Need help with a tricky drawer slide install on a built-in desk

I'm working on a built-in desk for a home office in Portland and the client wants full extension slides on the file drawers. The problem is the side walls are only 1/2 inch ply because of space, and the slides need a 5/8 inch side space. Last week I tried shimming them out with some maple strips I had, but it made the drawer box too tight. Has anyone run into this with modern undermount slides? I'm thinking of routing a shallow channel in the drawer side instead. What would you guys do?

3 comments

3 Comments

james27923d ago

Man, what about switching to a different style of slide altogether? Those full extension ones always need so much room. Have you looked at any of the low profile side mount options? Sometimes they'll work with thinner material because the whole mechanism sits differently. Or is the client dead set on that specific undermount look?

ninasanchez23d ago

Had a client insist on undermount once. Nightmare.

coleman.jade22d ago

Actually, routing that channel is a SOLID plan. I've done it before with half inch Baltic birch and it works great. You just need to be super careful with your depth.