I need to drill kitchen cupboard doors to fit handles, but the wood splits at the exit point, any suggestions?

Question

Is there some kind of tape I could put on the back of the doors to stop it from splitting where the drill bit comes through?

Answer 1

You have two choices (btw tape is possible but not really that great because it could pull off the paint on the cabinet when you remove it).

You can drill a smaller than needed hole in the handle's intended location. It will go through and make a tiny bit of splintering. Then use the final size bit to drill more than halfway from the front to make a clean hole on the front. Stop and then drill more than halfway from the back to complete a clean hole.

The other way is to clamp a thin piece of plywood over the back of the place where your drill bit will come out. When you drill through then the plywood, which is now the outermost wood, will have some splintering but the cabinet door itself will be perfect after you unclamp the plywood.

Answer 2

You can use masking tape to help but if you use a proper wood bit (the drill bit is flat at the end with a sharp point in the middle) rather than a standard drill bit which is angled slightly.

When the drill bit point comes through, stop drilling and drill through from the other side.

That's a bit hit and miss though... try this instead...

You can also use another piece of wood held up against the piece where the hole will come through. When the drill comes through, it meets the second block of wood and doesn't break out the back of your doors.

Answer 3

If your handles are big enough to hide any likely splintering where the drill bursts through, drill from the back of the door out to the front. Otherwise, follow the advice already given and clamp a piece of scrap wood to the back of the door, and drill from the front. A sharp drill bit, high speed and fairly light pressure on your drill will all help.

Answer 4

Use C-clamps to security attach another piece of wood at the back of the door you are drilling. The drill bit will continue into the extra piece of wood and the pressure of the wood against the door will prevent the door from chipping.
Tape won't work.
You can buy inexpensive C-clamps at any hardware store. They are only a few dollars.

Be careful not to over tighten them or they may leave a mark on your door.

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Answer 5

Paul has given you the best tip, use a wood drill bit and as soon as the point comes through the door turn it around and drill through the other way. Another good tip before you start is to use a fine nail point and tap to score the surface before you drill, this will stop the drill skidding across the surface

Answer 6

mark your drill hole both sides of the cupboard and on the inside drill in about a quarter of an inch then drill from the front , this will stop the wood splitting when the drill go through the door.

Answer 7

put a bit of scrap timber on the back of the door and drill through into this, it normally stops break out. Also use a sharp wood drill and don't drill at too higher speed.

Answer 8

place a block of wood behind the door at the exit point, and let the drill bit drill into the block, be careful not to drill into hand, a clamp to hold it in place would work also

Answer 9

Try drilling an extremely small pilot hole first then try the bigger drill. Also try holding a scrap piece of wood against the rear of the door.

Answer 10

I would use a very small drill and drill through slowly.Then using that hole for a guide, drill from both sides (front first) with the correct size drill.