These DIY Hydraulic cabinet door stops will make your kitchen cabinet doors close gently and silently.
Those mornings...
If you’ve ever lived with someone else you’ve been there; the slamming of kitchen cabinets early in the morning or late at night while you’re trying to squeeze in those last few minutes of sleep.
If you’re lucky all it does is wake you. It not only wakes me, I gives me the pleasure of waking up with so much discontent for that person that knowing I have to see their face in the next few minutes ruins my chances of a "good" morning. My day will never be the same….
Thankfully the hydrologic door bumpers below were created; probably by a similar fellow who wanted to retain an extra few minutes of sleep and his relationships.
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The solution
Blumotion Hinge Adapter, Compact W/ Spacer - 25 Pack – they can be found here.
I first saw these life savers while walking through a kitchen display at a home improvement store. Being the number cruncher I am, and my dislike for shopping, brought me to Amazon where I found the best value. Initially I figured 25 was too much, but I’ve found plenty of cabinet doors to put these on.
After receiving these a few days later, I inspected my purchase and how I was going to install it. Under reviewing, I noticed a ridge left over from the casting process. This ridge doesn’t let the plunger create a flush mount, so I went through and filed each one off with a hand file - Just because the product was produced or designed to function a certain way, doesn’t mean it’s correct or can’t be improved!
The kit comes with spacers and two different size screws - one for use with the spacer and one for without.
I couldn’t think of a reason why I’d need to use the spacers, and didn’t like the additional leverage it would put on the screw, so I didn’t use it.
Keep in mind: The plunger has a screw on it to adjust the plunger depth. You need to make sure you have access to this after mounting for fine tuning.
Make sure to mount the plunger in an optimal location. Too close and you’ll have a hard time closing the door. Too far, and the door will swing too far before hitting the bumper, reducing the time the bumper has to slow the door, resulting in it still slamming.
The install
I mounted the plunger to the top of each cabinet about 1 ⅜” on center from the side of the cabinet closest to where the door mounts. I did this by placing the plunger flush against the face of the cabinet and marking the hole location by applying a little pressure to the screw. Once I had a visible mark, I used a spring loaded punch to make a divot in the wood.
I then predrilled a hole using a drill bit slightly smaller in diameter than the screw with some electrical tape wrapped around it to gauge depth. After a few measurements and pre-drilling the only thing left is screwing in the screw and you’re done.
I opted to screw it in 90% of the way with my cordless drill, and then finish the remainder off with a Philips screwdriver. I do that to prevent stripping out the hole and to feel the amount of pressure being applied on the screw.
Fine tuning
Once in place, you can adjust the depth of the plunger to determine how much pressure it will take to close the door and how much dampening will be used by turning the Phillips head screw in the image above. This helps you fine tune those doors with awkward mounts or if you miss placed the plunger.
I repeated the steps above about 17 times to finish the remainder of our kitchen, but I didn’t just stop there. I used a few of the remainder on our bathroom cabinet doors, so we are slam free in the entire condo, and I can wake up on my time as a happy camper. The few I didn’t use I gave to my parents, and the project continued at their house.
This was money well spent on these door bumpers and a pretty seamless install.
Have you used hydraulic cabinet door stops? If so, what brands? What’s worked for you?
Until I have something else to fix,
Jerry
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