I made have missed something...
these clothes do they come with people in them and that's where all the weight is coming from seriously, clothes drawers don't even need slides but if you use slides they would only need to be light duty...

hmmm.... so would you guys say that 100 pound slides would be enough. I mean what maybe 25 pounds on the drawers (tops for a drawer that size) then I still have 75 for the clothes. I see it now. I mean I was just thinking about it and my table saw is 200 pounds... I don't need 200 pound slides

alright so say I was looking at something like this

http://www.drawerslides.com/p/4501.36

it says sold in pairs
10 pairs per box
1 box count

am I getting one for 23 dollars or am I getting 10??

You are getting 1 pair for $23, which for a 36" depth is a good price. From the price and the features list the slides look like a good off brand. I have a design question regarding the size. Think about the position you have to be in order to access the drawers (probably you are ether leaning at the waist, squatting or on your knees) and then think about the reach across the drawer to the far back corner. There will be a tendency for the client to support his body with his arm on the drawer while he reaches and if he needs to reach with both hands he may have to lean out over the drawer which might not be comfortable (there is a reason that drawers are typical wider than they are deep). If you determine the drawer might have to support the upper body weight of a person you will need to adjust the capacity of the slides accordingly. You may want to make him a few mock ups (flat cardboard) of various sizes so he can see if he is comfortable with the size/reach proportions. Just because you have the space (under the bed) doesn't mean it is convenient to use.

37 inch wide drawers sound really cumbersome when you have to bend way down to use them. That being said, the 25 inch drawers will give you roughly 4 cubic feet of space. I doubt they'd have to hold more than 20 or 30 pounds of clothes. A good rule of thumb would be to oversize the glides so that EACH glide is one size larger than the total expected load, so 40 or 50 pound glides would probably be more than enough.

Paul
the little guy

so this poses another question. Are slides rated off of what they can individually handle or what they can handle as a group. So can 100 pound slides handle 50 pounds each or 100 pounds each.

Slides that operate in pairs are rated as a unit, the pair can handle the weight it is rated for .

Sorry, my thumbs seem to have a rule of their own...
What I meant was, a single glide should able to support more that the intended load of both. Thus, an intended load of 25 pounds would require at least a pair rated at 50 - 60 pounds for safety.

Paul
the little suspenders-and-a-belt guy

D.............you are really digging for specific information.

GOOGLE - "Accuride 2632" here's a link as example of the technical info:
http://www2.woodcraft.com/PDF/150184.pdf


I have a 3-ring loose leaf put out by Accuride has all their slide models with technical information. Copywrited 2005.....maybe still available. Entire catalog may be available on the Accuride web site----- www.accuride.com

Big Tiny and JL have you going in the right direction with the size and something function in a cumbersome manner. I'm trying to recall, but I can't remember ever going over a 20" slide......this includes many platform beds with storage as you are showing.

Look into the spec sheets on the web.......KV's and accuride are basicall the same, its an availability issue. Right now my guy is moving to Blum, you use what is inventoried or in this case, the market buzz just happens to bee Blumotion, Accuride also has an undermount...both expensive.

Reiterating............ what your margins and keep your customer's imagaination within your margins, that doesn't always mean they can get what they think they want.

Alright so with all that's been said would you say 150 pound slides would do me good. Just to account for possibly leaning on them and things like that. Since if you lean on something your whole weight isn't on it. Also what's up with slides like these

http://www.drawerslides.com/p/ac4034-28d

until now I've never seen them with those "double runners" for lack of a better way to describe it.

and also is Fulterer a good brand? sorry for all the questions just I know nothing about drawer slides.

i've got another question too

for the grain of the pieces. I know it's plywood but I've always heard to orient the grain in the same way you would with solid wood for structural purposes. but since the bed is 56 inches wide and ply is generally 48... well you get it

Ok this is technical stuff but since the plys are laid up by rotating each layer 90 deg, what you end up with is a panel that is just as strong in tension as it is in compression. Therefore, the direction the plywood is installed does not affect it's strength, which is one (along with reduced movement) of the key assets of plywood.

I have no experience with the brand (at least that I can remember). But I have used off brands (even ones sold at home depot ) without any problems. I understand your desire to fully investigate a product you are unfamiliar with but you should be aware that relying on a forum like this is no substitute for direct experience. People's standards vary and in the end it is you that must stand behind the work that you produce. Claiming to the client that the guys over at the 207 said it would work won't help if something fails . I would recommend you purchase a couple of samples that have a similar spec (one a brand name and another a off brand) and do your own examination and make your own determination on which one to use.

I want to again emphasize the size and proportion issue. I have used deep drawers up to 36" but the drawers are narrow (12" to 16" 'filing cabinets' type drawers). The double decked slides (I don't know another term for them) is a typical design in order to provide the strength to support the cantilevered weight (again a technical strength of materials, statics and cost of manufacturing issue). Why this design is the way it is I have never investigated.

One final note, I could be wrong, but based on the type of questions, it appears that you may be starting your inquires at the forum and not doing some basic research first and then coming here to ask for guidance when you can't find the answers. It is essential that you develop the ability to do basic research on products and technical issues. There will be times when no one is available to help so ultimately you have to develop confidence in your own abilities to sort through these issues. In my opinion a forum like this is best used as a check against your own research to make sure your didn't miss something or get accidentally off track. No matter how deep or broad the knowledge base of the members are they will never be as comprehensive as what is available online and through product support services.

I just had another thought on this project...
With the width of the bed versus the length of traditional drawers, you're left with a great place for a "hideout" for a valuables hidden drawer or three.

(my mind does these things when I don't keep it busy enough)

Paul
the little guy

The biggest problem I have with really large drawers is that you have to do some bracing or use thicker material to prevent the bottoms from sagging. This steals space from your drawers. I have had good luck with Blum drawer slides. I have used the type that hide completely under the drawer box. They are super strong, super smooth, and you can get the cool ones that prevent the drawers from slamming shut. They also clip the drawer into the slide but have latches to remove the drawer box without tools. The only thing you have to watch is the dimensions of the drawers because they have some very specific tolerances and installation requirements. The Blum catalog (on their website) has excellent documentation.

Don't try to buy these from Rockler or you will pay through the nose. I went through a cabinetmakers supply place (I can try to find the exact name for you) and got Blum's top of the line drawer slides (called the Tandem) for about $30 a set.

Steve

Hey 2010 WoodExpo winner............where are you on this project?????

D........when you get a chance how about an update.

Neil

hey Neil

I actually just got the ply today and I am cutting it up as we speak. As for the door. That is on hold since I need to build something else for the same guy that takes a slight priority. The wood for the bed is acclimated so I plan on having that done by early june. then the other project by mid june and hopefully do the doors late june into early july. Sorry I haven't been keeping up with the forum. I'm just wrapping up the term in school now so with finals and things I'm a little swamped. I'm getting to work now though

well Neil all of the cabinets are made and the wood for the drawers and trim and everything is still acclimating. I'll have pictures tomorrow.

Thanks D............we know your talents and are curious. Don't get too crazy, 3 sentences and a photo is all we need or a good question when you got one.

D............Don't think of a post here as a Play-by-Play, a periodic photo or better yet a thought that you pondered or a design revelation during a late night building session.

Neil

I got ya Neil. That's more or less what I was planning to do. Just big accomplishment and final photos as well as questions.

one thing that did pop up last night was.... my shop is smaller than i thought it was ... it's gonna be an interesting build from that perspective. I'll manage but my storage while I'm working often does flow out of the shop a bit