Weight Rating is an important consideration because you want to have a drawer slide that lasts for a lifetime of use. The key to getting your money’s worth is to ensure that you are getting a product that is rated to hold as much weight as you will require.
In general, most slides are rated to hold 75, 100 or 150 pounds. This is a key consideration in places like the kitchen where heavy cooking pots & pans could easily break down lesser slides. OVIS offers you expert guidance on the usage and installation of heavy duty drawer slides which can handle up to 500 lbs. or more of static load.
Drawer slide weight ratings are determined following the specifications of the following standards programs. In general, all drawer slides are rated based on an 18-inch length. Longer slides will have less weight capacity, slides shorter than 18" will have a higher capacity, and the really short 8-10" can have less capacity. Consult list the below listed governing bodies for details.
There are two types of load ratings that exist. The load rating must include the weight of the drawer as part of the total load to consider.
1. Static Load: The weight limit of the drawer without cycling. The slide should support the load without buckling
2. Dynamic Load: This load is determined by cycling a weighted drawer for a specified number of cycles. The slide should function with minimal changes to the required opening and closing force throughout the test.
In general, load ratings are for a 450mm (18 in.) long drawer slide on a 450mm (18 in.) wide drawer. The test drawer is pulled open from the center of the drawer and cycled to a predetermined number of cycles according to industry standards. Factors such as speed, number, and frequency of cycles, the stopping force, distance traveled, excessive vibration, unevenly distributed loads, improper installation, and abuse can cause premature failure and reduce the performance and life expectancy of the drawer slides.
Testing Body Standards
- ANSI/BIFMA X5.5-2008 American National Standards Institute/Business Industrial Furniture Manufacturers Association
- ANSI/KCMA A161.1-2006 American National Standards Institute/Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association
- ANSI-BHMA A 156.9-2010 American National Standards Institute/Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association
- NSF/ANSI 2 Food Equipment National Sanitation Foundation (International)/American National Standard Institute
- SEFA-8-2007 Scientific Equipment and Furniture Association
- WI Woodworking Institute (California)
Please note that the above standards are not released publicly, you must be a member of the association to view the details of the copyrighted standards.
Disconnects
Disconnects are the mechanisms that allow you to remove a drawer from its housing. There are three common types of disconnects: lever, rail, and friction. Each one is a little different depending on the brand:
- Lever disconnects feature an internal lever that, when depressed, allows the drawer to slide out freely.
- Rail disconnects feature a latch that enables you to raise the drawer up off the slide to pull it away from the desk or cabinet in which it is housed.
- Friction disconnects, unlike lever and rail disconnects, do not require the manipulation of a latch or lever but simply allow you to open your slide against the force of the ball bearing holding it.
- OVIS also offers a variety of locking drawer slides. Some have slightly more complicated release mechanisms and are ideal for mobile applications such as use in an RV.
Colors
- There are also a few options on the color or look of the drawer slides you desire.
- The majority of slides offered in the industry today come in a metallic zinc finish, which keeps them from getting corroded in relatively non-humid environments.
- Some brands are starting to offer black drawer slides which blend well with dark or black stained wood.
- OVIS also carries some chromated steel drawer slides which provide your drawer slides a more polished look.
- Don’t forget, there are always undermount slides as well if you would like to highlight the natural features of the drawer wood itself.
Brands
While there are many brands of drawer slides in the business over the past 25+ years in business OVIS has strived to only offer products from the best manufacturers, who we know will satisfy your needs. Here are some of the trusted brands of drawer slides we offer: