How many screws do you normally use to fasten adjacent kitchen cabinets together at the face frame, and how do you space them. I had thought that I could hide the screws under the hinges, but not enough room under there. How is the easiest way to hide the screws once they are installed? The face frames are 1 5/8″ width, so I am assuming that I can use 8 x 3″ deck screws (unless the consensus here is to counter sink the heads, then I would need to go with 2 1/2″).
Thanks
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Replies
I use 3, two and a half inch, GRK torx drive trimhead screws.
I do countersink the screws (and use a Unibit to make the trimhead countersink). The trimheads are small enough that a small dab of putty hides the heads.
I use trimhead screws, too. Typically three #9, 2 1/2" , one top, one bottom and one in the middle. I use Jorgensen cabinet claw clamps and drill through their bushing with a tapered bit. The GRK screws are self tapping but I still pre-drill and use screw wax. You have to watch where you put the screws and make sure they go in straight! Cabinets are constructed in different ways. Some may have tender areas the way the faceframes are attached. There can be slot mortises where a stile meets the rails and you can split the frame if you are too close. You also have to watch out for pocket screws if you are attaching crown or other moldings to the faceframes. For attaching to the wall, I use 3" trusshead cabinet mounting screws. Many manufacturers supply them with the cabinets.
If you have the need to hide the mounting screws, there are colored screw caps that snap into the Philips heads. If you can hide the trimheads under the hinges, you can use color putty on the middle one, or all. If blocking was not installed and you have to hit the studs, take your time and double check. I use a stud finder but I still feel with a finish nail. It can be easy to miss the center of an 1 1/2" stud, I hate it when that happens.
http://www.grkfasteners.com/en/TRIM_0_information.htm
http://www.screwcovers.com/
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
I'll second the use of the "cabinet claw".
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I typically use three screws at each joint. One high, one low from one direction and the third from the opposite side at about the center. Of course this depends on cabinet sizes. Tall uppers can require four or more.
Do not use deck screws. Use a quality wood screw and countersink the head. A quality screw does not need to be hidden.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements