If you're a tradesperson looking to improve your vehicle's organisation and efficiency, you've likely heard about the benefits of installing heavy duty drawer runners. And with so many suppliers available online, it might seem like a no-brainer to simply choose the cheapest option from overseas. But hold on a second - before you make that decision, it's important to consider the risks and hidden costs involved. Long delivery times, exorbitant shipping fees, and the inability to return faulty products are just a few of the potential drawbacks of buying from overseas. And even when purchasing from local suppliers, there are still pitfalls to watch out for. In fact, there are 5 key traps related to drawer runners that your supplier may not disclose - so be sure to do your homework before making any purchases.
1) Load capacity: You might have noticed that many suppliers claim their runners can handle up to 125kg or 120kg, but don't be fooled! For 53mm wide runners, this rating only applies to the standard length of 600mm - if you go for a longer runner, the load capacity decreases. For example, the 53mm wide 1000mm long runner can only handle around 77kg of weight! Some suppliers don't bother pointing out all the rated payload with respect to the length of the runners, either because they don't know, too much editing to do on their product descriptions, or they don't care. But as a smart consumer, it pays to do your homework and be aware of these load variations. Don't get taken for a ride by misleading claims, as the mistake can be costly.
2) Material: You might have come across some suppliers who claim that their drawer runners are waterproof and rust proof. However, be aware that stainless steel, often touted as a rust-resistant option, is not ideal for making heavy duty runners because it's too soft. In reality, most heavy duty runners are made from cold rolled steel that's been coated in zinc for protection. While this coating does make them water-resistant in theory, in practice, any scratches or damage to the coating can lead to rusting. So, to extend the life of your runners, it's best to keep them as dry as possible and avoid exposing them to water whenever you can. Don't be swayed by lofty claims.
3) Thickness: Runners are made of bending metal plates. The thickness of the plate has huge influence on the runners’ loading capacity. To achieve the full potential loading capacity, the plate thickness required is 2mm. However, there are some runners out there were made with thinner plates, like 1.75mm or 1.5mm. These, needlessly to say, will not take the loading performance their suppliers claim.
4) Separable rail: It's no secret that drawer runners with separable rails make installation a whole lot easier. However, not all suppliers are upfront about whether their runners are separable or not. In some cases, you might purchase runners only to find out that they're not the separable version, leaving you frustrated and with a more difficult installation process. To avoid this hassle, make sure to check the product description carefully before you make your purchase.
5) Quality: It's easy to assume that all heavy-duty drawer runners are created equal, but the truth is that there can be significant differences in quality. Despite the fact that most runners are manufactured in China by just a few concentrated manufacturers, there are typically three different quality grades available, even from the same manufacturer. This means that some suppliers may be providing runners of subpar quality, particularly those who are focused on competing on price rather than quality. To ensure that you're getting the best possible runners for your needs, it's important to purchase from a supplier who truly knows about the product they're selling.
