DIY lock in lock out drawer slides.

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Bryan Treguboff

Rank I
Launch Member

Traveler I

233
Goodyear, AZ
Member #

14252

Hello everyone,
I am starting to build a drawer system for the back of my Jeep and am brainstorming on ideas for locking in and out the drawers.

What are some good simple ideas for this? I can't justify spending 5x as much for a drawer slide that has this ability over one that doesn't as I am sure there is just as good a way without the pricetag.

I was thinking of a little flat piece that would be like a lever for the back side of the slide. I could add it to the slide and as you pull the drawer out gravity would pull it down and it would lock against a tab to keep the drawer from going back in. To close just hold the tab up and push the drawer in.

I think this will work but I would like something just as simple to keep the drawers closed with out allowing them to rattle. Any ideas would be appreciated.
 
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Cdaug

Rank III
Launch Member

Enthusiast III

646
Austin, TX
Member #

14387

Hello everyone,
I am starting to build a drawer system for the back of my Jeep and am brainstorming on ideas for locking in and out the drawers.

What are some good simple ideas for this? I can't justify spending 5x as much for a drawer slide that has this ability over one that doesn't as I am sure there is just as good a way without the pricetag.

I was thinking of a little flat piece that would be like a lever for the back side of the slide. I could add it to the slide and as you pull the drawer out gravity would pull it down and it would lock against a tab to keep the drawer from going back in. To close just hold the tab up and push the drawer in.

I think this will work but I would like something just as simple to keep the drawers closed with out allowing them to rattle. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Hey Bryan, and specific drawer slides you were looking at? There's a pretty big range in price depending on the weight and length primarily.

Some other options I've seen are skateboard bearings in a line, and the edge of the drawer has a lip. The bearings go above and below (need upper ones whenever you pull it out far enough). I've also seen pieces of low-friction plastic mounted underneath the drawers. The drawers just float on top and would likely push on the underside of the top lod when fully extended.
 
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Bryan Treguboff

Rank I
Launch Member

Traveler I

233
Goodyear, AZ
Member #

14252

Hey Bryan, and specific drawer slides you were looking at? There's a pretty big range in price depending on the weight and length primarily.

Some other options I've seen are skateboard bearings in a line, and the edge of the drawer has a lip. The bearings go above and below (need upper ones whenever you pull it out far enough). I've also seen pieces of low-friction plastic mounted underneath the drawers. The drawers just float on top and would likely push on the underside of the top lod when fully extended.
I was able to figure out a cheap solution. Here is some pics of the finished product. 20181014_180636.jpegIMG_20181013_143756_193.jpeg
 
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SubeeBen

Guest
I have to be n honest cheater. Are you willing to give measurements on your build as I am wanting to do the same build ?