[ezassembly]

If you have a large kitchen or a row cabinets that are running directly next to one another it is very important that your cabinet handles,knobs, or drawer pulls are even throughout the entire run or it will be the first thing someone notices, including yourself, and will drive you simply mad if you are a perfectionist. Most big home improvement companies sell templates you can purchase that are specifically made for installing these handles and pulls. However, I have went through a great many before I found one that exactly lined up with the Ikea handles so it is better to bring a handle along with you to see if the holes line up. If not, all is not lost, what I use most of the time is a hand made template which is simple to make and ensures accuracy.

First take a piece of cardboard and cut it about 2" in width and then cut the length to the determined top height of the hinge placement plus an inch or so. This will allow you to place the bottom of the template at the bottom of the door or drawer where it is flush and even with every other door. Then take a handle and either insert a piece of lead from a broken pencil or a small tack nail in each screw hole and press it against the template in your desired spot. This will only leave a punch mark which will allow you to use a nail or screw to complete the hole. Now all you have to do is place your template at the bottom of the door or drawer in the inside corners for doors and the middle for drawers which is easy to mark. I suggest you place a piece of either masking tape or painters tape on the inside of the door where the screw will come out, this will stop the laminate or wood form splintering or chipping. NEVER use just a screw to run through the door because you will undoubtedly crack and splinter the inside of the door. Use the recommended drill bit and go through slowly and hold the drill straight for an even hole.. Then remove your tape and place the handle on the door tightening the top screw first. Once you get to the bottom and the hole is off just a bit because maybe your arm got tired and lowered the drill a bit or the template slipped a notch, just reinsert the bit and slowly make a circular motion in the hole with the drill running for a second or two. You only want to male enough room for the screw to fit snug and correctly in the door without making a hole larger than what the handle will cover. The more doors and drawers you do the easier all this will become. When I started my assembly & installation business this was by far the most dreaded task I had to do because if I screwed up I was buying a new door so I took my time and then came up with the cardboard template idea, and so far so good. Please note: that if you have a lot of cabinets that will require handles and some time before they arrive you can buy templates online that will save you the trouble of my cardboard idea and running from hardware store to hardware store looking for templates.

Christopher Purnell