35mm hinge cutter advice

bettz1

bettz1

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Hi we've got a new door for our washing machine but now need to drill a new hinge hole.

Bit nervous as don't want to go through the door. I've seen on a few posts Screwfix do a hinge cutter https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-tct-hinge-cutter-35mm/4977v but I'm worried as it had no stopper.

I've also seen these and wondered if there any good? As it has a depth stop.

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07K6MGPVH/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_D2E461MS27YSBER8ADH4

I haven't got a pillar drill.

Which would people recommend?
 
I used forstner bits from Screwfix (cheapo) and just used a cordless drill.

Drill a very shallow pilot hole first, it will stop the bit wobbling about.

Practise on a guff bit of wood.
(y)
 
It is possible to get 35mm Forstner bits with a built-in depth stop (loads of them out there):

35mm Hinge Bit with Built-In Depth Stop.jpg
 
By rings, do you mean the depth stop? I use a set of different size ones to drill out for lock keeps - the thing with any depth stop is not to depend on it absolutely and just keep pushing - also always make a test drilling in a piece of scrap. The depth stop should be regarded as merely a visual indicator. So, just what are the reviews complaining about? There's a lot of people out there blaming the tool rather than their poor technique I find

If I'm doing the job at home I have a drill press set-up with a drilling table, fence and stops and the drill press has an adjustable depth stop on it. Out on site I don't have the luxury of a drill press, so I either use a cheap bit with a stop, or occasionally a plunge router with a special 35mm hinge routing bit (this is NOT a drill bit in a router). What I don't do is try drilling without some form of depth stop as that's a sure fire way to go through a door!
 
I just use with a cordless drill, it cuts slowly so difficult to go right thru.Just stop when shoulder of bit is flush with surface.Check hinge sits in without wobble.
 
OP - if you are really worried about it there are more complex jigs which offer better control:

Hinge Jig JL35-A1.png


but they do cost more. A lot more (£23 to £30 on Amazon for this type of jig - I have one somewhere, bought for a couple of kitchen reskins where I needed to drill 20+ doors at a time, and they do work, despite the relatively low quality bit)

You could always go the "professional" way and buy a CMT333:

CMT333 Professional Hinge Borer.png


which drills all three holes at once, but that wouldn't give you much change out of £300. Nice bit of kit, though only ever seen one in a workshop
 
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