Concealed Hinges

[Dennis Putnam]

I built a pair of cabinet doors and am ready to bore the holes for the hinges (1 1/4"). I opened the package expecting to find information on how far in from the edge to locate the pockets. I was surprised to discover the instructions were silent. These are overlay doors dimensioned for 1/2" overlap. How do I determine how far in to locate each bore? TIA.

[Al Launier]

There are a number of sites that you can Google up "instructions for installing concealed hinges". This is just one of them http://www.popularwoodworking.com/projects/aw-extra-103113-european-hinges

[Andrew Hughes]

Test run on some scraps. Drill the cup mount the hinges see how they adjust you can do this all on scraps.Much better then some silly instructions on the Internet.

[Jerry Miner]

Yes, test on scrap (probably 35mm cup holes--the industry standard-- can use 1 3/8")

What make of hinge?

[Dennis Putnam]

Thanks for the replies. I always use scrap to test before I do the real thing but I need a starting point. This is indeed 35mm (Liberty) hinge. I found plenty of instructions (including the one posted) that give a hard number for the dimension from the edge (3/4" and one said 7/8") but I'm not understanding why that is not a calculated number. Supposed my overlap was 1" or 3/4" rather than 1/2"? How can the distance from the edge always be the same?

[Jerry Miner]

Dennis-- I am not familiar with Liberty hinges (I typically use Blum)-- but, in general, Euro hinges can be configured different ways, with different overlays, by combining the hinge type (staight-arm, half-crank, full-crank) with the mounting plate thickness.

I did find some info on-line for a Liberty hinge (http://www.libertyhardware.com/images/instructionsheets/Soft-Close_Overlay_Hinges.pdf)--don't know if it is the one you have--which shows a 13/16" boring location.

[Dennis Putnam]

Yes, those are the ones. Odd that the 13/16" location is not on the instructions in the package. Thanks, at least I have a place to start but I am assuming the dimension is for 3/4" stiles overlapping by 1/2". I still wonder how I would do this if I had a different overlap other then by trial and error.

[Jerry Miner]

For a different overlay, you would need a different hinge. That hinge is designed for 1/2" overlay (with some adjustment room)

[Jerry Miner]

If you want to go deeper into the world of Euro hinges, you might want to look at one (or more) of the European manufacturers (Blum, Grass, Salice, ...)---you will find a variety of options, including opening angle, soft-close, a range of overlay dimensions, full inset, etc.

[Dennis Putnam]

Thanks again. Interesting that there is nothing in the packaging or labeling that says it is only for 1/2" overlay. I was not aware there were different hinges for different overlays and I'm guessing that is because they are less common so few sell them. That explains a lot.

[lowell holmes]

I suggest that you make a door out of scrap and play with hinge location until you get it. I've done that in the past.