The unhinged Handyman

Looks like a Blum Cruciform Mounting Plate with a 107 Degree Hinge.

If your kitchen cupboards are less than 30 years old they probably have ‘European Hinges’ that are mostly made in Germany but increasingly in Asia. Better words might be hidden or invisible hinges. European hinges come in a bewildering number of brands and configurations (or maybe I’m easily bewildered).

The main advantage is that the hinge is invisible when the cupboard is shut. Another advantage is that most European hinges can do more that hold the door on. Many help the door snap shut. Some snap shut but don’t slam. Some allow for very wide opening. Some are specially made for corner cupboards allowing greater access to space in the corner.

BUT … all this cleverness and flexibility comes at a price. The price is that European hinges become loose and sloppy over time, fall off or just break.

As a Handyman I see this all the time. This week I’m doing two hinge jobs.

Most people put up with dodgy hinges for far too long. It’s a job that I can help with. You do the repair like this:

- Remove troublesome/broken hinge.

- Identify the brand.

- Take to the correct supplier (not always Bunnings).

- Match and buy replacement.

- Return to your home and install.

- Adjust for correct fit.

If this sound like a pain in the neck call me and I’ll happily fix your hinges for you.

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