How to Make a Hole for a Furniture Hinge in Chipboard Without a Router • New Hinge


Guide for installing accessories

A special template for drilling holes necessary for attaching handles to doors and drawers without preliminary marking.
The top and side stops are installed along the edges of the part and aligned with rulers. Then all that remains is to move the movable bushings to the required distance and drill holes. A convenient template with which you can quickly and easily attach guides for drawers without fussing with markings. To do this, you just need to install the jig at the desired height, fix it with a vertical stop, and then put the guide on top and secure it. The second part is mounted opposite in the same way.

Expert opinion

Strebizh Viktor Fedorovich, leading construction foreman

The fact is that steel that heats up to hundreds of degrees in high-quality cutters is used, hardened, and will become much softer and more ductile. If you want to clarify something, please contact me!

How to choose a drill

The most important thing is to clarify the dimensions of the fittings. It depends on them what size drill you need to purchase.


Take measurements carefully before drilling.

The most popular diameter is 35 mm. It is almost universal: you can install hinges for any furniture in such a hole.


It is advisable to practice on a piece of chipboard before drilling a hole on the door.

When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the quality of the material. Products made from HSS (high-speed steel) have the best performance. Such a drill will not become dull and will not leave chips on the product.

Take measurements carefully before drilling.

How to choose?

Make sure that the bridge and cutting edges of the cutter are not damaged or have any visible manufacturing defects. Avoid Chinese counterfeits: the branded cutter is made of high-speed (tool) steel, the edges and protrusions are located evenly, without distortions.

During operation, the cutter should not “wiggle” or vibrate - otherwise the cutter mechanism will become misaligned, and drilling, even with high-quality drill bits, will turn out to be of poor quality.

When choosing cutters, take care to choose the right machine. The more and more diverse functionality it has, the faster and easier things will go.

Finally, you should check the device when purchasing it. The seller will turn it on and demonstrate the operation of the router. In some cases, by purchasing an additional cutter and bringing with him a piece of wood, the buyer can personally (or with the help of a technical specialist) test the router in conditions that are extremely close to real ones.

16 products for those who assemble furniture - Lifehacker

Compact ratchet with a set of the most necessary bits. Thanks to its miniature size, it can be used even in the most inconvenient places. The bits are inserted without any adapters; there is a switching mechanism to change the direction of rotation.

Expert opinion

Strebizh Viktor Fedorovich, leading construction foreman

A convenient device with a well-thought-out metal design and a set of necessary accessories, which allows you to quickly drill holes not only for dowels and confirmations, but also for eccentric ties of mini-fixes. If you want to clarify something, please contact me!

Types of drills for furniture hinges

To install hinges, drills of different diameters are used. The nozzle is selected depending on the size of the furniture hinge bowl.


Choose quality drill bits.

Forstner drill

This tool is used to create a blind hole. It consists of a head with 2-4 sharp tips and another tip for centering.


We decided to install the hinges locally so as not to end up on the shelf in the closet.

It is installed in the intended middle of the hole. Attach the drill to a screwdriver or drill.


To install the cabinet you need a drill and other tools.

The head can have a diameter of 26, 35, 40 mm. Typically the hole is made to a depth of 9 mm.

Other

Other drills are also available in several diameters: 26, 35, 40 mm. 35 mm cutters are considered the most popular, since such hinges are in greatest demand.


A drill will help make a hole to the required depth.

Manufacturers also offer drills for non-standard hinges and special attachments for professional milling machines.


There are special screws that should be used to fasten the hinges.

How can you strengthen a furniture hinge?

In order to make the loop stronger, there are several ways:

If a situation occurs in which a chipboard cabinet door becomes deformed and the hinges fall off, do not panic. The process of replacing hinges and installing the product is very simple and does not require much effort.

You must follow the instructions and carry out repair work with extreme care and diligence.

You can find various tools for repairs on the website of the TechMash company. Also here you can buy pneumatic tools in St. Petersburg or other types of repair equipment.

We start drilling with a 35 mm drill and make a hole of small depth. We obtain the remaining depth with a cup drill of a smaller diameter, moving it along the surface of our hole. Not much work, actually, because... The hinge cup is not strictly round in shape.

By the way, during operation the scattering of “fragments” is quite decent. To limit the range and reduce the time for subsequent cleaning, you can use a simple technique. A protective casing is made from a cake or pizza lid (it’s the latter in the photo below) (sounds pretentious). During operation, all sawdust is inside and nearby.

We remove the cardboard and sawdust all nearby. All that remains is to remove it with a brush/vacuum cleaner in one pass.

Maria , Access date: 2015-02-18 18:10:07

Please tell me what to do if the drill “leads”? The hole is ellipsoidal. Material – beech (everything is better on chipboard). The drill has a side blade. I’m already thinking about buying a machine for a drill or looking for someone to make it to order (((

Roman , Access date: 2011-08-01 19:14:59

It’s been a long time since I read somewhere this technique for drilling for hinges. Take two Forstner drills. One of them has the central spine completely cut off. Start drilling with a normal drill, finish with a sawed one - and the hole will be perfectly blind.

Andrew , Access date: 2010-07-21 17:35:59

To the previous question. 5-7 to the edge of the hole or its middle?

From the edge, of course. We drill hole 35. Are there no instructions for the loop? It would be better to estimate the location just in case. Or make a test piece of wood completely and see how it turns out.

Timurka, Access date: 2010-07-05 22:01:39

This is not a cup drill, but a milling cutter. Yes, you can get this hole with a single 35th milling cutter. Why do little ones need to earn extra money?

https://www.biver.ru/content/chashechnye-svyorla Maybe we're both right? Regarding why two drills are needed - the protruding part of my particular drill was too long. The length of the working part + the length of the tip was almost equal to the thickness of the chipboard. One awkward movement (pressure) and the part is screwed up. I just got the required depth with a smaller diameter. Kinky, but reliable.

piter , Access date: 2010-07-03 05:58:48

on the reverse side of the counter (mounting) strips of furniture hinges there are the letters A, or B or, C. What do they mean?

After googling, I couldn’t find the answer to the question, I haven’t encountered it myself, sorry.

BegemoD , Access date: 2010-04-13 13:40:21

At what distance from the edge of the door should I drill holes for the hinge cups?

Mini ratchet

Of course, their load-bearing capacity and ease of use are not always superior to those of models with other installation methods.

Expert opinion

Strebizh Viktor Fedorovich, leading construction foreman

These machines have found demand among all-round professionals, for whom the capabilities and skills of a furniture maker are considered one of the prospects of always being in business. If you want to clarify something, please contact me!

What is a drill for furniture hinges?

In order to install furniture hinges, special drills are used. These are special milling-type devices that can be used to make holes in wooden or plastic panels. A necessary condition is sufficient width and thickness of the panel. The drill is used when processing MDF, chipboard and laminated chipboard.

What are the sizes and diameters?

The holes are drilled in order to secure the furniture hinge cup in them. The diameter of the drill is selected based on the size of the furniture hinge. Standard cups come in the following diameters:

  • 26 mm;
  • 35 mm;
  • 40 mm.

The most widely used are loops with cups having a diameter of 35 mm. Using their example, let's look at the installation procedure.

How to use it to cut a hole for a loop?

To cut a hole for the hinge yourself and install it, you will need:

  • Measuring device (tape measure or ruler);
  • An awl or other sharp object;
  • Hand drill or screwdriver;
  • Drill for hinges;
  • A screwdriver or a special bit for installing self-tapping screws.

The hinge cup cuts directly into the facade, so it is necessary to mark it to determine the center of the future hole. It is important to correlate the intended position of the hinge with the location of the shelves or other fittings on the frame.

The center of the hole should be marked at a distance of 22-23 mm from the edge of the facade. In this case, there will be about 4-5 mm between the edge of the cup and the edge of the facade. Drilling is done after all markings have been completed.

This stage should be approached as responsibly as possible. It is necessary to drill a hole of such depth that the hinge bowl completely fits into it. It is important not to exceed the permissible depth, otherwise the facade will be damaged, as the drill will go right through.

Experts are inventing various methods to help avoid this problem. For example, they install a special limiting rod to which a drill with a cutter is attached, or they mount limit plates directly on the drill itself. Thanks to the use of such devices, the risk of damage to the facade is reduced, but you should still be careful when drilling.

Advice for those who are going to drill a hole for mounting a hinge for the first time - hone your skills on scraps of chipboard. Furniture fronts are usually made with a thickness of about 16 mm, while the height of the cutting tool (including the central tenon) exceeds this size. After making several holes, you can try on the hinge you are going to install. The cup should fit completely into the cavity, but should not rest against the chipboard.

In order for the process of selecting excess from the hole being made to be optimal, it is recommended to change the angle of inclination of the tool within small limits. This method allows you to speed up the drilling process and reduce overheating of the drill.

How to cut a hole for a hinge correctly

To work, you will need a drill or screwdriver, as well as several additional devices:

  • awl;
  • screwdriver or bit for self-tapping screws.


A screwdriver will help unscrew the hinges.
How to properly drill a hole for a furniture hinge:

  • apply markings on the facade of the product, mark the center (at a distance of 22-23 mm from the edge);
  • measure the height of the bowl to maintain the depth of the hole. If the bowl does not fit correctly, the facade will be damaged.


To avoid drilling through the part, you can use a special stop. The rod is attached directly to the tool or to the drill.


First you must decide how many hinges you will install and their exact location.

The device will help you maintain proportions when drilling, but you still shouldn’t forget about accuracy. Limiters will be useful in the work of a novice home craftsman.


Furniture hinges, attached after processing the base with such a tool, “sit” evenly and securely.

Advice. For the design to work properly, the bowl must fit entirely into the hole, but not rest against the slab.

Experienced craftsmen recommend that beginners practice using leftover material. Typically, sheets with a thickness of 16 mm are used for furniture, which is smaller than the size of a drill.


Consult with a specialist regarding the correct screwing of the hinges.

Therefore, before work, you need to learn how to adjust the depth of insertion of the tool.

Advice. To reduce operating time, you can slightly change the angle of inclination of the tool. Then you will be able to remove excess material from the part faster, and the drill will not overheat.


A Forstner drill is an inexpensive tool; it is better to purchase one before starting to assemble furniture. But if a special device is not at hand, you can replace it with a feather drill for wood.


You should select milling elements in specialized stores.

Some craftsmen recommend grinding off the central tenon, leaving 1.5 mm for adhesion to the wood. It is also necessary to grind off the cutting edges horizontally, leaving 1 mm spikes along the edges.


In order for the cabinet to last a long time, you need to adjust the hinges on the doors in all directions at once.

Other craftsmen advise using a regular feather drill (without modernization), and then processing the hole with a chisel.


You should always have a screwdriver on hand.

The tool must be set to low speed. You can also drill a hole for the loop using a homemade “ballerina”, selecting the center with a chisel.

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