Heavy Duty VS Regular Drawer Slides
Are you confused between heavy duty drawer slides and regular drawer slides? Do you want to know which one can be the best choice for your purpose? If yes, you are in the right place. It might be difficult for you to choose the best piece of furniture hardware without any experience. You can end up buying the wrong product if you do not know the key considerations. In the following, we will discuss regular and heavy duty drawer slides. We will cover the differences and usage. Keep reading to know which one can be a suitable choice for your project.
About Heavy Duty Drawer Slides
These slides can be a perfect choice if you want a drawer slide to take more weight. Yes, it is one of the main advantages of these drawer slides. You can consider this option for your heavy toolboxes that can store modular drawers. You can say that these slides are the best for projects related to canopies, caravans, or camper trailers.
When it comes to weight, these slides can withstand up to 450lbs weight. Also, cold-rolled steel material is used to manufacture these slides. The material and design make the end product durable and super strong. Another benefit is that these slides can withstand wear and tear. You can use them for years, even in harsh conditions. You can expect more lasting results from these slides due to their size. Also, they are thicker and will not be destroyed fast by rust and corrosion. However, you will have to spend more on this option compared to the regular drawer slides.
Features
- Heavyweight makes these slides no disconnectable
- Available in non-locking and locking mechanisms
- Thick and large
- Withstand Heavyweight
- Last longer in harsh environments
- Best for the industrial use
Regular Drawer Slides
From the name itself, you might have realized that regular options are designed for home-usage. They can withstand only 100lbs weight. However, the end product will be durable. Yes, these drawer slides are also made from cold-rolled steel. But the price will be less compared to the heavy duty slides.
If you want slides for industrial purposes, you can go with heavy duty drawer slides. However, if you are looking for drawer slides for your home, you can consider buying regular options. Heavy duty can support the storage of heavy tools. Also, they are more durable than regular drawer slides.
Features of Regular Drawer Slides
- Perfect for home and medium projects
- Available in non-locking and locking mechanism
- Durable and made from a quality material
What Are the Differences?
There are different types of drawer slides. The weight might vary from 100lbs to 450lbs. In addition to the weight, there are the following differences.
Durability
When it comes to the difference, heavy duty options are more durable than regular slides. As stated earlier, both these types of drawer slides are made from the same material. However, the heavy duty slides are thicker and larger ones. The thickness will enable the product to last longer in adverse conditions. More material means the end product can withstand wear and tear for a long time.
Another thing that decides the lifespan of the drawer slides is the ball bearings. If the ball bearings last long, the slides will ensure a durable result. The ball bearings enable drawers to slide close and open smoothly. Also, they distribute the load evenly to ensure proper movement. However, when the ball bearing does not operate well due to the adhesive wear, the functionality of the drawer will be compromised.
In heavy duty drawer slides, larger ball bearings are used to support the movement. The large ball bearings will provide a more dynamic load rating. That will enable them to last longer in adverse conditions. Also, the frequency of use will decide the durability of the end product. If the drawer is used frequently, then the ball bearings might not last up to the expectation.
Contamination can also impact the durability of ball bearings. Contaminations can cause adhesive wear. As a result, the surfaces of ball bearings will be damaged. However, this damage will be less in heavy duty drawer slides. The larger slides will not be impacted by the dirt and dust particles much. All the factors make heavy duty slides more durable than its counterpart.
Storage Needs
Heavy duty drawer slides can be the best option to store a lot of weight. If your storage requirement is more than 125kg, you can use a heavy duty slide. Also, you can consider this option if your extension requirement is more than 1016mm. Regular slides can be the best option for small projects or home usage.
Different types of drawer slides are available. Therefore, you will have to understand your unique requirement before deciding on one. For industrial use, you can consider using heavy duty options. Let’s cover more details to know how to find the best for your project.
How to Choose the Right One
As mentioned above, these slides are worth considering for their durability. Yes, these slides are more durable than their leading competitor. However, you do not need a super durable drawer slide always. Your application requirements will decide the end product. Before choosing any drawer slides, you will have to ask a few questions yourself.
- Will the slide be exposed to weather elements?
If the answer is yes, you can go with heavy duty options. These slides will not be influenced by the outside or weather elements more. Therefore, you can expect a durable result.
- Do you need one to store heavy equipment and operate frequently?
In both these conditions, you will need heavy duty slides. They can withstand heavy loads and frequent usage.
- Are you planning to use your drawer slides inside your home?
For your home, you can consider regular drawer slides. These slides can be the best for indoor usage.
Wrapping It Up
Both regular and heavy duty drawer slides are made from the same material. But the thickness and size will vary significantly. Your project demands will decide the end product. For outdoor applications, you can consider heavy duty options. They can withstand airborne debris and heavy loads. However, regular slides can be perfect for household applications.