Thread: Drilling Hole for 35mm Concealed Hinges

We just use a Forstner bit in a handheld drill.
Make sure it sits flat and make an inprint of the hole at slow speed. Then just drill normally wirk repeated stops to allow the swarf to be removed. The depth of a Blum hinge is the depth of the Forstner bit.
The distance between the hinges should be greater than the width of the door.
Make sure the hinges are closed, as in as close to the door edges as possible before you mount the plate so as to give you the maximum play for adjustments.
Such as front screw adjusted so the door is level with the inside edge of the cabinet and the rear screw close to the front of the cabinet.
I can email you a pdf file with all the instructions if you wish

Wolffie

Well! Haven't you now got the perfect reason to buy a decent Drill Press??

Mal

I've only installed a few of these type of hinges,
aligning the drill bit with the set-out marks was the hardest bit

you can use a forstner bit in a hand drill if you take care



ian

Aldi is selling a cheap (under $60) drill press this week.

Maybe worth considering?

an elcheapo drill press is the easy way to go.

You can also use one of those cheapie drill press stands for a handheld drill. I bought one from Aldi and turned it in to a pen press.

You can also buy a cheap plastic template from Hettich to mark out the holes for these hinges.

Thanks for the replies.
I think I will take a look at the Aldi $60 option. I had a look at the Ryobi 1/3 HP model at Mitre 10 today and it was priced at $110. It has the same sized motor so may be similar.
There have been a few times when I could have used a drill press in the past but I can't really justify the cost at the moment as I have spent a bit in the last few weeks.
Has anyone got the Aldi $60 model? What do you think?
Mal

Well I went to Aldi yesterday morning to have a look at their Drill Press but it wasn't there. Apparently it has been held up with transport and should be arriving in a few days.
So I guess I will look again over the weekend.
I also went to Bunnings and they had a GMC Model DP2 also for sale at $59 so I will see if I can do some basic comparisons when the Aldi model arrives.
If anyone has either of these models and would care to comment on their performance, it would be appreciated.
Mal

MalF,
I have drilled literally hundreds of 35mm holes for concealed hinges using a hand drill.I use variable speed drills and drill slowly until I am cutting a full circle and then increase the speed.
Fletty

Mal F,

A drill press of some sort is always handy to have but you do not need it for your current task. I have installed quite a few concealed hinges over the years and always using a power drill freehand. It's easier than you may think. Give it a try and you will save your money - for now.

Didn't have Forstener bit so took 2 doors to cabinet place today. Had everything marked out. $10 2 holes.

)*()*^(^$&%@^$#@ wrong )(&(*%*&$^#@ position !!!

So it looks like I can use my drill and buy a 35mm forstner bit, about $30 for a tungsten tipped I think. Look out for the cursing if I come out the other side.

On the other hand, I think I can justify a cheap $59 drill press.
If I was to buy the router bit from Linbide US$77 plus postage and exchange probably A$90 landed and only the single use application.

I can buy the drill press $60 plus bit $30 and have ongoing drill press application for the same cost.

On artme's deal $10 for 2 holes, I have 8 holes = $40. I know, I know probably charge $20 for 8 holes but I am justifying.

I don't hear a rush of promising reports from ALDI or GMC Drill Press owners. Is that because they don't rate a mention or is it too embarrasing to admit that you own one?

Out of interest I have done a bit of research some time ago on the $300 range drill presses. My short list was:
Trade Tools TTK1316F $278
Hare & Forbes Hafco SPD20B $299
But that is for the future and not going to happen at the moment.

I'll let you know what I decide.
Mal

I would just use the forstner type bit in the drill too...

I have a small Ryobi drill press (bought it just after GST came in)...use it a lot for all sorts of things, a but a bit gutless...easy to stall even on lowest speed.

Can always use a template and your router... I do it that way for clock inserts... same principle as fitting hinges.


Cheers,

Chipman

to confuse you further

aligning the work piece under the drill press can be a real pain (and really time consuming) especially for two or three doors

next time I'm going to do it with a hand held drill


also, the carbide tipped forstner is (IMO) overkill for two or three doors



ian