Sidewalls with roller guides FIRMAX (metaboxes)

Types of ball guides

Despite the simplicity of their design, ball guides can have different shapes and a unique set of functions. Theoretically, they can be divided according to the following characteristics:

• availability of the possibility of disassembly into collapsible and non-dismountable;
• the number of so-called steps (there are two-section and multi-section);
• the type of construction itself is single-level and multi-level.

Typically, the cost of non-separable mechanisms is slightly lower than their fragmentable counterparts. But the whole point is that when installing the latter, it is necessary to use special methods for producing rails and methods for attaching balls to them. It is with the help of these balls that the device can be assembled and disassembled freely without the danger of losing small parts.

The price issue may also vary depending on the number of stages provided and the number of levels that are used in the system. That is, the more complex the design of the mechanism itself, the higher the price.

DIY drawer

The assembly of the box is largely determined by the individuality of the craftsman who chooses certain tools. That is why all existing instructions will differ from each other in one way or another. Some craftsmen use templates, some do not, some craftsmen work only with clamps, and some consider them a waste of time.

In this regard, the sooner you develop your own manufacturing style, the better it will affect your work.

Available materials

To install the drawer you will need the following tools:

• laminated chipboard (chipboard);
• drill and screwdriver (you can choose one);
• hexagon;
• drill;
• self-tapping screw;
• guides;
• awl;
• measuring square;
• ruler;
• pencil.

Prices for the range of drills

Drill

Step-by-step instruction

Step 1. The first and one of the most important stages in making a box is the correct marking. In order for the parts to connect, the conformation must be located in two places - below and above.

There should be two holes for future screws, as well as markings

The holes should be equidistant from the edges of the side panel

Step 2: Take a 50mm template and make a mark on the top and bottom of the board. It is not recommended to measure less than 50 millimeters, since the fittings can split the chipboard.

When creating a box, you can work without a template, but it greatly simplifies the work

Step 3. Measure half the thickness of the material from which you are assembling the box. For such purposes, it is also convenient to use a template. Repeat this procedure for the top and bottom marks.

The template performs several useful functions at once when making a box

Step 4. To prevent the drill from going away during work, tap a hole at the intersection of the two marks using a screwdriver or any other sharp object.

The hole will be needed for further drilling with a drill.

Step 5. Align the parts of the future box using a template.

Before using the drill, make sure the sides of the box are not warped.

Step 6. Take the drill and press its tip into the indentations already made to fix the tool. While drilling, try to hold the drill straight so that the hole left by it will help the guides fit correctly.

You need to drill the hole gradually so that it comes out neat.

Step 7. Insert the screwdriver into the conformat bit, then insert the conformat itself and position it in place of the hole, smoothly placing it into the recess. If you find that the box has become skewed while placing the conformat, press it out using a hand hexagon and straighten the sides, then clamp it back. To avoid inconvenience, you can use corner clamps, which will immediately give the box the correct angle of inclination.

Insert conformat into the hole made

Step 8. Turn the box over and do the same procedure with the second hole.

Repeat with the second mark

Step 9. Once all other sides of the box have been drilled using the same method, check the diagonals to make sure they match each other.

The side panels folded together should be perpendicular to each other.

Step 10. Screw the bottom to the box, first leveling it. You can use an MDF board (six) as the bottom. If desired, the plate can be coated with enamel.

Fiberboard is often used as a bottom for drawers

Video - How to assemble a drawer

Advantages of ball guides

Unlike other drawer pullout mechanisms, this type has many clear advantages. Among them are:

• affordable price;
• smooth running, especially in contrast to regular old wooden guides;
• high strength and build quality;
• durability, wear resistance;
• ease of installation.

Full extension ball guides are used in various furniture: chests of drawers, cabinets, kitchen furniture, tables and various other retractable structures.

Installation of hidden guides

So, each set of guides manufactured by Blum, Hettich, and so on, is accompanied by a hardware installation diagram, in accordance with which it is recommended to carry out installation.

Schematic illustration of the installation process

In general, installation of Boyard, Bloom, etc. fittings is done as follows:

1. At the bottom of the box, the fastening points of the guides are marked with a guide lock in accordance with the recommendations of specialists specified in the instructions;
2. the clamps are secured with self-tapping screws (included with the hardware kit);

Placement and fastening of the clamp for the guide bar

1. opposite the clamps, holes are drilled for a latch hook, the size completely corresponding to this element of the retractable system;
2. guide strips are installed;

Role in furniture production

And although the useful properties of telescopic devices have been evaluated in various fields of activity, such mechanisms are mainly used in the process of manufacturing various furniture.

One example of such an application is wardrobes using folding hanger rods, various cabinets for shoes and chests of drawers, and cabinets with drawers. That is, any furniture that allows you to save space or increase the comfort of using furniture.

It is worth noting that ball guides have a positive effect not only on convenience, but also on the efficiency of using furniture. After all, getting and putting things away is much easier and more comfortable, and free access makes it possible to take up useful space in the closet.

Selection of accessories

The key to long-term use of hidden guides is primarily the correct choice of fittings. To choose the right mechanism for a drawer, you need to consider:

• overall dimensions of fittings;
• maximum load;
• variety;
• manufacturing company.

Types of guides

Concealed mounting guides can be:

Ball guides are made of two or more metal profiles connected to each other using rolling balls (cage).

Hidden ball-type guide device

The advantages of this mechanism are the complete absence of noise during operation, the possibility of regulation and the ability to use with loads of up to 60 kg - 65 kg. A significant disadvantage is the high cost of fittings.

The roller mechanism is a simpler and cheaper design. The guides consist of two metal strips, at the ends of which rollers are installed to facilitate the movement process.

Calculated box dimensions

To properly install the full extension ball slides, several steps are required. Some requirements must be observed, especially if you create furniture yourself.

Primary requirements:

1. In retractable structures without taking into account the facade, the width should be 26 mm less than the width of the attachment point. Thus, there must be a gap of 13 mm on each side in order to install the guides.
2. The length of the drawer and the length of the extension device itself must match exactly. On average, this is from 25 to 80 cm. Intermediate sizes are usually made in increments of 5 cm. Moreover, this design usually does not reach the back wall of the cabinet by approximately one centimeter.
3. Unlike previous measurements, nothing affects the height of retractable containers except the desire of the owners. Typically this is from 80 to 250 mm. However, this indicator may differ significantly upward.

Content

• 1 Metaboxes, height 54 mm 1.1 Additive size
• 1.2 Drawer installation diagram and calculation of the size of the drawer bottom and back wall
• 1.3 Dimensions of the non-pull-out part of the drawer and the minimum depth of the cabinet

Installation of guides

In order to install these devices, it is necessary to remove their inner part, for which you should press the black antennae. Both halves of the guides are attached to the outer side of the drawer and to the inner surface of the cabinet, chest of drawers or other furniture.

Algorithm of actions:

1. First of all, you should decide on the direct mounting location. To do this, mark the fastening line on the outside of the drawer side. It can be done in the center, or it can be done on the bottom. One half of the ball structure must be attached to this marking line using screws.
2. On the inside of the cabinet itself, it is necessary to make a similar marking in the form of a line. The location of this marking directly depends on the height of the box. The remaining halves of the guides must be screwed into place. After this, the drawer can be placed in place, check the free movement of the mechanism during extension and closing.

It is worth noting that there are quite a few different holes on both halves of this mechanism. And each of them has its own purpose. Thus, oblong horizontal holes are necessary for the purpose of moving and adjusting the guides horizontally. And the oblong vertical holes are for adjusting and moving the bar up and down.

After the final adjustment has been made, screws or self-tapping screws must be screwed into special round holes in order to firmly fasten the main elements of the ball guides.

Usually the whole process in practice looks like this:

1. The bottom rails should be installed approximately 30mm from the bottom of the cabinet.
2. Depending on the dimensions of the drawer fronts, the location of the remaining parts will also vary. During operation, they should not touch or rub against each other. Therefore, during installation, it is necessary to take this into account by making the distance between the guides, which are installed on the cabinet wall, 2-3 mm greater than the height of the facade of the retractable structure itself.
3. The guide parts must be screwed strictly along the intended marking line.
4. After the parts are temporarily secured, you should try to insert the drawer into place through the oblong holes. If the previous steps are performed correctly, you will hear a slight click that occurs when the latch is activated. This means that the guides can be permanently secured through round holes. If you do not hear a click, then you need to make adjustments by slightly moving all the parts up and down, as well as back and forth. Before making adjustments, you should slightly loosen the mounting screws.

DB4461 is a modern model of ball drawer guides, which is equipped with a soft closing mechanism using a soft closer. This mechanism makes it possible to fully extend the drawer, gaining access to all its contents. In this case, smooth closing is carried out using an oil closer.

On average, this mechanism can withstand at least 50 thousand closings and openings. The device is designed for a weight of up to 25 kg, while it is absolutely silent in operation. There are other models of similar devices, which makes it possible to completely select the mechanism depending on your needs.

Kinds

When choosing furniture guides, you need to pay attention to various factors. The most important parameter is the type of design, according to which they can be roller or ball, and also be equipped with a closer and have a reverse action. Each option has both advantages and disadvantages, so to make the right choice you should study the characteristics of each type.

Roller

The choice of these furniture guides is considered the most popular. They appeared on the market more than 15 years ago, and quickly became in demand among furniture manufacturers and ordinary users.

Roller guides for drawers have many advantages:

• Do not require the use of lubricating pastes and other compounds;
• Ensure smooth movement of boxes;
• They are easy to install, since there is no need to drill numerous holes for fasteners.

Such furniture guides are installed on both sides of the recess allocated for the drawer. Slight deviations in furniture and drawer dimensions are allowed. Even if small errors were initially made in the installation, the design can be adjusted. The length of the roller guides can vary from 200 mm to 600 mm.

Ball

Ball guides are considered quite popular due to their smooth running and ability to withstand significant loads. In addition, they are in an affordable price range. Such telescopic guides can be equipped with closers or produced without them. They consist of two elements, one is attached to the drawer, and the other is attached to the side wall of the furniture. To disconnect them, you need to press a special lock.

There are many models of ball furniture guides that differ in height, which can vary from 17 to 45 mm. Additionally, they differ in the degree of extension. The most popular designs are those whose height reaches 45 mm. They can withstand a load of up to 36 kg, so even large and heavy items can be stored in the drawers.

With door closer

Guides for drawers with closers are considered interesting. They are similar in design to the previous version, the only difference is that these elements are equipped with a closer and dampers. Due to the former, the drawer is picked up in a certain position, after which it smoothly closes independently, without any effort on the part of the person.

The damper ensures that the drawer closes smoothly and silently. Additionally, it acts as a shock absorber, so that even if significant force is applied to close the drawer, strong impacts and noise are prevented.

Designs with a closer are considered reliable and comfortable to use. They can withstand significant loads, which is why they are popular among furniture manufacturers.

Full extension

Full extension slides are popular modern designs. They are based on a special ball bearing. This system ensures complete and smooth opening of any drawer. To use such a retraction system you will have to make some effort.

Guides that ensure full drawer extension are available on the market in numerous models; the choice depends on the planned load. The installation of such fittings should be carried out with extreme caution, since careless handling can cause damage to the integrity of various parts.

Hidden mounting

Installation of guides of this type is considered the most difficult and time-consuming. But this fittings are becoming more and more in demand, as they are convenient to use. The design is equipped with a closer and a reverse action system.

The undeniable advantage of these furniture elements is that they are installed under the bottom of each drawer, so you get the feeling that the object is floating in the air. Other advantages include good reliability of the products, and the movement of the box is smooth and free of extraneous unpleasant sounds. The drawer closes softly and quietly.

Initially, such fittings were installed only on solid wood products, but today they are equipped with structures made of chipboard and MDF. Depending on the model, such guides can withstand loads of up to 50 kg.

Reverse action

Such guides are similar in principle to fittings equipped with closers. The only difference is that the drawer opens by lightly pressing the front with your hand.

A significant advantage of this design is that it is not equipped with any handles or recesses for control. It has an attractive appearance and also allows you to integrate the box into any part of the structure. Often used in the production of furniture in modern styles, where it is important that the glossy surface is not disturbed by any fittings.

It is better not to use reverse action guides for children's furniture. They cause the drawer to pull out abruptly and can injure the child. In addition, pushing such a box will require significant effort.

Tandemboxes and metaboxes

Such fittings appeared on the market relatively recently, but quickly became in demand. Design features include:

• The guide is located directly inside the metal side wall;
• Equipped with a closer;
• Dampers are definitely used.

An important advantage of such fittings is the ability to withstand really significant loads. This is especially true in relation to products in which the guides are installed in a hidden manner.

Another advantage of such elements is their interesting design; they fit well into furniture made in various styles and sizes. Due to excellent performance characteristics, the products are easy to use and have a long service life. In order for the installation to be carried out correctly, it is necessary to use special marking devices. They help to accurately determine the location of the guides and avoid distortions.

I would especially like to mention Bloom's guides. They combine many advantages inherent in various types of furniture fittings. Due to the complexity of the design and ease of use, the cost of such products is considered quite high. Therefore, tandem boxes are usually used in luxury interior items made from natural wood or other similar expensive materials.

Helpful installation tips

It should be noted that many people often confuse ball drawer slides with their roller counterparts. Therefore, when choosing a mechanism, you should pay attention to many factors. Thus, roller products are mainly painted white. In this case, the drawer is pulled out using plastic wheels. Experts say that these devices are less convenient and wear-resistant, so they are not worth installing. During operation, you can often hear a squeak, and the plastic wheels often break down over time and also fly out of the guides themselves.

If the bottom of the box is inserted into special grooves, then it is better to secure it using thin self-tapping screws with edges. Otherwise, the contents may begin to fall out along with the bottom. In case of heavily loaded drawers, a double set of guides can be used.

Which retractable mechanism to choose

When choosing a mechanism, you need to consider three things: budget, expected load, design. The choice depends only on the consumer. If you want furniture without handles, a reverse ball system is suitable. If you want to get a super economy, you should choose standard roller guides.

Types of furniture components, selection criteria

If significant loads are planned, ball guides or hidden installation options are recommended (here it is also worth considering how much the bottom can withstand). Those who have an unlimited budget can choose tandem boxes. It is also worth considering the safety and depth of the structure. As already mentioned, reverse action guides are not recommended for children. And the depth determines how far the fittings can extend the drawer. If you take deep furniture, for example, 900 mm, it is better to give preference to full extension systems and tandem boxes. In terms of product quality, it is better to focus on the market leaders - Boyard, Blum, TBM, Hettich, Braun or Raumplus.

Reverse ball system suitable for furniture without handles

Standard roller guides are worth choosing for super-economy

For significant loads, ball guides are recommended

If the budget is not limited, choose tandem boxes

Lower kitchen section with four drawers.

Indexed html links, end-to-end placement, prominent places in the top.
Dimensions of the kitchen section (cabinet).

• Height: 820 mm.
• Body depth: 560 mm.
• Width: from 300 to 600 mm. in increments of 50 mm.

Dimensions of facades.

• Height: 176 mm (4 pcs.)
• Width: 296 – 596 mm. (in increments of 50 mm.)

Front view, drawing.

The drawing shows: the dimensions of the facades, the gaps between them, the dimensions of the drawers (metaboxes) and the dimensions for their installation.

In this section, as an example of retractable elements, metaboxes of size 550*150 are used. The metabox assembly is shown below.

The red line next to the size number indicates the edge. This means that this end of the part is the front (visible) and it must be lined with a furniture edge. If there are two lines, this means that both ends of the part of the corresponding size are covered with an edge.

In the given detailing of the kitchen section (module), the dimensions are indicated without taking into account the thickness of the edge.

There is no need to take into account the thickness of furniture edges up to 0.6 mm in the size of the part . The part size will need to be reduced by the appropriate edge thickness if the edge, such as ABS, is going to be 1 or 2mm thick. For example: part width 400 mm, edge thickness 2 mm. It is necessary to paste over both ends of the part. Then the width of the part must be adjusted taking into account the thickness of the edge. Those. it will be 400 - 2 mm. – 2 mm. = 396 mm.

Name.

Metaboxes for the kitchen

The development of modern technologies affects absolutely all areas of life. It is reflected in almost everything - new, more convenient objects, furniture, and fittings appear. They are created taking into account all new production technologies, which means their quality and convenience for the end consumer increases. In proportion to the increase in these characteristics, the buyer's demands also increase. That is, it gives an incentive to develop further.

Kitchen utensils have also developed. A striking example of such development is the metabox - a special system of sidewalls and guides, which is designed to facilitate the use of drawers, making it almost silent and fast. They will make it much easier to pull out any drawer, as well as extend its service life. When ordering furniture in Cherkassy, ​​they can design a kitchen for you with just such a set.

How is metabox convenient?

Not such an innovation in the world of furniture, the metabox quickly gained popularity among buyers immediately after its appearance. It is used in many items that have retractable drawers - chests of drawers, cabinets. But the metabox built into the kitchen set earned the most favor from buyers.

Drawers in cabinets or cabinets are often opened to get this or that seasoning, spoon, fork, chocolate bar or anything else that any housewife cannot do without. An ordinary old-style drawer, which rests on ordinary wooden slats, makes a nasty grinding noise when pulled out. That is, you won’t be able to open it quietly. In addition, such boxes, as a rule, do not last long - the somehow attached slats simply cannot withstand the load and fall off. Or the bottom of the drawer (it is usually thin) simply wears off. But there are disadvantages besides short service life and noise. Such a box can be very difficult to open, especially when there is something heavy in it. The frictional force plays against the owner, pressing the box against the guide with great force.

Metabox can solve all three of these problems. It is quite easy to install and serves the customer for many years, significantly simplifying the daily cooking process. Since the metabox is made of high-quality metal, it will last significantly longer than wooden boxes. A convenient system on rollers will make its extension faster and easier - the friction force, although it presses down on the small wheels, does not make them slip. They spin and the drawer is easier to pull out. This also reduces the noise level.

An additional advantage of the metabox is the fact that its walls are noticeably thinner and stronger than the walls of conventional boxes. That is, it will fit much more kitchen utensils than any of its wooden “brothers”. A kitchen drawer simply must be strong and reliable, capable of withstanding considerable weights. After all, they can store not only practically weightless bags of spices, but also metal utensils, and sometimes heavy bags of flour, sugar, and various cereals. The main condition is that you do not need to exceed the permissible weight limit. As a rule, a metabox can support approximately 10-20 kilograms of weight. The shorter the box, the more it can hold. But for each model it is better to clarify individually.

Additionally, you can add an automatic closer to the metabox system - it will gently push the box into place, which will make it even easier to use.