cabinet hinges

hi. having a huge problem trying to replace hinges on kitchen cabinets. although they are the same size as the old ones (3/8 self closing inset) the doors don't line up properly after installing them (doors overlap 1/8 inch). any ideas? thanks.

 

I used to stock and sell all types of hinges, plus other cabinet and drawer hardware, as part of my fastener business and am very curious about your problem.

From time to time a customer would stop in with the same problem as yours, or just the opposite - a gap, after installing new hinges.

Most of the time the problem centered around the customer reusing the holes that were located and drilled into the door for the old original hinges.

Reusing those holes under normal circumstances should work, but can only work if the new hinges match the old ones perfectly; but quite frankly sometimes new hinges that look just like the old ones are actually very different - made of different material, or made from a different gauge material, or have different plating, or the holes in the hinge are punched in a very slightly different location. All those 32nds and 16ths in these differences can add up.

For example; customers would often come in wanting to upgrade their old pitted chrome plated hinges for new solid polished brass. Side by side the chrome and brass looked the same size. They looked like a match, easily switched, but they were actually very different. The brass were a much thicker gauge and the location of the holes didn't quite match the holes in the chrome, so trying to use the existing holes in the cabinet door would cause an overlap. It's worth repeating that all those 32nd and 16th differences here and there add up.

This could be your problem, and can be solved by drilling new holes - both in the door side of the hinge and in the door. You need to do that. Reaming out the holes in the hinge isn't a real good fix. Three new holes in the hinge with three new properly located holes in the door may be the answer.

There are so many types and styles and sizes of hinges it is mind boggling. Very many are very easily interchangable, but more are not - just missing by fractions of an inch.

 

thanks for the quick response. the hinges do seem to line up perfectly, but they may be different materials. the old ones are definitely heavier. i went and purchased a different set and now have a gap! i thought about drilling new holes, but they would be so close to the original ones. would wood filler be enough to hold up? this project is turning into more than i bargained for! thanks again.

 

Wood filler or a two part epoxy might work, so would reaming, or stretching the hinge holes with a drill bit - but IMHO I think that you'll be much better off if you drill three new holes in the door side of your inset hinge and three new matching holes in your cabinet door.

 

gotcha! thanks again! and yet another question....i assume i need a special drill bit for the hinge? tia