How to Drill Holes in Cabinets for Wires

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Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape

  • Pencil

  • Drill bits

  • Electric drill

Cabinets can hold a wide variety of entertainment equipment. Sometimes you need to drill holes in your cabinet to accommodate the wires for televisions, stereos and other electronic gear. Drilling holes in your cabinets for wires is a job that you can do yourself without the aid of a professional cabinet maker or carpenter. You need only a few basic tools to complete the task.

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Step 1

Decide where you need to drill a hole for your wires. Use the measuring tape, if necessary, to locate the proper spot for the hole.

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Step 2

Place a mark on the cabinet with a pencil to indicate the center point of the hole in the cabinet. Mark the location of any additional holes.

Step 3

Open the drill chuck on an electric drill. Place the appropriate size drill bit into the drill chuck. Tighten the drill chuck. Follow the manufacturer's instructions concerning drill bit installation.

Step 4

Place the tip of the drill bit on the pencil mark on the cabinet. Depress the trigger on the drill. Hold the drill straight and apply gentle pressure on the drill as the drill bit penetrates the cabinet wall. Do not force the drill. Repeat these procedures for any additional wire holes.

Tip

Drill bits are manufactured in a variety of styles. Use a standard twist drill bit for holes up to 1/2 inch in diameter. For larger holes, use a screw-point bit or a hole saw.

Warning

Leave at least an inch of wood between the holes to maintain the structural integrity of the cabinet wall.

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