooth but don't wobble. Anyone else adjust their slide tolerance after feedback?

4 comments

4 Comments

jade_jenkins28d ago

Honestly that business card trick is genius. I was doing the same thing cramming those slides in tight. Then my aunt couldn't open her spice drawer. Felt like an idiot. Now I leave a tiny gap and everything just glides.

uma_williams2mo agoMost Upvoted

My uncle in Phoenix had the same complaint about his new cabinets. I was setting those undermount slides way too tight for years thinking it meant better quality. That feedback about an elderly person struggling really hits different, you know? Now I keep a spare business card in my tool bag to check the gap. It's a tiny change that makes a huge difference in how the hardware feels. Live and learn, I guess.

violar352mo ago

Yeah, that business card trick is a total lifesaver (I started doing the same thing).

daniel1402mo ago

Two hands just to open a kitchen drawer? That's a level of tight I can't even picture. I was setting mine so firm you could probably lift the whole cabinet by the handle. The business card trick is smart, I'm stealing that for sure.