What is a drill for furniture hinges
Milling type tool. It is used to create an indentation in the material. After use, you get a smooth blind hole into which the loop is inserted.
When installing furniture connecting elements, it is convenient to use a drill using a special drill.
When choosing, it is important to take into account the thickness of the panel and select a device whose diameter will match the parameters of the loop. Used for working with sheet materials - chipboard, laminated chipboard and MDF.
Screw the hinge exactly 90 degrees relative to the door.
Types of drills for furniture hinges
To install hinges, drills of different diameters are used. The nozzle is selected depending on the size of the furniture hinge bowl.
Choose quality drill bits.
Forstner drill
This tool is used to create a blind hole. It consists of a head with 2-4 sharp tips and another tip for centering.
We decided to install the hinges locally so as not to end up on the shelf in the closet.
It is installed in the intended middle of the hole. Attach the drill to a screwdriver or drill.
To install the cabinet you need a drill and other tools.
The head can have a diameter of 26, 35, 40 mm. Typically the hole is made to a depth of 9 mm.
Other
Other drills are also available in several diameters: 26, 35, 40 mm. 35 mm cutters are considered the most popular, since such hinges are in greatest demand.
A drill will help make a hole to the required depth.
Manufacturers also offer drills for non-standard hinges and special attachments for professional milling machines.
There are special screws that should be used to fasten the hinges.
Nuances of adjustment
Regardless of what types of furniture hinges are installed, it is necessary to adjust the canopy in three planes. In this case, you will have to disassemble and reassemble all the components of the fastener several times. Adjustment nuances:
- Adjustment in depth is made by pressing the hinge base to the plane of the facade and furniture body. The fasteners are loosened using a screwdriver. This type of adjustment is relevant in rooms where there are uneven floors. The tight fit of the hinge bases to the furniture planes will help smooth out all the nuances.
- Vertical adjustment is made by twisting the oval holes of the canopies. This work should be done every few months, as the door may sag over time under its own weight.
- Horizontal adjustment for hinges is carried out in order to ensure that the doors close tightly together or the door adheres to the wall of the furniture body. Thanks to the correct correction, it is possible to improve the movement of the valves from left to right and vice versa.
Any type of adjustment is best done after the furniture is in place. This will complicate the procedure, especially if the dimensions of the structure are not small, but it will be possible to accurately solve problems associated with uneven floors and walls. If you follow all the recommendations exactly, the installed fittings and furniture will last a long time without repair.
How to choose a drill
The most important thing is to clarify the dimensions of the fittings. It depends on them what size drill you need to purchase.
Take measurements carefully before drilling.
The most popular diameter is 35 mm. It is almost universal: you can install hinges for any furniture in such a hole.
It is advisable to practice on a piece of chipboard before drilling a hole on the door.
When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the quality of the material. Products made from HSS (high-speed steel) have the best performance. Such a drill will not become dull and will not leave chips on the product.
Take measurements carefully before drilling.
How to cut a hole for a hinge correctly
To work, you will need a drill or screwdriver, as well as several additional devices:
- awl;
- screwdriver or bit for self-tapping screws.
A screwdriver will help unscrew the hinges.
How to properly drill a hole for a furniture hinge:
- apply markings on the facade of the product, mark the center (at a distance of 22-23 mm from the edge);
- measure the height of the bowl to maintain the depth of the hole. If the bowl does not fit correctly, the facade will be damaged.
To avoid drilling through the part, you can use a special stop. The rod is attached directly to the tool or to the drill.
First you must decide how many hinges you will install and their exact location.
The device will help you maintain proportions when drilling, but you still shouldn’t forget about accuracy. Limiters will be useful in the work of a novice home craftsman.
Furniture hinges, attached after processing the base with such a tool, “sit” evenly and securely.
Advice. For the design to work properly, the bowl must fit entirely into the hole, but not rest against the slab.
Experienced craftsmen recommend that beginners practice using leftover material. Typically, sheets with a thickness of 16 mm are used for furniture, which is smaller than the size of a drill.
Consult with a specialist regarding the correct screwing of the hinges.
Therefore, before work, you need to learn how to adjust the depth of insertion of the tool.
Advice. To reduce operating time, you can slightly change the angle of inclination of the tool. Then you will be able to remove excess material from the part faster, and the drill will not overheat.
A Forstner drill is an inexpensive tool; it is better to purchase one before starting to assemble furniture. But if a special device is not at hand, you can replace it with a feather drill for wood.
You should select milling elements in specialized stores.
Some craftsmen recommend grinding off the central tenon, leaving 1.5 mm for adhesion to the wood. It is also necessary to grind off the cutting edges horizontally, leaving 1 mm spikes along the edges.
In order for the cabinet to last a long time, you need to adjust the hinges on the doors in all directions at once.
Other craftsmen advise using a regular feather drill (without modernization), and then processing the hole with a chisel.
You should always have a screwdriver on hand.
The tool must be set to low speed. You can also drill a hole for the loop using a homemade “ballerina”, selecting the center with a chisel.
Adjustment
The final stage of installing furniture canopies is regulation. After the door is attached to the body, it is necessary to make adjustments in three planes. Of course, you will have to unscrew and tighten the screw several times, but a favorable outcome is guaranteed. Three planes are vertical, horizontal and relative to the depth of fixation:
- adjustment relative to depth helps to press the facade closer to the body or weaken it. Use a screwdriver to tighten the oval hole. This type of adjustment is widely used in rooms where the floors have some unevenness;
- Vertical adjustment helps move the façade in a vertical position. Adjustment is made by tightening the oval holes. After some time, the door may sag. Therefore, it is necessary to regulate canopies occasionally;
- horizontal adjustment involves moving the door from left to right or vice versa. Its purpose is to avoid gaps between the door and the cabinet body. Let's apply this method in rooms with uneven walls and floors.
The adjustment step can be performed when the cabinet is not yet hung. But, in order to immediately find your bearings regarding the walls and ceiling, it is best to hang the cabinet on the wall.
It turns out that you don’t need any special knowledge or skills to attach hinges. Installing a furniture hinge is not difficult at all. The main thing is that when installing a furniture hinge, marking and installation were carried out taking into account all the rules. This allows you to avoid the appearance of cracks on the facade, gaps between the body and the door, and friction when opening. Moreover, work done with your own hands brings a lot of positive emotions.
