Cutting hinge hole in wood

[Redhotferrari]

Hi Guys,

After some advice, planning on making a cupboard in an area that will not allow for me to purchase a 'standard' item, actually its not a cupboard it a kind of bar........

My plans are this, in the corner of the room to build a frame and attach side boards which will hold the doors, that I will be having made to size, however one of my problems is about the hinges!

Assuning they are standard 'kitchen' type doors and using these kind of hinges, whats the best way of cutting the large round recess to hold the hinge? Do not have a router! Is there a tool that will fit in a normal drill to do this?

 

[disinfo]

You're looking for a forstner bit.

 

[Jasonb]

There are plenty of hinge drills available for just that.

Jason

 

[xerxes]

Either a Forstner bit of the correct size, or a purpose-made hinge boring bit like these.

You will also need a drill guide or a drill press: don't try using these bits in a hand-held power drill.

 

[Jasonb]

You can use them in a handheld cordless or mains drill if you knock up a simple guide something like this and don't drill too deep

Jason

 

[xerxes]

A good suggestion.

But how do you make an accurate drill guide without using a drill guide or a drill press to make it?

And how do you accurately control the depth of drilling using such a guide?

I'm not criticising, just curious.

 

[Jasonb]

I only use the guide to save marking out individual holes, its easy enough to start the bits on a marked point and hold the drill up straight to mak ethe initial jig

As for depth when the top of the bit is level with the top of the jig I've got a 13mm deep hole

I did use a similar jig in conjunction with a router fitted with a 40mm guide bush and a suitable speed rated hinge bit to plunge cut but the same bit in a cordless is actually easier and quicker. As for using a drill press, mine is too close to one wall to get wardrobe doors in, and you would need roller stands or similar to balance the door while you drilled.

Jason

 

[imamartian]

how about a hungry woodworm tethered to a drawing pin by a short piece of cotton?

 

[Bilioustrumpstaine]

Have plenty of practice runs on some scrap first.

A new drill can run away sometimes