Well here are a few suggestions that you may want to consider. (1) Now
would be a good time to make any cabinet modifications you/SHMBO want. You
will avoid having to worry about matching wood grain and finish with the old
cabinets. Just do any rework so it is flush with the old and reface it
along with the rest.
(2) Do all the work on the carcasses before even thinking about measuring
for doors and drawer fronts.
(3) Pick your door and drawer hardware next. In many instances the hardware
will affect the size of the doors and drawers. For example side mounted
drawer slides typically require 1/2" clearance on each side of the drawer
but the good full extension fully concealed drawer slides need only 3/16" on
each side. (but the bottom dado must be 1/2" above the bottom of the drawer
sides.) (4) If you are going to build the doors and drawer fronts
yourself and if you can possibly afford it get the really good hardware.
Blum Tandem full extension, fully concealed undermount slides are the best I
have been able to find. They have very smooth sliding action and a closing
action that is unsurpassed. They are expensive but will not add that much
to the total cost of the project. If you have a lot of drawers and can't
stand the expense for all drawers pick the drawers that will get heavy use
and use them only in these locations. BUT as time passes you will kick
yourself over and over again for not using the best slides for all your
drawers. With these slides you can build good looking drawers with nice
dovetails and your work will not be hidden beneath ugly side mounted
hardware. Here is a link to an outfit that has some decent prices. If you
order from them call your order in as they are not great about keeping there
internet prices up to date. http://www.ahturf.com/Blum/runners.htm
Earl Creel

"Steve" wrote in message
...
I am going to be refacing my kitchen cabinets (making new cabinet doors
and drawers). I have been on-line checking out the different types of
drawer slides that are on the market. There is a considerable difference
in price compared to the ball bearing drawer slides and the epoxy coated
drawer slides.
My question is, is there that much of a performance difference in the
ball bearing slides to pay the extra money? Where would be the best
place on line to purchase my hardware?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Steve M.