Rutlands - Again!

[Bluekingfisher]

I received my 2011 Rutlands catalogue through the post yesterday. Whilst I always love to flick through tool catalogues I couldn't help but think the prices of some of the items were ridiculous.

Rutlands, I am aware has had some bad press from some forum memebrs and untill recently I was immune to problems from them. I bought a few items from them in the past couple of months as they were offering them for sale and free shipping. Amongst the items were a couple of mobile bases for some new machinery (expecting today) so was hoping to build them up in readiness for fitting the machines. Part of the order (4" hoses) turned up but no mobile bases. When I opened the other goods the invoice stated the bases would not arrive untill after the 11th March 2011, yeah, cheers. :x Suffice to say I cancelled that part of the order and bought them from Axminster.

As I am intending to undertake some projects in the next few weeks I was particularly interested in the hardware section at the back of the catalogue. Again some of the prices blew my mind especially as the prices were for single items rather than a pack of two/four.

Do any of you have a recommendation for hardware suppliers. I am interested in drawer pulls, cabinet hinges and also extending ball bearing drawer slides/runners.

The drawer slides do not have to be ultra high end, just functional as they are for the drawers of a "to be built" workbench.

Thanks all in advance. ccasion5:

David

 

[brihol]

I've used the R21D range from these people
http://gsf-promounts.com/categories/Dra ... se-Slides/
Good quality and not too pricey.

Also here
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BALL-BEARING-DOUB ... 746aa18592
Bonus of free postage.

Brian

 

[Fromey]

It has been my general finding that if I find something I want on the Rutlands web sight, I can find the same/equivalent item for less from another supplier (usually Axminster or Workshop Heaven). Thus, I've never purchased anything from Rutlands.

 

[Bluekingfisher]

Thanks fellahs, I think I'll take the advice offered and look elsewhere. Much appreciated

 

[Bluekingfisher]

I'v just had a trawl of the net and found that Screwfix sell them (drawer glides) for between £6-8 dependant on how many you purchase at a time. Seems reasonable as they are only going to go into drawers in workshop projects. I need about 15 pairs so cost is very much an issue

This may sound a silly question, does the lenght of the runner have to equal the depth of the drawer? the reasoin I ask is, as I sit polishing a seat at my desk I noticed the slides on my drawer tote are about half the lenght of the depth of the cabinet yet the drawer opens fully. Is this an acceptable practice or should the slide be as near to the depth of the drawer as possible.

David

 

[brihol]

It's horses for courses as you say. I bought from the two sources above because I wanted reasonable load bearing capacity for drawers under a workbench and under a drill table. I wasn't totally sure how heavy each load would be so I went for the "medium" quality option.

Brian

 

[Noel]

I'v just had a trawl of the net and found that Screwfix sell them (drawer glides) for between £6-8 dependant on how many you purchase at a time. Seems reasonable as they are only going to go into drawers in workshop projects. I need about 15 pairs so cost is very much an issue

This may sound a silly question, does the lenght of the runner have to equal the depth of the drawer? the reasoin I ask is, as I sit polishing a seat at my desk I noticed the slides on my drawer tote are about half the lenght of the depth of the cabinet yet the drawer opens fully. Is this an acceptable practice or should the slide be as near to the depth of the drawer as possible.

David

The longer the better. It's handy being able to pull out the whole drawer rather than having to poke around at the back part of the drawer that doesn't quite manage to see daylight. Not sure what exact length of runner you could get away with. Mine are full length extension and came from Screwfix and have had no problems so far, they're good (assuming spec and quality hasn't changed).

 

[Pond]

hi,

I have used this place a lot in the past: http://www.isaaclord.co.uk

They are a toolshop/ ironmongers. Admittedly I used to live local to them (High Wycombe) so had a trade account and went in to buy most things but they do deliver from their website. They grew up from when their was a furniture trade in Wycombe and were 'toolshop of the year' quite a few times in late 90s and early 2000s.

They are not always the cheapest, but will give good discounts if you ask nicely!

They are a major Blum and Hafele dealer. The people who work there know their stuff too!

Screwfix are good for most things and I use them a lot but in my experience some of their stuff, especially some ironmongery, is utter tat!

As I am in the market for lots of tools and machinery at the moment I have looked at prices of various and have to say that Rutlands do seem expensive. Axminster seem very good value, then Screwfix.
Pond

 

[Bluekingfisher]

I bought a single set of drawer runners from Screwfix about 9-10 years ago. They were used to provide an extending outfeed table bolted onto the back of a small table saw. I have to say they worked splendidly. They were about the same price then so I have no idea if the quality is the same but as I need about 15 or so pairs I don't want to fork out about £20 for a pair at Rutlands. No doubts the quality will be better but for a hobbyist shop they will not be subject to the same loads or frequency of use.

On another note re Rutlands, I've only just noticed that they are not advertising large machinery anymore. No doubt us poor woodworkers could not afford their inflated prices and they have dropped the range through lack of sales? Power to the people!!

Thanks again fellahs

 

[9fingers]

Buller have a good range of drawer slides too

http://www.bullerltd.co.uk/

Bob

 

[Bluekingfisher]

Thanks Bob, most useful.

David