How to Change a Surface Mount Hinge to a European Hinge

Open the cabinet door and remove the screws securing the surface mount hinge to the cabinet door. Ask your helper to hold the door as you remove the hinge securing screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

Remove the screws securing the hinge to the cabinet with the screwdriver. Sand the area where the screw holes are on the cabinet to remove wood splinters.

Set a towel or sheet on a flat surface such as a work table. Put the cabinet door face down over the flat surface.

Position the template that comes with the European hinges you are installing onto the hinge side of the cabinet door. Each size and overlay type is different. Mark the center line for each cup hole onto the door and the center of each securing screw. There is also a template for the inside of the cabinet.

Install a 1 3/8-inch wood paddle bit into your drill. A paddle bit is a wood boring bit. Ask your helper to hold the cabinet door firmly as you drill out the cup holes.

Place the center point of the paddle bit onto the center mark for the cup hole. Hold the drill straight and cut a hole to the depth of hinge cup. Check the fit of the hinge cup periodically during the drilling process. The cup should fit into the hole with the flange of the hinge flush against the door. Repeat for the opposite hole.

Drill pilot holes into the door at the marks with a 3/16-inch drill bit. Drill to a depth of 1/8-inch. Repeat the pre-drilling process for the mounting screws inside the cabinet.

Install the cups of the European hinges into the cup holes with the opposite side of the hinge pointing away from the door. Secure it with the retaining screws and a Phillips screwdriver.

Ask your helper to hold the door in place over the cabinet while you secure the hinge to the cabinet with a Phillips screwdriver.