Step 1 - Customizing Pilaster Width
Houck Pilasters are designed to fit behind the cabinet face frame and
should be installed flush with the faceframe. Due to variations in cabinet
face frame dimensions, and possible interference with the door hinge,
it may be necessary to trim the pilaster to make it fit flush with the
face frame after installation.
Referencing the illustration at the right, measure dimension "X",
then trim the pilaster to that dimension (if necessary). If the hinges
or hardware cause interference, measure the distance necessary to clear
the obstruction, then subtract this measurement from dimension "X",
then trim the pilaster on the edge with no holes. Use the same procedure
to trim the rear pilaster.
Pilasters are manufactured with the hole pattern offset from one end. Note that the first hole is 13/16" from the bottom (shorter distance) on one end of the pilaster, and 1 3/8" from the bottom (longer distance) on the opposite end. Install pilasters with the longer distance (1 3/8) to the bottom for the front and shorter distance (13/16") to the bottom for the rear. Hold the front pilaster in place and drill three 1/16" pilot holes in the pilaster for three screws per the example in the illustration at the right. Take care not to drill through the face frame. Repeat the procedure for the opposite side. Remove the pilasters and drill mounting holes in the pilaster with a 3/16" bit using the pilot hole as a guide.
Position the front and rear pilasters with holes facing up on any flat surface. Place the front dowel of cabinet member into a hole on the front pilaster, and place the rear dowel in the corresponding hole in the rear pilaster. Repeat the procedure for the remaining cabinet members. Lift the entire assembly and place into the cabinet against the cabinet side. Push the front pilaster snugly against the face frame and faster in place using three screws. Push the rear pilaster against the side of the cabinet, then drill three 1/16" pilot holes from the outside of the cabinet into the rear pilaster. Fasten with three screws. Repeat the procedure for the opposite side. To fasten the rear pilaster when the outside of the cabinet is not accessible (remodeling or retrofitting), drill three 1/16" pilot holes through holes in the pilaster that are not being used to support the drawer slides. Fasten with screws through the pilaster into the side of the cabinet.
To determine the width of the drawer box to be used with the pilaster system (NOTE - to use this procedure the pilasters MUST be mounted flush with the faceframe on both sides of the cabinet.):
Step A - Measure opening width from the inside of both sides of the face frame or from the inside of both sides of the pilasters if they are installed.
Step B- Subtact a minimum of 1" to the result in Step A (Drawer slide clearance, 1/2" each side. To utilize the floating wheel 9/16" clearance is recommended for a total of 1 1/8" clearance). Using less that 1" will cause the drawer guides to bind when opening and closing.
Step C - Subtract Step B dimension from the Step A dimension.
Example:
Step A - Width between face frame is 14". The pilasters will be installed flush with the faceframe, so the width between the pilasters will be 14".
Step B - Subtract 1" - 1 1/8" from 14" = 12 7/8" - 13"
Step C -Recommended drawer box width is between 12 7/8" - 13". Drawer boxes with a width greater than 13" will bind.
Determining Drawer Box Length (Recommended)
Subtract a minimum of 1/2" (13mm) from the length
of the drawer member. (This is to provide clearance when inserting the
drawer box member into the cabinet track member. If clearance is not an
issue, drawer box length can be equal to the drawer member length).
Example: 550mm drawer slides. Clearance is not an issue; drawer box length
can be 550mm. If clearance is an issue, drawer box length should be less
than 537mm.