# Carpenters - question about hidden hinges on old cabinets.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpenters-question-about-hidden-hinges-on-old-cabinets/767378>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [October 1, 2016, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpenters-question-about-hidden-hinges-on-old-cabinets/767378 "2016-10-01T16:19:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![A.James](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@A.James](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.James)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpenters-question-about-hidden-hinges-on-old-cabinets/767378/1 "2016-10-01T16:19:20Z")

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So I’m in the process of refinishing my old cabinets and want to switch to hidden hinges. The problem I’m finding is that my cabinets are made oddly. I’m having a tough time finding a hidden hinge that works with them.

[![](https://i.imgur.com/wJMvCds.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/wJMvCds.jpg)

And the actual door is notched on the top.

[![](https://i.imgur.com/removed.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/removed.png)

Is there any hidden hinge that would work for my application?

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpenters-question-about-hidden-hinges-on-old-cabinets/767378/2 "2016-10-01T18:20:22Z")

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Reported for forum change.

Probably more responses if in GQ.

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**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\
**Post date:** [October 1, 2016, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpenters-question-about-hidden-hinges-on-old-cabinets/767378/3 "2016-10-01T19:45:15Z")

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> [@A.James](#):
>
> So I’m in the process of refinishing my old cabinets and want to switch to hidden hinges. The problem I’m finding is that my cabinets are made oddly. I’m having a tough time finding a hidden hinge that works with them.
> 
> [Imgur: The magic of the Internet](http://i.imgur.com/wJMvCds.jpg)
> 
> And the actual door is notched on the top.
> 
> [http://i.imgur.com/0H9tHUC.jpg](http://i.imgur.com/0H9tHUC.jpg)
> 
> Is there any hidden hinge that would work for my application?
> 
> Thanks!

There isn’t anything too add about your cabinet frame except at the bottom. That means your cabinet door needs to be rabbited to match that little bump-out. Your 3/4" frames on the sides should take a standard “hidden hinge”. What problem are having, specifically? Also, are looking for an overlay style of door or an inset style of door? BTW, I can’t tell what I’m looking at in the 2nd picture.

> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#):
>
> Reported for forum change.
> 
> Probably more responses if in GQ.

This is the proper forum-- asking of advice, not really a factual answer.

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**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\
**Post date:** [October 2, 2016, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carpenters-question-about-hidden-hinges-on-old-cabinets/767378/4 "2016-10-02T07:49:38Z")

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Salice makes a hinge that may work for you at:

> **[Salice Snap-Close 110° 3/8'' Rabbeted Door Hinges, Face Frame](https://www.rockler.com/salice-snap-close-110-3-8-rabbeted-door-hinges-face-frame)**
>
> Enjoy easy self-closing action, convenient 3-way adjustments and tool-free removal with the popular 3/8'' lipped door style.

You may have to add some blocking inside the cabinet in order to bring the interior hinge clip out to the proper dimension to mate with the door hinge.