Drawer slides are mechanisms that can be installed on drawers to extend fully or beyond the cabinet’s edge. These slides allow you to effortlessly reach every nook and cranny of your drawer, offering convenience and functionality. That’s why they are handy for storing things, such as workshops or offices.
Proper care and maintenance of drawer slides are necessary to ensure they function properly and last long. By taking the time to maintain your office drawer slide, you can prevent issues such as malfunctioning, damage, and premature wear. Here are five tips to help you properly care for your office drawer slides.
Clean Your Drawer Slides Regularly
You must clean your drawer slides regularly. As the name suggests, a drawer slide allows the drawer to slide out of its cabinet without falling out. Dust and dirt can accumulate on the slides over time, restricting their movement. Cleaning your slides regularly eliminates this buildup, ensuring they can move freely. If you find stains, use a mild cleaning solution to remove them. After cleaning, dry your slides properly before attaching them to the cabinet.
Lubricate Your Slides
While cleaning your office drawer slides is great, lubricating them is equally important. When you lubricate your slides, they glide even smoother, preventing damage due to friction. However, only lubrication designed explicitly for drawer slides, such as dry lubricants, should be used. If you use the wrong lubricant, you may restrict the movement of your slides.
Only apply small amounts of lubricant to your drawer slides. Wipe any excess using a clean cloth, which can attract more dirt. If you want your drawer slides to function properly and last longer, lubricate them twice or thrice yearly.
Inspect Your Drawer Slides
Another useful tip for maintaining your drawer slides is to inspect them regularly. As they get used, drawer slides gradually experience wear and tear. Damaged drawer slides may stop gliding smoothly or find it difficult to keep the drawer shut. However, when you inspect your slides regularly, you can quickly identify signs of damage. Look for cracks or bends in your drawer slides’ roller tracks or ball bearings.
Stick to the Weight Capacity
Drawer slides usually have their weight capacity specified. The weight capacity refers to the maximum weight the slides can handle. When you exceed the weight capacity of your drawer slides, you put excessive strain on them. This strain can lead to cracks or bends in the slide tracks, which hinders their movement.
That’s why you should never exceed the weight capacity of your office drawer slides. Furthermore, don’t place heavy items on one side of the drawer alone. Ensure you distribute the weight evenly across your slides to reduce the strain.
Treat Your Drawers with Care
Another important tip for maintaining your drawers’ slides is treating them with care. Avoid slamming your drawers shut or pulling them open with excessive force. If you don’t, the impact may strain the slides, reducing their functionality. Furthermore, avoid leaving your drawers extended fully to prevent accidentally damaging the slides.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Drawer Slides
Not all drawer slides are created equal. Meanwhile, a good manufacturer of industrial telescopic slides and linear guide rails will ensure these qualities are available. That’s why you must consider some important factors to choose drawer slides that are perfect for you.
Weight Capacity: When choosing drawer slides, consider their weight capacity. If you use your drawer to store light items, such as pens and sheets of paper, you can choose slides with a low-weight capacity. On the other hand, if you store heavy items, choose slides with a high-weight capacity.
Length: Before choosing drawer slides, consider the length of your drawer and cabinet. Measure their lengths to ensure you select slides that fit them perfectly. If you use too long or short slides, they’ll not function properly.
Style: Drawer slides come in various styles. While some can be mounted on the sides of a drawer, others are installed underneath. Before making your choice, consider what style suits your drawer or cabinet.
Conclusion
Reaching an item at the back of a deep drawer is usually difficult. That’s why most office drawers have slides that enable the drawer to extend fully or beyond the cabinet. If you want your drawer slides to function properly and last long, you must take good care of them. Regularly clean and lubricate your slides to ensure they glide smoothly. Furthermore, treat your drawers with care by avoiding slamming them shut.