We're installing four drawers under the kids bunk beds tomorrow. I had a stroke of genius regarding the drawer slides: if we were to mount them using a jig with a slight downward angle (say, a 1" drop over the length of a 27" drawer), then the drawers would have a natural tendency to return to closed. We're using magnetic keepers, so they would stay closed, too.
Can't find anything about this online. Have any of you tried it or seen it tried?
Thanks in advance....
Should work fine all you will have to do is adjust the dwr front for the angle . I have soft close dwr slides with the help of the double mag. closers . On some still had to rig up a lock while on the road . dave
They have to be super low friction slides, which I am too cheap to buy (I buy the ones you get at Home Depot) so I have never got that to work. I never got the magnetic latches to work on the bus, either.
Brian
I bought a bunch of keyed alike cam locks for all of our drawers and cupboards.
The marine world has the good stuff not cheap but it works
Self closing yes BUT what about when you want them to "stay open" while you put things in or get things out??
Just a thought
HTH
Melbo
What are you going to do about the opening angle that is going to take some thought
Works great when you're level. What happens when you're not level? I wouldn't waste my time and space on that idea. Good Luck, TomC
Hello using the home depot slides we installed them with a slight angle (1/16 inch drop to back) . The slides have a built in drop at the back.
WE then used rare earth magnets in the back to hold the drawers shut. It works well. In the kitchen we have the drawers full of pots and stuff. YOu need to watch the rare earth magnets . If you use the large 3/4 magnets the drawers may be too hard to open. ie when you open them you pull to hard causing the drawer to fly out...
WE use 1/2 inch with excellent success. If you have march 2011 bm mag you can see the pictures of the kitchen setup. note the pic just shows the drawers not the magnet setup. WE had one drawer come open during 25K of travel and that was me going onto an overpass turning to the left and not heeding the posted 40 mile sign.. Changing interstates via the overpass. I believe it was in texas near houston.. ..
REgards mike
Quote from: TomC on October 12, 2013, 07:30:51 AMWorks great when you're level. What happens when you're not level? I wouldn't waste my time and space on that idea. Good Luck, TomC
I have the "click button" locks on drawers. Give it a push, it pops out and you can pull the drawer open, no fuss. Close it - if you're parked, just leave it; if you're not level or you're traveling, push the button in to the locked position. Never had a locked drawer come open. never had one close itself when I didn't want it to, never had one open when I didn't want it to.
Simple and easy. BH NC USA
Here are 2 systems you can add to almost any dwr for soft close and push button lock
http://www.leevalley.com/EN/hardware/page.aspx?p=41864&cat=3,43631,43646&ap=1 (http://www.leevalley.com/EN/hardware/page.aspx?p=41864&cat=3,43631,43646&ap=1)
http://www.richelieu.com/en/blumotion-for-metabox-Z700320?fr=rec&search=Z700320 (http://www.richelieu.com/en/blumotion-for-metabox-Z700320?fr=rec&search=Z700320)
about $ 4.00 each for the soft close and $ 14.00 each for the locks less $ in quantity
dave
We just used the Child catches from the depot. Not ideal because when in a hurry to get something I forget they are there and it pulls out about 3/4" before it catches so you can poke your finger in to push it down to open. Still looking for the one I don't have to think about.
I like Ed's idea with the cam locks but with my luck I would lose the key and never see our stuff again!...
Dave5Cs
I have rollers on all my drawers and all I did is drill a hole in the track right in front of where the roller stops (be sure that it is fully in front of the roller). I put a number 4 machine screw with a round head in and rarely have a drawer open. The ones that did open occasionally I would put a screw in the other track as well. A little lift as you open the drawers and no extra work. The pack of screws was less than 5 dollars for all the drawers. Simple cheap and effective.
HTH
Melbo
How big are the drawers? Could small pets possibly get trapped inside? Also I think you may need a more secure latching system with a positive way of keeping the drawers...and the contents.....from flying all over the inside of the Bus Conversion. We had additional internal straps that kept the stuff from banging/vibrating around inside the drawers and cupboards. Made for a more quiet ride. Hope this helps. HB of CJ (old coot)
Dave, not a problem with losing a key. Each lock came with 2 keys, i got 16 locks so i have 32 keys that work! Just happened to break a key the other day, still have 31 keys left. ;D
You buy push to release drawer slides that will hold the drawer closed and no need for catches, etc. I used them on my pantry project. See the blog for more info: www.mightybus.wordpress.com (http://www.mightybus.wordpress.com)
Ed, that will work LOL now if I can just remember where i put them. 1 in the tool box, 1 in the truck, 1 on my key rings etc. I like it!... :D
Dave5Cs
Quote from: Melbo on October 12, 2013, 07:23:41 AM
Self closing yes BUT what about when you want them to "stay open" while you put things in or get things out??
Just a thought
HTH
Melbo
Yep, the boss over ruled my idea for this very reason.
Thanks for the many ideas everyone. Going to try a few out on the many other drawers we have planned. Especially the rare earth magnets and the clever machine-screw-in-the-track idea.
Here one that was used before we got it. 1 screw at the top of each bank of drawers and one at the bottom. Now stretch a Bungee cord from one to another. Hey it worked well just was a bit crude looking. When you get there you take them off. :o
Dave5Cs
RV DRAWER SLIDE
Houck IND. INC
Greenburg, IN.
812 663 5675 211
www.houckind.com (http://www.houckind.com)
950RV Retaining drawer slides
Lift to open.
Will drop down going in.