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Cabinet hardware drill jig?

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March 17, 2025, 06:16 AM
XinTX
Cabinet hardware drill jig?
The home we live in has never had drawer or cabinet pulls installed. Apparently that was a thing at the time it was built. As we're both getting older every day, it's a PTIA to not have that hand hold on the drawers and cabinets. We've picked out the hardware we like. Thinking about making this a DIY project as I'm closing in on retirement. But no way am I going to free hand drilling all those holes. I have seen a lot of drill jigs on Amazon like this.

Anyone use a jig for this and have any recommendations?


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March 17, 2025, 07:45 AM
400m
That will work just fine. Just make sure you clamp the jig so you don’t move it.
March 17, 2025, 08:08 AM
Redleg06
We had the same issue with our cabinets and just used a plastic template from Amazon that worked fine. It helped that we used single-pull hardware for everything. The biggest surprise was just how many pulls we needed. The one you're looking at looks to be a lot easier to line up accurately.


"Cedat Fortuna Peritis"
March 17, 2025, 08:20 AM
SPWAMike0317
I wish I knew about that a couple years ago. My Sister-in-Law bought a house with no cabinet or drawer pulls in the kitchen. She asked me to install handles and pulls. I used homemade templates, levels, guides and a great deal of patience to measure twice and drill once. The handles and pulls look good (I admire my work every time I visit).

I would have bought one of these jigs in a heartbeat.



Let me help you out. Which way did you come in?
March 17, 2025, 08:45 AM
Captain Morgan
If you have extra plywood and some scrap wood you can make your own.
If you buy the jig just test your settings on a scrap piece first and test fit the handle.



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March 17, 2025, 09:03 AM
MikeinNC
I used a plastic template from Lowe’s. Be sure to put/clamp a piece of sacrificial wood on the inside so the back or the drawer/cabinet door doesn’t blow out.

The builder wanted $4/a hole for the pulls I had already bought.



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March 17, 2025, 09:06 AM
Powers77
quote:
Originally posted by MikeinNC:
I used a plastic template from Lowe’s. Be sure to put/clamp a piece of sacrificial wood on the inside so the back or the drawer/cabinet door doesn’t blow out.

The builder wanted $4/a hole for the pulls I had already bought.


I've done the same as this. Don't overthink it, it is not that tough to do. Just take your time and do it carefully.
March 17, 2025, 09:52 AM
sig operator
I have used a similar Kreg brand jig from Lowes. Worked very well with the key being the backing scrap clamped inside the door or drawer as MikeinNC stated.
March 17, 2025, 10:20 AM
Tonydec
I have one made by Rockler. Made the job very easy using just the tool and a regular hand drill. 31 pulls, so 62 holes drilled.


Tony
March 17, 2025, 11:31 AM
1967Goat
I bought this one from Lowe's last year when we remodeled our kitchen. Worked fine.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kreg-...dware-Jig/1000465787
March 20, 2025, 06:23 PM
sig2392
I used these last week.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Li...6516C-CL-U/308682642

From Home Depot.

They were a little off for one set of draws and drilled a couple of holes in the plastic for a perfect fit.

I had about 50 knobs and pulls to install.
March 20, 2025, 09:40 PM
drill sgt
Retired cabinet maker here... Either use a store bought jig or possibly build one yourself... and for door pulls make sure that the same jig can do both right hand and left hand just by flipping it around without having to readjust measurements........ Also a fresh sharp drill bit and a backup surface to prevent drill bit blowout. ................................. drill sgt.
March 21, 2025, 08:47 AM
whododat
I literally just finished this same thing yesterday. Went from the single knobs to pulls and handles. Looks much better. I ordered the King and Charles plastic template and it worked perfect. I can send it to you to use. Just send it back when done. That way you can save some money. This is it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5..._fed_asin_title&th=1

I had the same fears as you but it turned out just fine. Just take your time.
Cabinet handles by Jorge Jimenez, on Flickr


Because son, it is what you are supposed to do.
March 21, 2025, 03:13 PM
calugo
I used this cheap template I bought from Lowes to install the handles on my cabinet doors and drawers. It worked great and took about an hour or so from start to finish. Not hard just take your time.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/RELIA...-Template/5014522841