Expert: Jamie Yocono - 1/17/2009

Question
Hi Jamie,
I accidentally bought those press-in hinges for a single cabinet. Do I remove the dowels from the screws, tap the dowels into the door first then screw the cup hinge into the dowels? I do not have a Blum Mini Press or any fancy tools to install these. Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Molly

Answer
Molly,

If I understand your question correctly, you have doors that have have the cup and dowel holes, but no way to install them. Right? Simply remove the screw from the dowel. Hold the dowel with a pair of pliers, and remove (unscrew) the screw.

Now - do you have holes that will accept the dowels? If you have dowel holes, tap the dowels into them. It's a little tough to do. OK, it's more than tough, it's a pain in the neck. I've sometimes rigged up a C-clamp to "press" them into place. It works nicely, make sure you use clamp pads if you do this, so you don't dent the wood on the front of the door. I've even done this with a big vise on my workbench. My friends call me McGuyver, do you remember that silly TV show?

Once the dowels are in place, press the hinge into the cup hole, and install the screws into the dowels.

If you don't have dowel holes, then simply install the screw into the wood. Of course, make sure you pre-drill your screw holes. No sense tempting fate.

OK, it's pretty simple - good luck, and write back if you have more questions. Or if I didn't understand what you were asking.

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com