How to Install Kitchen Cabinet Knobs

When Ron and Lynn worked on their new kitchen, instead of replacing the cabinets, they decided to repaint them and replace the hardware. After the paint job was done, it was time to install the new knobs.

Before attaching the knobs, Ron took Lynn into the workshop to create something called a boring jig, which is a homemade device designed to position every knob in exactly the desired place, without measuring.

1. Determine knob position
Use a piece of reusable adhesive, which is like sticky clay, to attach a single knob to the kitchen cabinets. With this, you can determine where you would like to attach the knobs, and then stand back and see how it looks.

2. Build jig
Once you have determined where you would like the knobs, you can begin to create the jig by cutting two matching plywood rectangles with a table saw.

Next, nail a strip of wood the same thickness as the cabinet doors onto the edge of the wood, using a pneumatic nail gun. Nail another strip along the adjacent edge forming a right angle.

Attach the other rectangle to create a template that slips over the bottom corner of the cabinet door.

Finally, using a drill press, drill a hole straight through the jig in exactly the spot that corresponds to where you want the knob in your cabinet door. The hole should go all the way through both pieces of plywood so that the jig can be used from either side.

3. Drill knob holes
Slip the jig over the lower corner of the cabinet door and push it up making sure that it is in contact on the side and the bottom. Secure the jig in place using an adjustable clamp. The template not only provides the correct position for the drill, but because of the thickness, it keeps the drill from going into the cabinet at an angle. This should minimize the tear out and help create a clean hole.

With the help of the jig, Ron was able to install knobs in his entire kitchen in less than 45 minutes.