LR 32 holes for shelf pins and hinge screws?

ReneS

Member
Joined
May 22, 2024
Messages
47
Location
Central New York State
I've been looking around, but I haven't found anything so far about using 5mm holes for both shelf pins and hinge bracket screws. This relates to the LR 32 system and plunging the shelf pin holes and hinge bracket holes at the same time with the same bit.

The euro hinges I have been using for the past year don't use screws that would work in a 5mm hole.

Can anyone enlighten me?

Thanks.
 
There are euroscrew (system screw in the Blum catalogue) hinges, but there are also dowel hinges that use the small screw but the plastic insert fits the euroscrew hole.

 
Last edited:
I've been looking around, but I haven't found anything so far about using 5mm holes for both shelf pins and hinge bracket screws. This relates to the LR 32 system and plunging the shelf pin holes and hinge bracket holes at the same time with the same bit.

The euro hinges I have been using for the past year don't use screws that would work in a 5mm hole.

Can anyone enlighten me?

Thanks.
I use the Blum Expando hinges that use a 5mm plastic insert, similar to an expanding wall anchor. These fit perfectly in the LR32 5mm holes.

Screenshot 2025-05-09 at 00.52.39.png


If you have plates that come with smaller screws, you can use a pair of the Blum 5mm inserts.

Screenshot 2025-05-09 at 00.54.25.png

Edit: @woodferret beat me to it. :)
 
Thanks, Woodferret. That was very helpful and gave me some new leads, including one that led to a post here at FOG where this is discussed a bit.

Edit: And thanks, MikeGE.
 
Phew. I am a bit embarrassed that I missed the many threads on this topic that have been posted over the years.

But I am even more embarrassed by being totally confused by the numerous options.

Not only regarding the screws, dowels, etc. but the way euro hinges are sold. Some are sold with all needed parts, and others come with just some of the parts.

I guess I have some serious studying to do.

BTW, I find it a bit funny when someone suggests getting a drilling jig to a person who invested in the LR 32 system. The whole point is to get away from jigs and drills, not to mention that an owner of the LR 32 system is going to want to make it work for hinges as well as shelf pin holes.
 
We need hinge drilling machines for the doors, the plate holes are drill on the CNC. Our average job uses at least a box of hinges (250).

The 5mm hinge pin bit works great for system screws (Euro screws).

Do not buy the hinges and plates as a “set”, buy the individuals pieces you need.

These hinge plates use the wood screws or system screws.

IMG_0915.png
Tom
 
Last edited:
I had to go look at your other post.

Looking at the build you need;

173H9100 plates, they’re not my favorite plate due to how the height adjusts. You can try the 173H9100.04 plate, I prefer the adjustment on this plate but you may not get the overlay you’re looking for.

The hinge you need is a 110+, they have the option of using wood screws or 3 other attachment method, they require an 8 mm hole. Pick the hinge number by the mounting method you will be using. The boring distance (B) is 6mm.

IMG_0917.png

Tom
 
I have not seen a change in Blums numbers in over 25+ years.

The numbers you posted are from a suppliers website, Blum does not put letters in front of there numbers. Looking at the numbers, you looked at the Cabinet Parts website (I now see you included a link), they are the retail division of one of my suppliers.

71M2550 is a 100 degree swing hinge that is self closing, they use wood screws not system screws (5mm). You cannot get a 19mm overlay with this hinge.

The page I posted shows 110+ soft close hinges. These hinges will go to 19mm overlay with a zero mm plate, open to 110 degrees, again they are also self close. You do need to choose the attachment system.

I prefer the 173H9100 plate over the one you listed, the vertical adjustment in much better.

Tom
 
As a plus for using the 5mm holes, you never have to worry about stripped holes and screws that do not hold. The nylon (natural color) or the vinyl (feels like rubber) can easily be replaced and the pieces are very cheap.

Not withstanding all the people who use a hammer to drive in these hinges (or the inserts) the Blum tool works better and faster and never marks the surface.

I have the Kreg cup hole jig but never use it. I have a Blum version (expensive) but again worth the extra cost. The clamp action is very secure and easy to use.

I have the CMT drilling template, which last I checked was not available from domestic (USA) vendors. It allows you to drill an entire cabinet of holes with a single setup. I’m not home now, but it is probably about 30” long. I can measure it when I get home.

I think I got it from Amazon.DE (Germany) using my USA account. Shipping cost was modest and it arrived quickly. The German site allows you to toggle between German or English globally for the entire site. I ordered it from Germany, but as I recall it shipped from Amazon.ES (Spain).
 
Thanks, Packard.

I have been using a homemade template and a drilling block to drill shelf pin holes, and honestly I am tired of the labor and the vacuuming.

I just ordered the LR 32 system and am looking forward to a simplified and faster process.
 
Not only regarding the screws, dowels, etc. but the way euro hinges are sold. Some are sold with all needed parts, and others come with just some of the parts.
There is a point to the Plates-Hinges being sold separately. The shop where I work does essentially the same thing Tom (tjbnwi) does. They buy the parts in case lot quantities. The plates are somewhat universal, the 0 protrusion ones anyway, are the base of the system. Several different hinges fit them ( 1/2 overlay, full overlay, 45 degree corner, even inside "pie cut" corners) The degree of opening is even variable on some styles, so the simple thing is to buy the plates in large quantity. Then buy your hinges in the proportionate quantity. The different brands offer them slightly different in terms of opening. The much smaller, limited opening type are usually either 105 degrees or 110 degrees. These are used in situations where an adjacent obstruction, like a wall, would keep the door from opening wider anyway. (Though a lot of people us them everywhere) The ones that open wider are usually 165 or 170 degrees, but those are significantly larger, especially inside, when the door is closed. They are preferred however, when there are pullouts or drawers behind the doors, since they move the entire door out of the way. 105/110 degree hinges block the opening with part of the door.
When I first started, over 20 years ago, we used Salice, almost exclusively. Most architects didn't specify (or care) the actual brand. That has changed some, over the years. Sometimes it's an availability issue, with some of the special ones too. We stock mostly Blum and Grass now, all of them with the 8mm plastic inserts. These are much faster to install, when using pro-equipment.
The mounting plates are available with no screws, which seem to be preferred but people who are hand drilling them, with some kind of jig. They also come with the 5mm system screws installed. These are more often used by pros too, since they are generally the ones drilling with a CNC. (or at bare minimum a multi-spindle line boring machine)

The LR32 system is somewhat of a bridge between the jig/drill method and expensive, dedicated, professional shop equipment.
I was just discussing this, the other day, with my apprentice. Having a TS55, LR32 rail, LR32 plate, OF1010, and a DF500, essentially is a cabinet shop. Sure, there are additional things, which would speed things up, but the basics are there.
 
Thanks, Crg.

I did some more research last night and now understand the different plate heights (0mm, etc.).

I am still a little confused by the plastic dowels (inserts), I thought they would be 5mm, but some are 6.3mm. I'm not sure whether the 6.3 is the OD of the threads, but I figure it will become clear once I get the LR 32 and start using it.

Funny thing, the list you gave to your apprentice is pretty much what I will have once the LR 32 gear and the OF 1400 arrive next week. I am looking forward to the process improvements.

Edit: Oops. I meant a euro screw that's 6.3mm, not a dowel.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top