A Step-by-Step Guide to Hinge Boring for Cabinet Doors

When it comes to installing cabinet doors, hinge boring is a crucial step for ensuring smooth operation and perfect alignment. While we offer hinge boring as a standard service, it’s important to note that everyone has different preferences for hinge placement. If you prefer a custom hinge location, we recommend not selecting the hinge boring option and instead doing it yourself based on your specific needs. Here’s a guide on how to bore hinge holes with precision.

What Is Hinge Boring?

Hinge boring is the process of drilling holes into the back of the cabinet doors to fit the hinges. This allows the hinges to sit flush with the door for a clean, streamlined look and makes the door easier to hang.

1. Our Standard Hinge Placement

Our standard practice is to place the hinges 4 1/4 inches from the top and bottom of the cabinet door. This placement provides optimal support for the door’s weight and ensures smooth operation. However, we understand that some customers may prefer different hinge locations based on their specific project.

• 4 1/4 inches from the top and 4 1/4 inches from the bottom is our standard measurement.
• For taller doors (over 40 inches), we recommend adding a third hinge in the center for extra support.

If you have specific requirements for hinge placement and prefer a different location, we suggest not selecting the hinge boring option from us and instead boring the holes yourself according to your preferred measurements.

2. Selecting the Right Boring Bit

For most cabinet doors, a 35mm hinge boring bit is the standard size for European-style hinges. Make sure to check the specifications of your hinges to ensure you have the correct bit.

• You can use a drill press or hinge boring machine for consistent results.
• For manual drilling, make sure to measure carefully and drill slowly to avoid mistakes.

3. Boring the Holes

To bore the holes, position the bit on your marks (whether you’re following the 4 1/4-inch standard or your custom measurement):

• With a hinge boring machine, align the door and drill at the desired distance from the top and bottom.
• For manual drilling, go slowly to avoid splintering and ensure that the depth matches the hinge cup so that it sits flush.

4. Test Fit the Hinges

Once the holes are bored, place the hinges into the holes to check the fit. The hinge should sit snugly and flush with the surface of the door.

5. Final Thoughts

For those who prefer custom hinge placement, it’s important to note that 4 1/4 inches is our standard, but you can bore your own hinge holes according to your project needs. If you prefer to handle this step yourself, we recommend not selecting the hinge boring option when ordering from us. Following these steps will ensure precise results and smooth operation for your cabinet doors.