A client called out my drawer slide install method and they were right

I was putting in undermount slides on a kitchen job, using my usual trick of setting them with a 1/8 inch spacer from the cabinet side. The homeowner, who had done some woodwork before, pointed out that my method was causing the drawer fronts to sit unevenly on one side. He was specific, saying 'the gap is tight on the left but has a visible line on the right.' I checked and he was totally correct. Now I use a combo square to mark the exact center point for each slide before drilling. It adds maybe two minutes per drawer but the fit is perfect every time. Has anyone else had a simple tip from a client completely fix a hidden flaw in their process?

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grant_wilson725mo ago

Ever think that center point might still drift if the cabinet box itself isn't perfectly square? I've been burned by that. Your combo square method is solid, but I always check the cabinet's inside width at both the front and back now. If it's out, I'll shim the slide on the mounting screw to compensate. That true center line can be a moving target.

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the_dylan5mo ago

Nah, I get what you're saying, but I just mark the center at the front where the drawer goes. If the box is that out of whack, I feel like you've got bigger problems to fix first (you know, before even hanging the slides).

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