I’m refinishing our kitchen cabinets and will be making new doors for them. But I need help figuring out if there is a hinge that can be used on the existing mounting style (cut outs in the face frame). Here is my dilemma:
1. I want to use euro (concealed) hinges.
2. The existing hinges had a partial reveal (the hinge pin itself). They were mounted to the face frame w/ a clamping mechanism that slips into a T-shaped slot in the face frame. It is essentially a through mortise (running vertically) with a slot running perpendicular (exiting the interior side of the frame) which accomodates the screw of the clamping mechanism (think of a short, wide T on its side on the face frame).
So it essentially sandwiches the face frame between two pieces of the hinge to mount it. To remove or install you simply loosen/tighten a screw and the hinge slides in or out of the slot.
3. I can’t find any hinges that use this same mount. A euro hinge would cover the hole, however I would need to fill the hole with something for strength and mounting of the euro hinge (which will be time consuming).
What do I do and where can I find hinges that use this existing mounting style?
Thanks for any ideas, Jake
Replies
That hinge sounds unusual.
I'd check your local hardware store for selection; if necessary Home Cheapo. Then refinish/repair the f. frame as needed.
Hey Jake,
I doubt you'll find replacements for that exact hinge, I can't recall running across that style in any suppliers' literature. Maybe consider using full overlay doors (since you are making new anyway). The doors should cover a great deal if not all of the cut out in the face frame. Also, face frame hinges have plates that get screwed to the edge of the face frame, they may help conceal the old cut-out. Doesn't mean I wouldn't patch up the old cut-out, I'd just try to hide the patch best I could.
On a different note......... How old are the cabinets? Are the carcasses in good shape? Is re-finishing them saving you over the cost of starting from scratch? What about the drawers? I've been through this before is why I bring it up. You may find that new doors make the rest of the cabinets look old regardless of how well the re-finish goes. Be prepared for a lot of work!!
Good luck,
-Paul
I second your suggestion. I made new inset doors/drawers to replace our tired overlay doors. The real problem was that the original cabinet maker wasn't too careful when it came to making the boxes square (since the overlay would conceal his mistakes). Matching my doors to the openings was almost more time consuming than building the doors in the first place. And while I've received many compliments, they're still not just right and I notice it everytime I see them.Stace Caseria
Jake,
I know that exact style of hinge you speak of. It was quite popular in the 50's and 60's. When I lived in Ohio I used to buy them from my local lumber yard for .25 cents a piece. I doubt if you will find replacements, unless you can find a hardware store that has been in business for about 60 years and search their old stock.
It would be a lot of work to fill all those tiny mortises in your face frames but I doubt if you have any other alternatives. I would mill up some thin stock to glue in the slots and then use a contemporary hinge of your choice to re-hang the new doors.
Sorry I can't be more help.
Good luck.
J.P.
Thanks everyone. I actually found some online, they are called double demountable hinges. However they won't allow the overlay I want (and the barrel is visible). I found a local store that was able to tell me what they are, and contrary to popular belief they are still made (Rockler even has them). However they didn't show up on any searches until I found out the actual term for them.
I think I will just cut some small filler pieces and then get a euro style hinge w/ a large enough plate to cover that fill piece. As for making new carcasses, right now that is not an option. The cabinets have to go back up this weekend for the contractor to finish the rest of the kitchen. They are actually in pretty good shape and I am 75% through refinishing them at this point and are turning out pretty good. If we stay in the house I'll probably make all new cabs, but for now I (and my pregnant wife) want a functional kitchen. Especially with guests coming for Christmas. Though the doors and drawers will have to wait until afterwards.
Happy Holidays!
how did cabinet hinges turn out??
trying to go from double demountable hinges to euro .... how did yours turn out? Any tips for filling the slots are appreciated. I am a complete novice.
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