The drawer slides are required to install drawers. It is used in drawer chests, dressers, and workstations. Every drawer has drawer slides. These drawer slides can be hidden but they are essential to drawers. One example is the ball-bearing slide. But how does a ball-bearing drawer slide work? This article will tell you how it works.
What Are Ball-Bearing Drawer Slides?
Another name for drawer sliders is drawer runners. These drawer runners allow the drawer to move horizontally. A pair of ball slides is provided to the drawers so they can slide in and around the furniture. The ball bearing slides are moved by ball bearings instead of using rollers. The components of the ball bearing slides are 3 parts. There are three components to the ball-bearing slides: cabinet, intermediate, or drawer. The drawer is attached to the cabinet by attaching it to the ground or a stable surface.
How Ball-Bearing Drawer Slide Work?
Ball-bearing sliding drawers have less friction and slide more easily in their place. A drawer that is simply inserted into furniture will not work. The drawer will still be possible to close and open, but it will have a lot more friction. The drawer and furniture can be damaged by excessive friction. This is where the ball-bearing slides come in. They enable drawers to open and close smoothly, reducing friction.
Most sliding drawers use ball-bearing slides. The drawers are usually made from long and narrow metal housing units. These small balls can be placed alongside the tracks to allow drawers to move. The ball bearings keep the drawers away from rubbing against furniture pieces. The intermediate parts of the pair are called the ball bearings. The first set interfaces with the cabinet grooves while the second set interfacing with the drawer grooves.
As the component amplifies the drawer moves directly between the intermediate and primary components. The drawer will fully open when it reaches its endpoint. Similar to a two-roller, the ball orientation in each groove of the component gives it horizontal rigidity and allows for a leveled open.
Most household furniture uses ball-bearing slides, from dressing cabinets to industrial machinery. Ball bearings have higher durability and are better at carrying heavy loads than plastic slides. The ball bearings can be fitted in the grooves on all components, making them capable of moving at various angles.
Types Of Ball Bearing Slide Drawers
Soft Closing Ball Bearing Slides
In the last decade, soft-closing ball bearings have seen a huge demand. DIYs prefer ball-bearing drawers because they are more cost-effective and last longer. The maximum weight that the drawer can carry is 100 pounds. Hydraulic dampers are installed to prevent the drawer from closing too quickly and causing any damage. The springs are used to close the drawer smoothly. Rail cushions protect the drawer from friction and noise. These are usually used in the kitchen.
Self-Closing Ball Bearing Drawer Slides
This type of drawer closes automatically when you take it out. This drawer is very convenient because you don’t need to close it. It also features rail cushions that stop friction and clinking noises. The drawer can be fully opened, but some cabinets may need to open beyond their maximum extension. The drawers can support 100 pounds. They are used mostly in medical carts and industrial furniture.
Heavy Duty Ball Bearing Drawer Slides
Heavy-duty, ball-bearing drawer slides are recommended if drawers need to hold more weight. You can choose from four types of ball-bearing slides. They are:
- Light Duty – Up to 50 Pounds
- Medium duty – 50 – 100 pounds
- Heavy-duty – 100 – 500 pounds
- Ultra duty – 500 pounds and more
The heavy-duty, ball-bearing drawers can be fully opened thanks to their full-opening capability. Some drawers are equipped with locking features. They can store weights up to 100 pounds. They are used in factory workshops where heavyweights are carried. They are the same type of drawers used to install RVs.
