Home Articles Using the Rockler Custom Door and Drawer Front Program

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Part II - Installing Your Doors and Drawer Fronts

In part three, we'll go over the process of installing your new doors and drawer fronts. If you are replacing your hinges at the same time, be sure to read Understanding Hinges for advice and tips on picking out the right hinges.  If you are replacing your hinges with European style hinges, we strongly recommend the Multi Tool Rail JIG IT. The JIG IT is the preferred tool for boring concealed hinge cup holes among hobbyists and professionals alike. 

Figure 19	Figure 20	Figure 21
Figure 22	Figure 23	Figure 24

Step 1 - Install hinges & hang doors.

• Place hinges about 2” from top and bottom of doors (Figure 19). Then secure the hinges on door to the frame. If re-using old hinges, remount the hinges so screws make new holes.
• When using 35mm cup hinges, (Figure 20), screw into face of cabinet frame and center the door over the opening, allowing an equal margin of overlap on all sides. On openings with two doors, leave a gap of about 1/8” between doors.

Step 2 - Installing new drawer fronts.

• When replacing the drawer fronts, you must first determine whether your drawer boxes are three-sided or four-sided.
• If the drawer front makes the forward wall of the drawer box, then you have a three-sided drawer box (Figure 21).
• If the drawer front is mounted to a separate piece that makes up the forward wall of the drawer box, you have a four-sided drawer box (Figure 23).
• Remove drawer slides from the old drawer box.

Three-Sided Drawer Box (Figure 21):

• Using a saw, trim the drawer front so that no edges extend beyond the top, bottom or sides of the drawer box (Figure 22). This allows the old drawer front to fit inside the drawer opening.
• Hide rough edges by turning the box around. The old drawer front should now be in the back of the drawer box.
• Replace drawer slides, making sure they are flush with the front edge of the box.
• Center the new drawer front on the box and temporarily secure with screws (Figure 24).
• Slide the drawer box into the opening to check alignment. Adjust as necessary, then tighten the screws.

Four-Sided Drawer Box (Figure 23):

• Remove the old drawer front, being careful not to damage the drawer box.
• The new drawer front, using the Drawer Front Adjuster.
• Center the new drawer front on the box and temporarily secure with screws (Figure 24).
• Slide the drawer box into the opening to check the alignment. Adjust as necessary, then tighten the screws.