Another DIY Drawer Thread - One Side only

[Itsky]

Question:

What is the benefit of the handle latch if you already have locking drawer slides? Is it only to lock the drawer? If you were not concerned with locking the drawers would it be better to build them with no latch? More room, less complexity?

Thank you,

 

[sonk76]

Question:

What is the benefit of the handle latch if you already have locking drawer slides? Is it only to lock the drawer? If you were not concerned with locking the drawers would it be better to build them with no latch? More room, less complexity?

Thank you,

I suppose there were two reasons I did this:

1) The handle latch actually provides a more "positive engagement" -- by which I mean that when you close it, it places the whole closure under a constant very subtle pressure so there is zero play back and forth.

2) It's a bit of belt and suspenders. In case either one alone failed, it's nice to have something else holding it in--with very heavy recovery gear and related in there, I'd hate to have it come open when not intended (e.g., parked in downward slope with tail gate open.)

This said, I think it might be reasonable to do with out it as well.

[also, to be completely honest, another big reason why I did this was because it was what I had seen others do, and I assumed that there must be a good reason for it then... I'm sure someone else can jump in with more rationale one way or another.]

 

[fireball]

I copied Sonk's idea on my own drawer set for the same reasons he did. I've since built two more sets for guys with 80 series trucks and one of them did not use these latches and I must say it makes the build/construction much easier, saves you about $60 and is easier to use. The Accuride locking slide has been absolutely perfect so the locking latch isn't needed.

If and when I do mine over again, I will not use these locking latches. Another thing is that they take up a decent bit of space on the interior of the drawer. When every little bit of space counts that is also a consideration.

 

[REZARF]

Great build, how's the drawer holding up? Anything you'd change?

 

[Itsky]

Great - thanks for the responses fireball and sonk76. I can see both sides. I think I'm going to do without the latches but get locking accurides on both sides, so I have two locks.

But, I really like the idea of doing only 1 accuride locking, and 1 non-locking for 1 hand opening. Hmm.

 

[fireball]

Definitely no need to do two locking slides. Just do one side. Trust me. My buddy has tons of crap in his drawers with single locking slides and they've held up great. He beats on his truck. We took a cross country wheeling trip earlier this year right after I built them for him, and we just ran around the woods in VT and they are holding up great.

In the first photo the left side flush mount pull is missing because McMaster sent me two non matching units so I was waiting on the replacement.

 

[REZARF]

Great - thanks for the responses fireball and sonk76. I can see both sides. I think I'm going to do without the latches but get locking accurides on both sides, so I have two locks.

But, I really like the idea of doing only 1 accuride locking, and 1 non-locking for 1 hand opening. Hmm.

One per slide would get my vote. One handed opening is a must for my family. Same for my tire carrier plans. I want a door handle style latching system. Simple is easiest, as long as it holds up.

 

[Itsky]

Thanks for all the responses guys, I've been compelled. One locking slide per drawer!

 

[tetsuo69]

This thread deserves some more visibility, great quality design and build Sonk76!

Any chance you have the Sketchup files still laying around and willing to share? Will save me oodles of CAD time.

 

[sonk76]

This thread deserves some more visibility, great quality design and build Sonk76!

Any chance you have the Sketchup files still laying around and willing to share? Will save me oodles of CAD time.

I'll dig around on my PC to see if I can find them...

 

[muzza01]

Nice job.....very similar to the one I did out of pine. Drawers slide on nylon boat runners.

 

[aaronrules]

I'll dig around on my PC to see if I can find them...

Those files would be awesome if they are still around! Something I can play with and try to learn SketchUp.