small area help

[Halfathumb]

I'm installing soft close hinges on kitchen cabinets & going pretty easily. But I didn't think far enough ahead on one cabinet, I only have 6" inside the face frame. I'm having trouble drilling the piolet holes in the HM face frames for the hinges. I would appreciate suggestions on how others do this in tight areas.

[Admiral]

I'm installing soft close hinges on kitchen cabinets & going pretty easily. But I didn't think far enough ahead on one cabinet, I only have 6" inside the face frame. I'm having trouble drilling the piolet holes in the HM face frames for the hinges. I would appreciate suggestions on how others do this in tight areas.

BTDT.  Two options.  First is a right angle drill attachment for your cordless drill, there are plenty out there.  The other is a HF right angle drill, corded, which is what I bought.  Worked well, not for heavy use but when you need it its the bee's knees, glad I got one. "Brand" names cost big dollars.  $30 on sale now, if you find a coupon could be less:

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-Vari...60610.html

[Cooler]

Use dowels or biscuits.  Biscuits are easier because alignment is not as much of an issue.  

For dowels, use dowel centers to assure alignment.  And use a drill stop to make sure you don't drill through the face frame.

Dowel centers are available everywhere.  Woodcraft sells them in lots of 10, a very handy number as it allows you to mark all the holes in one shot:


Drill stops are available readily online, but not so much in Lowes or Home Depot.  Woodcraft is a good source for these (and the centers)  

[Halfathumb]

BTDT.  Two options.  First is a right angle drill attachment for your cordless drill, there are plenty out there.  The other is a HF right angle drill, corded, which is what I bought.  Worked well, not for heavy use but when you need it its the bee's knees, glad I got one. "Brand" names cost big dollars.  $30 on sale now, if you find a coupon could be less:

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-Vari...60610.html

I have a right angle attachment, but still to big w/drill bit.

[Cooler]

Get a small length of 1" diameter dowel--maybe two inches long.  

Drill a hole lengthwise the same as the diameter of the drill bit you want to use.  Insert the bit into the hole so just enough of the cutting end protrudes.  Cross drill for a wood screw to keep the drill bit from twisting in the dowel.

Use a nail to mark the center of the hole, and finger twist the bit until the hole is to the required depth.  This will be slow going, but the pilot holes are small diameter and short, and you only have two holes to drill. 

I made a similar one for a 5mm bit to clean out shelf pin holes drilled and then slightly filled with finish.  Slow going but easy work.

I  have a General pin vise, but that is going to be too big for this too.  So make your own.

[jteneyck]

I'm installing soft close hinges on kitchen cabinets & going pretty easily. But I didn't think far enough ahead on one cabinet, I only have 6" inside the face frame. I'm having trouble drilling the piolet holes in the HM face frames for the hinges. I would appreciate suggestions on how others do this in tight areas.

Time to buy a right angle drill.  Every job should justify at least one new tool, and you'll be amazed at how many times a right angle drill solves just such a problem.   I have an 18V cordless Milwaukee that has rescued me several times after not planning far enough ahead.  

John

[Rob Young]

I'm installing soft close hinges on kitchen cabinets & going pretty easily. But I didn't think far enough ahead on one cabinet, I only have 6" inside the face frame. I'm having trouble drilling the piolet holes in the HM face frames for the hinges. I would appreciate suggestions on how others do this in tight areas.

Bird cage awl and just reach in and give it a twist to make the pilot hole.

http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.as...2951,72826

However, this particular one may be too large diameter.  You can make one or cut down a regular awl and then grind in the flats so it "cuts".

[Cooler]

Time to buy a right angle drill.  Every job should justify at least one new tool, and you'll be amazed at how many times a right angle drill solves just such a problem.   I have an 18V cordless Milwaukee that has rescued me several times after not planning far enough ahead.  

John

Unless he breaks the drill bit before inserting in the drill he is still going to be very tight with a right angle drill.

A dentist's drill would work perfectly.  There are cheap ones for sale for $90.00 but it is not clear to me if it uses just compressed air or something else.

They spin at 400,000 rpm so  special bits are required.

https://www.net32.com/ec/midwest-type-hi...n-d-105700

[Lynden]

I have both a right angle drill and a DeWalt right angle attachment. The DeWalt with a stubby bit works well in tight spaces. Use a hex shank extension for the rear holes.

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWARA100-R...attachment

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Tools-Miles...drill+bits

https://www.amazon.com/12-Magnetic-Exten...+extension

[Admiral]

I have a right angle attachment, but still to big w/drill bit.

Sacrifice a bit and cut it down perhaps?