The Easiest Way to Drill Perfect Cabinet Hinges?
If you’re building your own garage cabinets or updating old ones, installing concealed hinges can be frustrating. Even a small mistake can throw off alignment. That’s where the Kreg Concealed Hinge Jig (KHI-Hinge) comes in.
This tool helps beginners drill accurate 35mm cup holes for European hinges—without a drill press. It’s built for people who want clean, professional results without spending hours measuring and double-checking. Here’s what you need to know.
Quick Outline
Why Use the Kreg KHI-Hinge Jig?
If you’ve ever installed cabinet doors, you know how easy it is to mess up a hinge. Misaligned holes. Crooked doors. Screws that pull loose.
The Kreg concealed hinge jig fixes all of that. It gives you clean, centered holes at the exact depth. You don’t need special skills or pro equipment. Just a drill, a clamp, and this jig.
It’s ideal for building or upgrading garage cabinets. Combine it with a few other smart tools—like the Kreg Rip-Cut Circular Saw Guide or a folding worktable—and you can get clean results even in a small workspace.
What Makes It So Accurate?
- Indexing cams let you line up the hinge exactly where you want it.
- Measuring scales help you center the hole.
- Carbide-tipped bit cuts a clean 35mm hole.
- Stop collar makes sure you don’t drill too deep.
That’s everything you need for a solid, repeatable setup.
It also includes guide holes for the hinge screws. Once the cup hole is drilled, you can drill your pilot holes without moving anything.
Good for Beginners? Yes.
The Kreg KHI-Hinge Jig is built for beginners and intermediate DIYers. It takes the guesswork out of hinge installation. That’s a big deal if you’re:
- Building your first garage cabinet set
- Trying to upgrade old cabinets with hidden hinges
- Wanting your doors to close flush and smooth
If you’ve used other tools from Kreg—like the Pocket Hole Jig 520PRO—you’ll recognize the same kind of design thinking: simple, sturdy, and accurate.
What’s in the Box
- Jig body with built-in indexing guides
- Carbide-tipped 35mm drill bit
- Depth stop collar
- Setup instructions
Just note: you’ll need your own 1/16″ bit for the pilot holes. It’s not included.
Specs at a Glance
- Model: KHI-Hinge
- Material: Plastic and steel
- Bit: Carbide-tipped 35mm cup bit
- Dimensions: 8.94″ x 9.84″ x 2.99″
- Weight: 1.23 pounds
What It’s Used For
The Kreg concealed hinge jig is made for installing concealed (European-style) cabinet hinges. It’s especially useful for:
- Garage cabinets
- Kitchen cabinet upgrades
- Workshop storage doors
If you’re following one of our garage cabinet plans, this tool makes sure your doors line up and swing correctly.
What We Like
- Fast setup and use
- Clean, repeatable hinge holes
- Works with almost any concealed hinge
- Doesn’t require a drill press
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t include 1/16″ pilot drill bit – a minor inconvenience
- Plastic body isn’t as rugged as all-metal jigs, but it holds up well
Tips for Best Results
- Clamp the jig down before drilling.
- Use a scrap board to practice.
- Mark your hinge positions before drilling.
- Don’t skip the stop collar—it prevents blow-through.
Want to see how this compares with other helpful tools? Check out our review of the Milescraft CabinetMate for shelf pins or our roundup of cabinet hardware jigs.
Is It Worth It?
Yes. If you’re installing concealed hinges and don’t want to mess it up, get the Kreg concealed hinge jig. It makes the job easier, faster, and way more accurate.
For a beginner-friendly upgrade to your garage cabinets, this tool is hard to beat.
Get more details and pricing here.
Related Resources
- How to Install European Hinges
- Cutting Plywood with a Circular Saw
- Should I Use Plywood or MDF?
- Pocket Hole Joinery Tips
For more DIY cabinet tools and plans, browse all our garage cabinet plans here.