Cabinet Doors & Hinges

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

I have a face frame type cabinet and would like to make some full overlap doors for it.

I also have some Mepla hinges I'd like to use (they look like the Blum hinges) and I bought them a long time form I dunno where. These are the type of door hinges often called "Euro-style" - they fit into a 35 mm hole you bore into the back of the cabinet door, and then click into a triangular cross-sectioned part that is screwed onto the side of the face frame.

I measured the openings of the face frame cabinet "hole." But then I started thinking... how big should the doors be? At first I just figured 1" bigger doors for both ht. and width (which would give 1/2" overlap of the doors over the cabinet holes.

My problem is I need to figure out the size of the doors not just as things that sit over the cabinet holes, but so they will open properly with these hinges - for clearance and also so the overlap comes out right when closed.

So, I tried to contact Mepla for help. Unfortunately they were bought by some company called Grass, and I have not been able to find Grass or get any help from them.

Does anybody know how to figure out door sizing for these type of hinges?

MBAtarga · 03-20-2014, 01:19 PM

You probably need to just mock up two pieces of wood to simulate the side panel/frame and the cabinet door itself and determine how much overlap you can have on the hinge side of the door. There are so many different designs for the euro hinges - some have full overlap, others inset, others half overlap, etc....

edit: here's a site with an image of different styles:
http://www.ebco.in/slip-on-hinge-euro.html

intakexhaust · intakexhaust's Garage

I have an excel SS for figuring overlay doors or you might check the more simple online calcs. Whats the Mepla i.d. number?

(BTW: If anyone is interested, I've got piles of these hinges, various brands incl. Blum + factory Blum books. Approx. a year ago I took an inventory w/ qty. count and if I can find the darn thing I can forward the info. Because of the weight, shipping is probably best by USPS flat rate in the larger cartons. PM welcome.

edit: For your Mepla and if it doesn't have a size stamped in (ie: 1/2 or 3/8" etc.), do a mock-up. I'm assuming you've got some sort of bore jig and template?? This might help too: http://www.barkerdoor.com/Overlay-cabinet-door-hinges-s/126.htm

look 171 · 03-20-2014, 02:27 PM

Randy,

Lets find out:

The correct overlay of those hinges
Size of the face frame (width)
Dimension you like between doors and drawers (1/8" gap)

Blum makes a Compact 33 hinge that have various over lay built into the hinge plates, but you must get the specific ones for your application. General rule of thumb for a full overlay door is exterior dimension minus 1/8", but that face is going throw that dimension off.

Get me a pic of the front of the cabinet.

rusnak · 03-20-2014, 02:34 PM

I'm not sure if the type of euro hinges that I used are the same, but mine had plenty of adjustment for door to cabinet gap, which ultimately limited the overlap of the door to hinge mounting plane. The radius was outside of the cabinet so the swinging action was within this adjustable gap.

There are so many types of hinges, you might be best off doing what was already advised, and mocking up a model with scrap pieces.

look 171 · 03-20-2014, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rusnak

I'm not sure if the type of euro hinges that I used are the same, but mine had plenty of adjustment for door to cabinet gap, which ultimately limited the overlap of the door to hinge mounting plane. The radius was outside of the cabinet so the swinging action was within this adjustable gap.

There are so many types of hinges, you might be best off doing what was already advised, and mocking up a model with scrap pieces.

All the quality over hinges are very similar in terms of adjustment. The trick is to dial it in so the gap between doors are exact. the only pace that sill screw you up is the distance of the cut to the edge of the door. Then there's the thick door hinge, for doors over 3/4". There are a few more funky ones for different applications.

Randy, depending on the base plate, you may not be able to mount it to the face frame. Get me some pic of the hinges and its plates.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

Thanks much!

The numbers on the hinge cabinet mounts are:
346.290
88 04

laid out in that fashion on the back. On the front it says '04' in a larger font. I hope those are part #'s not just some casting ID.

The actual hinged part says: 53 . M
- that is on the back of the cup.

It takes a 35 mm bore hole, and I do have a small plastic jig (layout type jig, not a drilling jig) in the bag. I bought these years ago and got bogged down in various other projects, work, etc.

Here are pics of the face frame (actually there are 2 face frames - the old white one and the maple face frame overlaid on top of that one.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

Here are the hinges:

That yellow plastic layout guide has 2 sets of small holes on it. The holes that are closest to the door edge lip are labelled "B" and the more distal holes are stamped "A"

The B holes line up with the screw holes in the hinge.

look 171 · 03-20-2014, 07:12 PM

Randy,

It looks like you have 3/8 overlay plate (4 mm). 0 mm is 3/4 overlay with the same hinge. If you want the doors to meet up in the middle with a 1/8" gap, those aren't the plates. How wide are the stiles or face frame on that cabinet? It looks like 1 1/2"? Single door for the sink? Measure the interior opening and add 3/4" to the door. So you want the door to meet up with the drawer fronts? If not, keep thing 3/8" overlay all the way around and you should be fine. Drawer fronts will follow and cut to exactly the same width as doors down below. I have not use Mepla product in over 20 years but they all work the same way with very similar set backs. Try and give it a go with a sample. The cup or the 35 mm hole should be about 3mm from the edge of the door. Those are the correct hinges plate for face frame installation.

look 171 · 03-20-2014, 07:16 PM

There's really no need for that plastic drilling guide. Clip the plate into the hinge and put it up to the edge of the face frame and butt it up against the little guide or stop and predrill pilot hole and screw away. Do the top hinge first so it will hold itself up (one screw only) then screw in the bottom, so there 's no fancy measuring. Make adjustment after everything is installed.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

No doors need to meet each other. Each door covers the entire open space shown. I just want to make sure the door is the right size for the hinges to work right as they pivot, and too look right in terms of distance from the drawer faces, other doors etc.

That stile where 2 doors will sit on is 4 cm (so yes 1.5" - 1.57").

look 171 · 03-20-2014, 07:59 PM

Got it. 3/8" overlay so add 3/4 to the interior opening you are golden.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

add 3/4" total to the opening size for both ht. and width, right?

Thanks again!

look 171 · 03-20-2014, 10:48 PM

yep

look 171 · 03-20-2014, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intakexhaust

I have an excel SS for figuring overlay doors or you might check the more simple online calcs. Whats the Mepla i.d. number?

(BTW: If anyone is interested, I've got piles of these hinges, various brands incl. Blum + factory Blum books. Approx. a year ago I took an inventory w/ qty. count and if I can find the darn thing I can forward the info. Because of the weight, shipping is probably best by USPS flat rate in the larger cartons. PM welcome.

edit: For your Mepla and if it doesn't have a size stamped in (ie: 1/2 or 3/8" etc.), do a mock-up. I'm assuming you've got some sort of bore jig and template?? This might help too: Overlay cabinet door hinges

whatcha doing wit all that stuff? You cleaning house?