How to Make a Jig to Install a Cabinet Pull
Woodworking presents specific repetitive tasks, that must be precisely identical. Sometimes, simply measuring and marking is not enough to ensure accuracy. If you are installing drawer pulls in cabinets, you want each one to be level and correctly placed. Make a jig from scrap wood, and you can verify and test your measurements once, and then let the jig help you get accurately placed drawer pulls in every drawer front.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Scrap wood, at least 12 inches by 7 inches
- Small brads
- Saw
- Drill
- Drawer pull
- Carpenter square
- Pencil
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Cut the Wood
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1
Cut a 1 inch strip of wood from the scrap for a fence. It needs to be at least 12 inches long. The jig is used as a pattern, so 1/4 inch plywood is fine.
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2
Cut the remaining scrap wood into a rectangle measuring 12 inches by 5 1/2 inches.
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3
Match the 12 inch edges of the two pieces so they are evenly aligned, placing the fence piece on top.
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4
Clamp, and nail the fence onto the rectangle with small brads. The fence is now attached to the back of the jig, and you will butt this edge against the top of each drawer front to use it.
Mark the Jig
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1
Mark a centered vertical line on the front of the jig.
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2
Measure the vertical placement on a drawer front. (how far down from the top edge of the drawer front). Mark a corresponding measurement on the jig. The corresponding measurement must allow for the fence on the back of the jig, so add 1 inch to the measurement. If you need your drawer pull to be 2 1/2 inches from the top edge of the drawer front, then mark it at 3 1/2 inches from the top edge of the jig.
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3
Draw a horizontal line on the front of the jig to indicate this placement for the drawer pull.
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4
Measure the distance between the screw points on the drawer pull hardware. Mark a point one half of that distance along the horizontal line on each side of the centered vertical line. Hold the drawer pull against the jig to check your marks.
Finish and Use the Jig
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1
Drill a hole exactly at the two screw points marked on the jig. Use a bit the correct size for the drawer pull.
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2
Attach the drawer pull to the jig to test accuracy. Remove the pull.
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3
Mark a centered dot on each lower drawer front edge. To use the jig, lay it flat on top of the drawer front. Butt the top edge of the drawer front up against the fence on the back of the jig. Slide the jig sideways until the centered dot on the lower drawer front edge aligns with the vertical line on the jig. Clamp the jig in place.
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4
Using the jig holes as guides, drill holes through the drawer front. Repeat for each drawer.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Adjust the size of your jig to meet your specific needs. For example, if your drawer fronts are deep or have a chamfered edge, use a 1 X 1 for your fence. Remember to allow for the fence on the back of the jig when you mark your placement holes. If your jig holes are off, scrap it and make another jig. If the jig isn't accurate, you won't have accuracy on your drawers, either.
