How I found some hard-to-find parts for our Merillat kitchen cabinets

[azasadny]

Several years ago, we renovated our kitchen and installed new Merillat cabinets. My next-door neighbor did almost all of the "construction" while I did the "destruction".

The corner cabinets have these "Rube Goldberg-like" 170 degree hinges and so far, 2 of the 4 have broken. I went to the local Merillat dealer and he confirmed that the hinges are expensive ($40 each) and he thought he could get me the replacement plate free from a dealer he knows. Several days before my "BBQ grill disaster", he got the broken part and didn't change us for it.

While lying on the couch this week, I searched and searched for the Blum hinge and there are at least 6 part numbers on the hinge, but I finally found the master part number. The great news is that the hinges were about $5 each and the plates were $2 each. I got 5 complete hinge assemblies and the proper screws to install them for about $35, with shipping, it was about $45

I'm not affiliated in any way with this website, I'm just a very satisfied customer. Here are some pics to show what broke and how "over engineered" the hinge really is...

Broken base plate...


hinge assy...



Hinge from hell...



Here is the website I got the parts from. Their search tool really worked, as none of the other similar sites could locate the part...

Clip Off Center Face Frame Mounting Plate 0mm (#175L6600.22) by Blum | Shop & Save at CabinetParts.com

In case anyone else here needs any hard-to-find cabinets parts...

[Scott R]

I was about to get really happy when I followed that link, I too have Merrilat cabinets and I'm in need of some hinges as well. I did find my hinge, but it's discontinued.

[look 171]

It is a Blum 170 degree hinge. All you need is the 0mm mounting plate.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Scott R

I was about to get really happy when I followed that link, I too have Merrilat cabinets and I'm in need of some hinges as well. I did find my hinge, but it's discontinued.

Get me a pic and I will try to help you with it. We use only Blum and Grass hinges only in our shop. If they make it, I may have used it one time or another.

[azasadny]

I bought the entire hinge because when they fail (I'm confident that they will), I'll have the part I need and the cabinet guy in our town said they are hard to find and may be discontinued in the future. They are so over-engineered and unnecessarily complex that there are many parts that can fail, including plastic portions of the hinge.

If your part is discontinued, I'd call or email them with the part number or a picture, since they might still have a few...

[look 171]

Originally Posted by azasadny

I bought the entire hinge because when they fail (I'm confident that they will), I'll have the part I need and the cabinet guy in our town said they are hard to find and may be discontinued in the future. They are so over-engineered and unnecessarily complex that there are many parts that can fail, including plastic portions of the hinge.

If your part is discontinued, I'd call or email them with the part number or a picture, since they might still have a few...

They all fit in the same 35mm cup hole and the screw (plastic insert) holes are always the same 32mm apart. Don't worry about the hinge going south on you unless the door is too heavy for the number of hinges used. Your cabinet guy may not be knowledgeable on European or Blum hinges. When and if you change the hinges, I suggest changing the pair or how many that are on that door. You can still get those all day long.

Jeff

[azasadny]

Jeff,
Thanks, I'm going to change the two hinges on each corner cabinet. I think my neighbor used the wrong screws, which led to the plate getting damaged and then breaking from stress. I'll keep the original two hinges that aren't broken as "spares".We have the Merillat classic cabinets and the doors seem very heavy. The hinges have never worked correctly and I'm looking forward to doing the job the right way!

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by look 171

Get me a pic and I will try to help you with it. We use only Blum and Grass hinges only in our shop. If they make it, I may have used it one time or another.

Thank you, thank you! Here is a picture I just snapped.

[look 171]

That's a old Grass hinge with a 3/8" (?) overlay plate. Measure how much does the door hang over the face frame and order the plate accordingly. You can replace that with a Blum Compact 33 hinge. It will fit in there just fine. YOu must replace the both hinges and the plates.

[azasadny]

I know Blum is in NC, but the hinge I have has "Austria" stamped on it. Are all of the Euro hinges made elsewhere? Just curious. Thanks again!

[look 171]

Blum is actually German but many of their early products that were imported into the US were made in Europe. Hinges were mostly made in Austria. Grass is German and Hafele as well. You have be careful with Hafele, their stuff are made all over the place. Most of their stuff are well built. Then there are many Italian copy of the German hardware, which is OK IMO but not my first choice.

[azasadny]

Thanks for the info!!

[azasadny]

I checked out upper cabinets and the hinges are all "Grass", only the two end "lazy susan" type cabinets are the Blum hinges. I believe the incorrect screws caused the stress that broke the hinges, so I ordered the correct size and type of screws when I ordered the hinges, so I'll replace all 4 hinges when they come in and my leg has healed enough.

[look 171]

Normally the plates do not break, unless there's something under the plate or missing screw. The hinges will wear but not the plate. It sounds like they are hinged to a pair of bi-fold doors with a special hinge between those? Use a #6 to 8, 1" -1 1/4" sheet metal screw. Make sure to pre drill for a pilot hole before installation. I think one of the screw was loose or missing causing the stress only on one side of the mounting plate with prolong use causing the breakage. don't use the little that come with the hinge. They will work themselves loose and it will break the plate again. You should check all of the screws on the cabinets. those little 5/8" screw are worthless on face frames. Normally a special screw is used because that really grab well into two of the 32mm holes.

[azasadny]

Yes, you're right! The screws were too small and they failed, putting stress on the last screw, eventually breaking the Hinge plate.

[azasadny]

The new parts arrived the other day and yesterday evening I replaced all 4 hinges, base plates, using the right screws that I ordered. Sure enough, the existing screws were the wrong size, putting stress on the plate, which failed at the screw holes. It was a very easy replacement and the "quick release hinges really made it fast!!