Premium Aluminum Cabinet Hardware Jig Tool - Perfect for Installing Handles & Knobs on Doors and Drawer Fronts | DIY Drawer Guide Jig Kit (Red) | Ideal for Home Improvement and Cabinet Installation Projects

This is a really great tool if you think like a novice. This is the very first time I’ve done this and it went perfectly. I put the steps below, along with four separate images, on how I did this. I mean no disrespect to the pros out there, but I simply ignored the measurements on the tool. As a matter of fact, if they didn’t put any markings on this tool, it would still work great for what I was doing. The important part is the set-up, which took me about ten minutes. After that, it took me about twenty minutes to install seventeen handles. That’s about one every minute. Really – you’ll be amazed.Step 1: The SET-UP - Using just your hand, position your hardware where you want it and mark off the bottom on three sides with painter’s tape (see the image). I had pulled three pieces of tape off the roll and stuck them to my forearm before I got started.Step 2: Find the center between the pieces of tape on each side and mark that spot. I used a cross marking (see image). DON’T think too much into it. Don’t worry about exactly where the screw hole is. Just make a mark and move on.Step 3: Align the bottom guide hole with the marking you just made and snug up the retaining screw. Here’s what you need to know; the guide that comes with the additional piece, the flat piece that has the extra screw that holds the jib to the edge. You just need to place that somewhere at the bottom of the ruler part. It doesn’t matter where you place it. Just put it on the bottom and tighten the screws so it doesn’t move. the next guide up becomes the guide for the bottom of the hardware as I am showing it here. (It could be the top of the hardware if you have the jigs orientation flipped, but you get the idea). Note: I took this picture after the fact, so your jig won’t have the tape on it yet at this point. Just ignore it in the image.Step 4: Loosely mount your hardware onto the jig. IMPORTANT – the only piece on the jig that should be loose and movable at this point is the top large cross-member piece that has the additional ruler. The two small guides should be firmly in place at this point. If not then start over. Loosely mount the bottom of your hardware then slide the large upper guide in place so you can attach a screw to the top part of the hardware. Make sure your hardware is loose in the jig. You should be able to wiggle it a little. Next, tighten down all the remaining guide retaining screws. DON’T REMOVE THE HARDWARE just yet.Step 5: Next I put painter’s tape on the jig in such a way that I could see at a glance if the guides moved at any point during the hardware installation. Yes, the picture doesn’t show the hardware on the jig, but yours should be there. Next, I wrapped a pair of pliers with electrical tape and used them to snug up all the retaining screws one last time. Afterward, I made sure my hardware was still loose in the jig. Now – REMOVE THE HARDWARE. This step marks the END OF THE SET-UP. You only have to do the above steps ONCE. Your jig is now set. All you need to do next is repeat Steps 6 and 8 for each handle. Step seven is optional and I only did it once at the beginning.Step 6: Next, using a *good* center-punch, (I have an awesome Neiko 02638A, you can get right here on Amazon), punch a mark through each guide hole to mark your hardware position on your cabinet. I opted out of drilling through the jig. It was just my preference. I didn’t feel like I would have good control over both the jig and the drill if I did it that way.Step 7: (Optional) You can verify your punch marks if you wish (see image). I did this only on my first one.Step 8: Using a really good drill bit that’s the same diameter as your screw, drill your holes at each mark. Mount your hardware and you are done. Now just repeat steps 6 and 8 for each handle. As a time-saver, I went around and made all my punch marks at every location first. Then I put the jig down at this point.I hope this helped someone out there.