How to Make a Jig for Cabinet Hardware

Updating and repairing kitchen cabinets often starts with replacing hardware. Simple replacement of most pulls and knobs requires nothing more than a screwdriver and a few spare moments. But with new or resurfaced cabinets the challenge may seem daunting. In this article you will find information on how to properly measure, mark and drill cabinet drawers for pulls and knobs using a shop-built jig made from scrap lumber, nails and wood glue. Use this design time and time again for the perfect placement of hardware on cabinet drawers.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Scrap plywood
• Jigsaw or handsaw
• Carpenter's square
• Hammer
• Nails
• Glue
• Drill and 1/8-inch bit
• C-clamp

How to Measure for Drawer Jig

1. Remove drawers from the cabinet before measuring for hardware. Most will pull straight out with little or no effort. Some must be tipped back to come away from the guide. Place the drawer standing on the back end with the drawer face up. Measure the width of the drawer face, and put a light pencil mark on the top edge directly center. Make a note of this measurement.

2. Measure to the center of the drawer face's height. Make a note of this measurement. Most drawer handles are situated on this center line. We will be transferring this measurement to the jig.

3. Cut a rectangle of plywood the size of the drawer face. This is the base of your jig. Mark a line at the height of the drawer's centerline all the way across the jig with carpenter's square. Mark the center of the jig's width and draw a line forming a "+" with your first line. If you are mounting knobs-only one screw- this center mark will mark your pilot hole. For pulls with two screws, measure the distance between the screw holes from center to center. Mark half of this distance on each side of the jig from the "+" on the center line.

Creating and Using the Jig

4. Cut a second strip of plywood the same length as the long edge of your rectangle and 2-inches wide. Cut this strip in two equal pieces each 1/16-inch less than half the width of your plywood. This will be your top hedge or hanger cleat. Place the first piece along the top edge of your jig, standing on its narrow edge, starting at the corner. Glue and nail in place. Attach the second, starting at the opposite corner. There should be a slight gap in the center. This lines up with pencil mark on top edge of drawer face in step one.

5. Using a bit the size of your pull screws--usually 1/8-inch--drill your marked holes, being sure the drill stays perpendicular to the jig face. These are your pilot holes.

6. Place the jig on the drawer face with the hanger cleat on the top of the drawer, hanging toward the inside. Match up the gap in the hanger cleat with the mark on the drawer to match center. Mark through the pilot holes onto the drawer face with a pencil and remove the jig to check for accuracy. Replace jig, clamp in place with C-clamp and drill holes using the 1/8-inch bit, making sure to go completely through. Different size drawer? Simply mark another set of holes in line with the center line of new drawer, above or below existing holes.

Tips & Warnings

• Cover unused pilot holes with tape to avoid confusion
• Don't force drill to avoid risk of splintering

References

• Jig-making Book