Furniture thrust bearing: what is it and how does it work?

How to install thrust bearings on furniture?

To give the furniture greater stability, a part such as a support is used in its production. The modern look of this fittings consists of fastening devices made using various technologies and having several functions. Their main function is to provide a connection between the floor covering and the furniture structure itself, raising the entire structure to a certain height from the floor.

Types of supports and their scope of application

The supports used in furniture should be practical and comfortable. However, they also carry one more load - decorativeness. Often it is the legs that emphasize the style of furniture. Supports used in furniture production are of the following types: • thrust bearing; • adjustable; wheeled.

Each of these types is appropriate in its place.

Thrust bearing

The simplest type of support - a thrust bearing - is used to separate the furniture structure from the floor surface. This increases the service life of the furniture structure, avoiding moisture from entering the lower part of the furniture, which avoids its deformation. The standard material for the manufacture of thrust bearings is plastic, used in the production of both upholstered and cabinet furniture. But, unfortunately, this type of support is not able to compensate for uneven floors and align several individual modules into a single furniture structure.

Adjustable

The adjustable support is designed to compensate for unevenness of the floor surface, which makes it possible to level the furniture structure.
Various materials are used in its manufacture, most often high-strength plastic and metal. The production of reception desks
, for example, is not complete without screw furniture legs with a nut.
They allow you to align and pull together separate modules into a single composition so that no gaps are visible, as well as protect the bottom of the racks from contact with water and dirt. These are the simplest adjustable furniture supports. In cabinet furniture, such as cabinets, racks, cabinets, it is more practical and correct to use INTEGRATO type supports
. To adjust them, it is enough to provide access to the lower horizon of the furniture and make the adjustment with a regular screwdriver, that is, there is no need to topple the furniture and crawl under it, trying to tighten something. They also allow you to level furniture during operation without unloading it, since they have a load when adjusting up to 175 kg per support. True, the price of such supports is much higher than the cost of ordinary supports, but they are worth the money you pay for them.

Wheeled

Wheel supports are installed on furniture, the use of which requires mobility indoors.
Usually these are light-weight structures - coffee tables, armchairs, bedside tables. Sometimes they are mounted in the retractable part of upholstered furniture for ease of use. Their production combines two materials - metal and high-strength plastic. When choosing this type of support, you need to pay attention to its safety in this product - the type that can be used in the construction of upholstered furniture will not always ensure safety in cabinet furniture. Wheel supports can be found in two types - with a stopper and without a stopper. Sometimes supports used in the manufacture of furniture
combine several types.
The most commonly combined types are adjustable support and thrust bearing. Based on decorativeness, supports are divided into two types - hidden and decorative. Hidden supports are usually covered with a plinth surface. As a rule, adjustable supports act as such legs. Sometimes thrust bearings are used on the bottom of the plinth to avoid direct interaction between the floor surface and the plinth itself. There is another symbiosis - an adjustable wheel-swivel support for heavy furniture
. For example, when a heavy cabinet needs to be moved, the adjustable parts of the support are unscrewed and the furniture stands on wheeled supports. After the furniture has been moved with the help of wheels to a new place, the adjustable supports are screwed in, the cabinet is raised and the required level is set. The thrust bearings can be called a partially hidden support, since due to their small height and the choice of mounting location, they are practically invisible. Decorative supports are worth talking about separately.

Decorative supports

To emphasize the style of a product is the main function of decorative legs. The materials for their manufacture are: • various types of metal; • solid wood; • plastics.

When choosing a support, you should be guided not only by its aesthetic design, but also by the degree of expected load. In the manufacture of such legs, various technologies are used: • casting; • forging; • wood carving; • applying coatings to the surface of supports.

Wheel structures can be considered a separate type of decorative supports - sometimes various inserts are used to improve their appearance. Despite the fact that when choosing decorative legs for furniture, consumers are guided by their appearance, the main selection criterion is the main function of the supports - lifting the furniture above the floor surface and holding the entire structure for a long time.

Source: www.stojka.ru

Installation of the thrust bearing

Installation of the thrust bearing includes several successive steps. First you need to turn the cabinet over to gain access to the bottom of the furniture. Then marking is carried out. It is necessary to measure 5 cm from the corner and the bottom. Then, at the measured distance, lines are made that intersect each other, creating a right angle.

Next, the thrust bearing is applied to the completed marking. One hole should fall on the intersection, and the other two should take place directly on the lines themselves. These places must be marked and indentations made. Simply punch holes using a regular nail.

Then you can install the thrust bearing on the furniture. Self-tapping screws are used for fastening. It is important to perform the operation carefully, adjusting the position of the support in the process. All plugs are attached in the same way.

Application area

Supports are needed to give furniture pieces stability. This is a modern fitting, an element produced using the latest technologies and performing a variety of functions:

• Withstands the heavy weight of the structure and all its contents;
• Help if it is necessary to rearrange interior parts. The material and shape of the supports reduce friction on the floor covering;
• Horizontal adjustment for uneven floors;
• Aesthetics - legs can become a real decoration of furniture, adding charm and originality to it.

What kind of thrust bearings are installed on the cabinet?

To prevent scratches and give furniture mobility, they install thrust bearings in cabinets. Since this is quite large furniture, the supports must withstand a significant load. The material for such products is usually plastic or metal.

For cabinets, a rectangular thrust bearing with an adjustment function is often used. Setting up such devices is quite simple using a screwdriver. To adjust, you don’t need to disassemble the cabinet or even remove things from it, which is very convenient.

For upholstered cabinet furniture, you can take the simplest square thrust bearing, the material for which is plastic. This option raises the cabinet, thereby protecting it from moisture. This model cannot compensate for floor unevenness. The supports are almost invisible, as they are small in size.

For large volume cabinets, a rotary wheel system is used. If rearrangement is necessary, the adjustable elements are replaced with wheels. The device can be adjusted in height.

Thrust bearings are not installed in built-in wardrobes. The ends of the furniture are hidden, so they do not need protection from moisture or adjustment to the floor height. The edges are also covered with plastic film.

Varieties

Furniture supports must meet the parameters of convenience and practicality. They can also be decorative when installed in areas visible to the eye. Often the legs help to emphasize the stylistic decision of the entire model. So, the legs are:

1. Adjustable - help compensate for uneven floors, which allows you to level the horizon of the entire structure. Different materials are used to make supports - usually plastic with high strength characteristics or metal. For example, when installing reception desks, it is impossible to do without special screw support legs with nuts. They help to place the stand as evenly as possible and closely connect the individual blocks so that they look like a solid composition. It is important that there are no gaps between them, and that the bottom of the racks is protected from dust. Screw ones are the simplest adjustable furniture supports. When assembling cabinets, cabinets, and chests of drawers, more complex designs with adjustment functions are often used. To change the height, you only need to open the bottom of the cabinet and make adjustments with an ordinary screwdriver. The furniture does not have to be tilted or turned over to tighten it; you can do this without removing things from there. But the price of such supports is an order of magnitude higher, corresponding to the convenience and quality;
2. A thrust bearing is the simplest type of support leg. It is used to raise furniture above floor level. This helps to increase the operating time due to the fact that it prevents moisture from penetrating the lower part of the cabinets, which causes their deformation. Most often, square furniture supports of this type are made of plastic. It is used for upholstered and cabinet furniture. But if you need to level the structure, it is important to know that the legs will not compensate for uneven floors. The thrust bearings are partially hidden support legs. Due to their small height, they are practically invisible;
3. Wheeled - wheeled supports - are mounted on furniture that must remain mobile indoors. For example, for lightweight designs of coffee tables, cabinets or armchairs. Often, roller supports are installed in the retractable part of upholstered furniture for comfortable use. For the production of wheel supports, metal or heavy-duty plastic is mainly used. During the selection process, attention should be paid to the safety of a particular product. For cabinet and upholstered furniture, wheel supports of different diameters are suitable, which come with or without a stopper;
4. Fungus is another type of simple support. It is most convenient to secure cabinet furniture with fungi;
5. Square furniture support combines several types at once. Usually this is a thrust bearing and adjustable legs. Square furniture support is a reliable design. It makes any items more functional, adds modernity to office and home furnishings;
6. Swivel wheel system with adjustment function - a variation of supports necessary for heavy interior elements. If you need to move the cabinet, the adjustable parts can be easily unscrewed and it rests on support rollers. After moving the wheels, the adjustable supports are removed and screwed in. Then the cabinet is installed at the required level.

Source: mblx.ru

What is a thrust bearing and why is it needed?

Thrust bearings are a furniture element that is installed on the legs to prevent damage to the floor when rearranging cabinets, tables, chairs and other things. It is also used to hide defects on the lower ends of the sides of chests of drawers. Furniture bearings have a wide range of functional purposes.

Functions of thrust bearings:

1. Protection of floors made of different materials from scratches and other defects;
2. Simplifying the process of moving furniture;
3. Protecting the bottom of the cabinets from moisture, thereby increasing the service life of the chests of drawers;
4. Ability to adjust the slope of the furniture during installation.

The design of the thrust bearing usually consists of durable plastic. The material can withstand significant loads. The shape of the products is round, square and triangular. Self-adhesive support is made of felt. The range of accessories is quite diverse. You can choose the best option for any furniture.

How to Level an Unstable Cabinet

It is not always possible to immediately install a large bookcase securely and firmly. A bookcase or wardrobe is a heavy structure and must be firmly secured to protect it from tipping over.

It often happens that the instability of furniture is associated with not very reliable support. A cabinet standing on carpet will still wobble a little. This is due to the softness of the coating and the possibility of the carpet moving under load. There are a few simple ways to securely lock your cabinet in place.

For work you will need: Tape measure, hammer, screwdriver, drills, cutter or knife. You will need to prepare screws, dowels, nails, pads for legs or adjustable supports, and, if desired, a fastening furniture belt from the store.

1. We install thrust bearings. We measure the width of the cabinet along the legs or base and the distance from the wall to the corners of the base. We move the cabinet to the side, lift the carpet and, in the places where the corners of the base are marked, cut out small squares on the lining under the carpet. We place thrust bearings made of plywood or other sheet material in the places where the legs are installed.

We must try to make markings so that the cut pieces of covering are completely under the cabinet base. In addition, the carpet itself, where the lining is cut, can be secured to the floor with special double-sided adhesive tape. We put thrust bearings under the legs, no thicker than the thickness of the lining, and put the cabinet back in place. This option will help if the floor is flat and the only problem is the softness of the coating. On the topic of furniture repair, an article on how to repair a chair leg.

2. Adjustable legs. The most difficult thing to display is furniture if the floor is uneven. You have to put thick material under the legs to level the structure. This job can be done easier and much more reliably. To do this, you need to buy adjustable furniture supports (gliders) at a hardware store.

The supports in question have a rod on top that is simply inserted into a pre-drilled socket on the cabinet legs. Adjustment is made with a screw, both before installation and in a standing piece of furniture. The only inconvenience concerns the design; the cabinet with supports will stand above the floor and there will be a gap at the bottom.

Furniture thrust bearing: what is it for, how and where to attach it

Hello, dear friends! Sometimes there are little things in furniture that seem completely useless. But this is a mistaken opinion. A striking example is the furniture thrust bearing.

I think many people already know what this thrust bearing is for, where to attach it, and whether it’s worth buying this element at all.

The part is really compact in size. But with its help you can adjust the height of the cabinet and make it easier to move heavy furniture from place to place.

DIY shoe rack. Photo, drawing and assembly diagrams

Very often, the layout of the apartment does not allow installing a full-fledged shoe closet in the hallway. As a rule, the corridors are very narrow and it is not possible to install wide chests of drawers.

The furniture market offers a huge selection of various ready-made shoe racks and chests of drawers, but they are not always suitable in size, color and design.

A good alternative to a storage system in this case is a shoe rack with built-in shoe racks.

There are one-, two- and three-section systems. Depending on the number of sections, the number of shoes that will fit in the finished product changes. The depth of the shoe rack may also change.

Today we invite you to consider the process of manufacturing and assembling a two-section shoe rack, the dimensions of which are: 1100*700*250 (W*H*D). And using this material, you can easily make such a shoe rack with your own hands at home.

What is it and how does it work?

Thrust bearings are fittings that are used to protect the floor or floor covering from damage if it is necessary to move heavy furniture without leaving marks on it. They are attached to the lower ends of the sides of cabinets and chests of drawers. It can also be used to “mask” defects on furniture elements. The main functions of thrust bearings are:

• prevention of scratches and other damage to floor coverings made of various materials, including linoleum;
• facilitating the movement and transportation of furniture on any surface;
• maintaining the durability of products and preventing moisture from entering the lower ends of the furniture walls;
• adjusting the slope of products during their assembly and installation.

Thrust bearings are fittings that are used to protect the floor or floor covering from damage.

Adjusting the slope of products during their assembly and installation.

Plastic bearings can withstand the greatest loads.

They are attached to the lower ends of the sides of cabinets and chests of drawers.

It can also be used to “mask” defects on furniture elements.

Prevention of scratches and other damage to floor coverings made of various materials, including linoleum.

Attention! Plastic bearings can withstand the greatest loads.

They are attached to the lower ends of the sides of cabinets and chests of drawers.

It seems that, like any product, thrust bearings should have advantages and disadvantages.

Depending on the use, thrust bearings differ in size, shape and material from which they are made.

Preserving the durability of products and preventing moisture from entering the lower ends of the furniture walls.

Adjusting the slope of products during their assembly and installation.

Plastic bearings can withstand the greatest loads.

Necessary materials

The materials for making shoe racks can be:

As for plywood, it is certainly one of the most durable materials for making furniture. However, it requires additional processing and painting.

MDF is also highly durable. Its dense structure facilitates the process of drilling and assembling the product. But, often, if you make a shoe rack entirely from MDF, the product turns out to be quite heavy and expensive. Therefore, only facades are usually made from MDF, and the entire body is assembled from chipboard.

When ordering cutting and lamination of MDF, you can additionally choose milling on the plate, that is, using special milling equipment, a relief pattern will be applied to the parts. It will add a special style to your shoe rack.

In this material we will look at the manufacture of overshoes from a chipboard slab with a thickness of 16 mm - for the frame, and 10 mm - for the internal partitions of the overshoes. This material is one of the most budget-friendly on the market.

Due to the fact that chipboards have a wide range of colors, you can choose the color you like most or choose a decor that best matches the rest of the furniture in your home.

Our design involves the use of two colors: dark wenge (for the roof, sides, internal pillar and bottom) and light wenge (for the facades).

Of course, it is much easier to order detailing from a specialized store or workshop, since chipping cannot be avoided when cutting parts yourself. You just need to go to a furniture shop with detailing, and they will also trim them for you.

Advantages and disadvantages

It seems that, like any product, thrust bearings should have advantages and disadvantages. In the table you can see what positive qualities they have. The second column was left empty, since numerous users of this product did not find any shortcomings in it.

It can also be used to “mask” defects on furniture elements.

If you need to raise the module by three to five millimeters, it is better to use plastic fittings.

It seems that, like any product, thrust bearings should have advantages and disadvantages.

Depending on the use, thrust bearings differ in size, shape and material from which they are made.

If you need to raise the module by three to five millimeters, it is better to use plastic fittings.

Edging parts

At home, it is possible to veneer only with a paper edge, because for a plastic edge you need a special machine and glue , which, when heated to high temperatures, ensures good adhesion of the edge to the part.

It is recommended to cover visible parts with a thick PVC edge, that is, 2 mm thick. The visible details, in our case, are:

All internal parts and partitions in overshoes can also be covered with PVC edges, but with a thickness of 0.5 mm. You will need to hand over the detailing to the furniture shop craftsmen, which will also indicate how to veneer the parts.

Why is this necessary?

You already roughly understand what it is. Therefore, you can easily figure out why you need it and why you use it at all for a car mat.

This is most relevant from the driver's seat. The accessory is installed in the area of ​​the pedal assembly, precisely at the point where the heel comes into contact with the surface of the mat.

It is in this area that the mat begins to actively wear out. Bald spots and holes form. This can become an identifier when choosing a used car, by the way.

That is, the appearance of the floor covering noticeably deteriorates. Yes, some people don’t care at all, and they don’t care what happens to the rug. For others, it is very important to restore the coating and at least extend its service life.

There are several reasons to buy such a product:

• this is a way to replace an existing thrust bearing;
• option to enhance wear protection for a new mat;
• addition of coverage where there is no standard thrust bearing;
• increases the service life of mats;
• gives a sophisticated appearance;
• prevents shoes from slipping when driving.

How powerful these arguments are for each specific case must be decided directly by the motorist himself.

Detailing

Shoe cabinet parts

Details chipboard 16 mm, color: dark wenge:

• 1100*250 – roof/bottom, 2 pcs.
• 668*250 – sidewalls and internal stand, 3 pcs.
• 526*250 – internal horizontal shelves, 2 pcs.

Details chipboard 16 mm, color: light wenge:

Details chipboard 10 mm, color: light wenge:

• 510*140 – internal partitions for shoe boots – 4 pcs.
• 510*135 - internal partitions for shoe boots - 4 pcs.
• 510*85 - internal partitions for shoe boots - 4 pcs.

Fibreboard part 3 mm, color: white:

• 696*1096 – back wall – 1 pc.

Accessories for shoe racks

• Shoes - 4 sets. These are plastic sandwiches for the sidewalls, each set contains two pieces, size: 192*287*85*16;
• Handles – 4 pcs;
• Thrust bearings – 6 pcs.;
• Self-tapping screws;
• Confirmations
• Double-sided tape (for mounting facades).

Necessary tool

• Screwdriver;
• Screwdriver, tape measure, square;
• Confirmation bat;
• Screw bit;
• Drill for confirmations;
• Awl.

Uneven floor

When installing any furniture set, especially a kitchen one, it is necessary to use adjustable supports, since the floors may not be very level, and the height difference in different corners of one room can be measured by more than one centimeter. The presence of adjustable plinth legs creates additional convenience when installing on an uneven floor. The simplest adjustable support is a set of screws with a plastic head and a mating part, for example, a regular nut for a leg with an external thread, a “moustache” nut, or a corner bracket. Adjustment of such a leg is carried out by screwing the screw into the mating part by hand or with a screwdriver. The disadvantage of this design is that to adjust the height of the cabinet it is necessary to unload it, lift it, turn the leg, put the cabinet in place, evaluate the adjustment and, if necessary, repeat the sequence of actions, perhaps more than once. Work tables are installed on plastic supports with a height of 80 mm to 170 mm, which are adjustable in height, thanks to which the kitchen countertop acquires a perfectly horizontal position. The work table supports are covered with a plastic removable plinth, which has seals to prevent water from getting under the kitchen base. It's impossible to avoid crumbs and other food debris in the kitchen, but if there is free space between the floor and the bottom of the kitchen unit, then this debris can be easily removed.

Assembling a shoe rack

First of all, we assemble the frame of the shoe rack, four main parts - two sidewalls, a roof and a bottom. The box itself can be assembled at:

• Confirmats - here you will see the stubs from them,
• Minifixes - the process of installing an eccentric coupler is described in more detail in the article Installing a furniture eccentric,
• Furniture metal corners.

It's up to you to decide what will be easiest for you. I would still recommend minifixes.

After we assemble the box, we can install the internal parts.

The easiest way to screw them to the sidewalls and bottom is with confirmations, and to the roof and between each other in the center - with metal corners.

The final work on the frame will be the installation of the fiberboard back wall. In principle, nothing complicated should arise here.

It should be remembered that when installing the back wall of fiberboard, you should always have a perfect square/rectangle with even diagonals

Material of manufacture

As you already understand, with the help of adjustable furniture legs you can correctly distribute the weight of the entire structure, ensure stability and level position.

When choosing such elements, be sure to pay attention to the materials from which they are made. There are quite a few options, but several are the most common.

• Chromed steel. Perfect for rooms designed in a modern style. The details are smooth, with an iridescent texture. But the main thing here is that such legs can withstand about 700 kg of load. They are often mounted on massive sets and cabinets. The material is not afraid of scratches and washing with cleaning agents;
• Aluminum. Financially a fairly inexpensive option. But you shouldn’t count on the ability to withstand more than 500 kg of load. Aluminum is durable and resistant to household chemicals and rust. If desired or necessary, aluminum supports can be repainted in glossy or matte colors. You can imitate precious metals, wood, stone, etc.;

• Polypropylene. In terms of cost, these are the cheapest supports, but in terms of quality they are not much inferior to competitors. But if the furniture weighs more than 150 kg, it is not recommended to install polypropylene legs on them. The material does not spoil the coating; the elements themselves are often adjustable in height. They perform well with strong unevenness on the floor. Plastic is extremely easy to clean and is resistant to stains;
• Wood. Expensive, but environmentally friendly material. Basically, wood-based supports are installed on expensive furniture. But wooden legs should not be used to equip kitchen and bathroom furniture. Even with special treatment, they do not cope well with moisture, which is why they lose their initial strength parameters and lose their visual appeal.

As experts note, a steel telescopic support, that is, adjustable in height, having an additional protective coating, is considered the highest priority option. But in some cases you can use alternative materials.

Wheeled and roller

Over the past few decades, it has been believed that the most important thing in furniture supports is their ability to withstand loads. Decorative supports and cabriole-type legs that were once in the arsenals of old masters were forgotten in mass production because they required complex technologies and high-quality raw materials. As a development of functionality, a huge class of wheeled, roller and similar supports was created, which ensured the efficient movement of furniture products during operation. Armchairs, sofas, cabinets, bedside tables and any other objects were placed on movable supports. Neither armchairs, nor extendable sofas for the home, nor medical furniture, etc. can do without wheel supports. As you know, office workers even organize chair races.

Wheel supports come with a stopper, without a stopper, are attached to furniture using a platform, a threaded screw, or have a U-shaped fastening. The main advantages of wheel supports are their ability to bear increased rolling loads. The simplest wheel support is “straightforward”. Used in furniture that does not require turning, for example, sliding sofas. Supports for furniture that requires turning differ in load, appearance, and method of fastening.

Decorative supports stand out as a separate class. They are an element of the constructive design of furniture. Can be made of various materials: metal, plastic, wood or combinations thereof. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. With their help you can completely change the appearance of your furniture.