Replies

1. 
   DanH | Oct 16, 2010 01:46pm | #1

   I used a jig from Rockler many years back.  It was pretty good, though it took a bit of adjustment to get right (always make up a dummy first!).  I believe they've improved signifcantly since then, and Rockler, last I looked, had a better selection of jigs than Lee Valley.

2. 
   Dreamcatcher | Oct 18, 2010 09:00am | #2

   Blum boring jig

   Back when I used to work in a cabinetmaking shop, we had a Blum brand boring jig that chucked into the drill press and bored the cup hole while simultaneously predrilling the mounting screw holes. The jig consisted of an  auxiliary table, fence with swinging stops on both sides, a multibit gear head set exactly for Blum hinges, and vertical spring rails that the head rode on. It even had a swinging hinge inserter but we never used that.

   Unfortunately Blum must have not been very interested in producing quality jigs and doesn't offer the same jig anymore. But if you look at the design of a Blum Mini-Press, it is essentially the same thing with a motor. BTW, a used Mini-Press can usually be found on Craigslist or Ebay for around $700 if you had the time and money to shop around.

   Fortunately, there are a couple companies that have started making a jig similar to the Blum. Most notably, CMT and their CMT333-03 Universal Hinge Boring System; about $320 online. While it is not quite as nice as the Blum jig I used, it appears very close and by adding a larger plywood base, longer fence, and a couple of swinging stops would be an easy upgrade.

    http://www.cmtutensili.com/show_items.asp?pars=PJJ~CMT333~2

   DC

3. 
   [email protected] | Oct 18, 2010 12:05pm | #3

   I have the Lee Valley jig and their system 32 hole drilling jigs.  Both work fine.  Not sure I would do production work with them but for short runs, they are fine.