How to Make Holes in Cabinet Doors for Overlay Hinges

Overlay hinges are used on cabinet doors that rest on top of the side edges of the cabinet. The hinges are completely concealed behind the cabinet doors on this type of installation, making them a sleek modern option for homeowners. In order to install the hinges on the door, you must drill a hole for the hinge mount to fit into place. Drilling the hole is not a difficult task, but you do need to be careful when marking its position so that the door will align correctly when installed.

Overlay hinges, with screws and paper template
Awl
Drill press
35mm Forstner bit
Fine-grit sanding pad

Instructions

- 1
  Lay one of the cabinet doors flat on a work surface with the backside face-up.
- 2
  Align the paper template included with the hinge onto the hinge side of the door. Mark the center of the hole for the hinge mount with an awl.
- 3
  Insert a Forstner bit into the chuck of a drill press and tighten it with the chuck key. Place the cabinet door flat on the table of the drill press.
- 4
  Line up the awl mark on the door with the center of the Forstner bit then drill a hole with the drill press into the cabinet door to the depth of the hinge mount’s thickness.
- 5
  Sand the drilled hole lightly with a fine-grit sanding pad to smooth the drilled edges so that the hole is clean and free of rough edges.
- 6
  Repeat the process for the remaining cabinet doors that require overlay hinges.

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