The functionality of furniture items is largely influenced by the installed fittings. To increase comfort when using pull-out structures (shelves, drawers, etc.), you can install hidden drawer guides. What is this type of fittings? What are its advantages and disadvantages? How to independently select and install hidden guides, read on.
Drawer on hidden guides
Types of Hettich Quadro guides, nuances of choice
The size range of Hettich guides allows you to install drawers in a base with a depth of 260mm with a subsequent pitch of +50mm as with all standard guide sizes. The design of the mechanism itself is such that the running parts are automatically cleaned during the extension process, so no additional maintenance is required. Also, the quality of the galvanized steel of the Quadro guides allows them to be installed on furniture in rooms with high humidity.
The range of Hettich QUADRO guides is presented in two main series with different functionality:
- QUADRO 25/30 series – partial extension guides.
- QUADRO V6 series – full extension guides with a load-bearing capacity of up to 30 kg.
- QUADRO V6+ series – full extension guides with a load-bearing capacity of up to 50 kg.
Optionally, the series is equipped with an expanded ability to adjust in three planes (Hettich QUADRO 4D) - lateral, height and tilt. This quality is especially valuable when installing built-in furniture, where there may be minor differences in the accuracy of the installation relative to the geometry. In any case, it is possible to adjust the drawers so that they slide smoothly when rolling out and do not warp, while the facade itself looks smooth and without cracks.
Each of the Hettich QUADRO V6 and 23/30 series has two possible configuration options:
- Quadro Stop Control – silent pulling (self-closing) without self-opening, the option is built in by default.
- Quadro Silent System – built-in closer for smooth closing.
- Quadro Push to open – built-in push-to-open mechanism.
All options are interchangeable. That is, initially, for example, you can install guides with Quadro V6 Push to open, and then change them to guides with a Quadro V6 Silent System closer. There is no need to recalculate the parts of the drawer frame itself.
Installation of ball telescopic guides
On the side of the drawer, horizontally, strictly in the center, mark a line and screw one half of the guide along it.
Now we need to mark a similar horizontal line on the inside wall of the chest of drawers.
I took the exact distances and dimensions from the drawing of my chest of drawers; you can use the drawing of your furniture product, approximately as shown in the figure:
That is, we mark 417 mm from the floor on the sidewall and mount the telescope at this height.
This completes the hardest part of the work; now we screw the two halves of the guides strictly along the line to the drawer and to the side and move it into place.
Hettich Quadro
The manufacturer offers two options for calculating the parts of a drawer, with a skid bottom and flush. But the easiest way is to calculate Hettich QUADRO drawers with a chipboard bottom recessed for installation of guides.
At the same time, the expanded 4D adjustment capabilities allow the use of uniform design diagrams for installation/replacement for any bottom-mounted guides from other manufacturers.
It is also possible to replace the partial extension guides with a full extension with the Hettich quadro push to open or Hettich quadro v6 silent system options selected.
The general scheme for calculating the parts of a drawer for installing any Hettich Quadro guides is as follows:
- The length of the side of the drawer = the length of the guide (250, 300, 350, etc.), the height is approximately (-50mm) from the height of the facade.
- The front panel of the drawer is 12mm shorter in height than the side panel; its length is calculated using the formula (internal niche size) -20x2.
- The bottom is inset, recessed along the height of the front panel.
Calculation example:
The length of the drawer guides is selected according to the depth of the niche for embedding. The difference should be from (+13mm) for the overlay facade and from (+35) for the internal one.
For example, for a cabinet with two drawers with HxWxD 300x600x450, guides with a length of 400 mm are suitable.
We get the calculation of parts for the drawer:
- Sidewall of drawers 400x220 – 2 pcs.
- Front/rear panel (600-32-20x2)x(220-12)=528x208 – 2 pcs.
- Bottom 368x528 – 1 piece.
The best solution for furniture - Quadro
Quadro slides guarantee flawless operation of drawers for many years. For designer furniture, where it is important to hide equipment from view, a hidden guide is especially suitable, in which all functional elements are hidden behind the fronts and sides of the drawer. Where you need maximum quality and stability, Quadro is the best solution.
The Quadro guide is designed for precise and smooth drawer movement. Up to 180 steel balls move along steel guide channels, ensuring precise performance day after day. The exceptional feature of long-lasting, flawless functionality is made possible by the perfectly developed Quadro technology. Pressure and loads on the drawer from any side are absorbed, again thanks to the Quadro guides, which are responsible for vertical and horizontal stability. Quadro guides are characterized by smooth and obedient movement even when the drawer is fully loaded - the ball bearing principle works for many years.
Silent System - the sound of silence.
Drawers that close smoothly and silently add a touch of exclusivity and have a positive effect on the mood of household members. No noises or pops when closing the drawer will no longer disturb the cozy atmosphere of the home. Silent System is silent closing. Small or large, lightly or heavily loaded, drawers always close equally smoothly with Quadro slides and the integrated Silent System damper. The Silent System damper is installed in the Quadro guide during production, which means that the installation remains the same, and the operation of the guides has new exclusive characteristics and special user convenience. Delight your customer with a unique combination of long-lasting functionality and the luxury of silent closure.
Smooth surfaces without handles – Quadro with Push to open mechanism.
Minimalism in furniture design is now at the peak of fashion. And the Push to open mechanism for Quadro makes it possible to use smooth fronts without handles. With this innovative solution from Hettich, the design and production of handleless fronts becomes simple and natural. The Push to open mechanism ensures convenient opening of any drawers and drawers by lightly pressing the front. A light press activates the automatic drawer opening function. Even if you pull out the drawer in the usual way, this will not harm the reliable Push to open functions. Push to open is ideal for drawers up to 900 mm wide.
You can read more about the Push to open mechanism in the article: Push To Open and TIP-ON opening systems - review.
Download instructions: Guides for Quadro drawers in .PDF format
List of the main advantages of Quadro hidden-mounted guides:
• Smooth sliding of the guides thanks to Quadro technology • Soft and silent closing thanks to the Silent System • Full extension - to see and conveniently reach all the contents of the drawer • Can be combined with PUSH to OPEN, mechanical opening system • Long service life • Convenient adjustment
Installation methods:
Slide-on installation • Quadro next close
• Slide-on installation. The drawer is placed at an angle on top of the extended guides.
The rear hooks of the guide are inserted into two holes on the back wall of the drawer. By pressing on the drawer, it is connected to the trunnions. The trunnions, tapering upward, ensure precision and tight fit. To remove the drawer, pull it out all the way, lift it slightly and remove it. The drawer is fixed using mounting pins, and the exact height is adjusted using the adjustment wheel. Slide-on installation • Quadro next close
• Slide-on installation Holding the drawer horizontally, simply place it on the guides and slide it inside. The latch will automatically securely fix the drawer on the guides. Removing the drawer from the slides is just as easy. The established height of the facade is maintained when the drawer is dismantled. The blue adjustment wheel integrated into the lock adjusts the position of the wedge between the drawer bottom and the slide, allowing for perfect height adjustment of the drawer front without the use of tools. What you need to know about the QUADRO guide system: • Silent System - a damper integrated into the Quadro V6 guide closes drawers smoothly and silently.
• Perfect stability in vertical and horizontal directions. Wear-resistant guide channels ensure perfect movement of the steel balls within the guide – for precise and controlled work. • The guide channels are maintenance-free thanks to the self-cleaning function. • Slide-on installation - simply place the drawer on the guides and slide it inside. Ready! • Robust locking mechanism with built-in adjustment wheel for tool-free height adjustment. • Interchangeability of system components – replacement of Quadro partial extension with Quadro full extension without changing the dimensions of the body, drawer and front panel. Guide systems according to the type of extension: full and partial extension.
• full extension - a system that allows you to pull out the entire drawer from the module body. • partial extension - the system leaves the back of the drawer in the housing module by approximately 100mm. Partial extension is an economical option.
Design and installation diagrams for Quadro guide systems
• Full extension slides for wooden drawers Quadro V6 Silent System - Load capacity 30 kg. • Partial extension guides for wooden drawers Quadro 30 Silent System Load capacity 30 kg. • Full extension slides for wooden drawers Quadro V6 Stop Control Load capacity 30 kg • Partial extension slides for wooden drawers Quadro 30 Stop Control Load capacity 30 kg
Calculation of a wooden box - QUADRO system:
— Drawer length: Nominal drawer length = guide length — 250;
300; 350; 400; 450; 500mm. — The width of the drawer is equal to: The internal width of the module body for embedding the drawer minus 8 mm. Accordingly, if the width of the module body for embedding a drawer is 500mm, then the width of the drawer = 492mm. The length of the front and back walls of the box = the width of the module body minus 40 mm. Accordingly, if the width of the module body is 500mm, then the length of the front and back walls of the box = 460mm.
— Drawer height: The required space in the body is determined independently, but it is recommended to deviate 10-20 mm from the top edge of the decorative facade of the drawer.
DIY installation of drawers with Hettich Quadro guides
Installation of Hettich Quadro guides is carried out in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions according to the marking scheme.
Please note that fastening the guides must be done with a distance of 1.5 mm from the edge, and then in accordance with system 32 for chipboard, 37 mm for the first mounting hole and a pitch of 32 mm.
If you need to install Hettich Quadro with push-to-open (push to open series), then the gap between the inside of the facade and the body increases to 4 mm.
It is needed to activate the pusher. But if the side of the cabinet is visible, the appearance of the furniture may suffer. Therefore, it makes sense to take this into account and change the design by adding an overlay panel.
After screwing the guides to the inner sides of the niche and the drawer frame, the last step remains - inserting the drawer itself inside the cabinet. This can be done in two ways: push-on and slide-on (with locking locks).
The drawer is inserted at an angle from above on fully extended runners. Two holes in the back of the drawer raise hooks on the rear runners. Pressing down on the drawer engages the locating pins (trunnions) and they will easily slide into position and provide a precise and secure fit. Removing the drawer is just as easy. You need to pull it out completely, lift it slightly and then remove it from the runners.
Built-in height adjustment ensures perfect front panel adjustment - no tools required. Simple sliding assembly: the drawer sits on the skids and slides easily into place. The lock latch automatically secures the drawer onto the Hettich Quadro guides. Removing the drawer from the slides is just as easy, you just need to pull it out, feel the locks and release the stopper.
Marking concealed mounting guides
We make markings on the sidewalls based on the height of the chefflots. The fastening line should be drawn at least 45 mm higher from the bottom of the cabinet or the edge of the lower shelf. Do not forget that the width of the sidewall should be 10 mm greater than the length of the guide.
The instructions indicate that the guide should be attached to the fourth hole to a depth of 37 mm. Having secured it in this way, the cheflot did not press tightly against the ends of the sidewall. I moved it by 39 mm and the gap disappeared. I used hidden mounting Boyard guides.
Installing Concealed Rails
To install the box, you need to make two holes with a diameter of 6 mm in the rear front strip, on the outside of the box. At a height of 11 mm from the bottom of the drawer and 23 mm from the side rail. For fixing from the back.
To fasten from the front side, to the bottom of the box, flush with the edge, we screw the clamps. They snap flush-mounted slides onto the drawer. To remove the box, just press the blue flags and lift the box up.
Bottom line
Now you know what I know. You are able to install flush-mounted guides without unnecessary movements. The system is very simple and does not require mental effort. Follow the instructions and enjoy a smooth ride!
If you need detailing of cabinet or built-in furniture, . We will definitely discuss the terms of cooperation and come to a common opinion. For a moderate percentage of my work, I will prepare a detailed project for you on time.
What would you like to add to this article?
Tell me about your experience in the comments.
I will be very interested to hear your stories!
With good thoughts about you, furniture expert
Rekun Dmitry.
Today, the most popular drawer guide mechanisms are telescopic (ball) and roller. Not only the service life of the product, but also the ease of use of the furniture will depend on the correct installation. Therefore, further we will consider how to install guides for drawers with your own hands.
