Jeff and Jon from TodaysCraftsmen shared the woodworking tip featured in this video.
The video tackles a common cabinetmaking dilemma: clients who want the classic look of traditional butt hinges without sacrificing the adjustability that modern concealed hinges offer. Jeff and Jon walk through a clever hardware solution that gives both worlds, and they demonstrate the installation on a set of cabinet doors in an office build.
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The Problem with Traditional Hinges
Jeff and Jon start by explaining why they moved away from traditional butt hinges on cabinetry years ago. Classic hinges are made of two leaves that mortise directly into the door and the face frame or cabinet box, which gives a timeless look but offers no room for adjustment once installed.
If a cabinet box shifts over time due to a house settling or other movement, there’s no simple way to correct the alignment. Shimming behind the hinge is about the only fix, which is far from ideal for a finished piece of furniture.
This is why most modern cabinet work relies on concealed European hinges, which allow adjustment in nearly every direction. The challenge comes when a client specifically wants the decorative appearance of an old-style hinge rather than the hidden hardware look.
Introducing the Fake Butt Hinge
To solve this, Jeff and Jon found a hardware solution made by a cabinetmaker that mimics the appearance of a traditional butt hinge while actually functioning as a decorative overlay for a concealed European hinge. It gives the classic aesthetic a client is after while still allowing the same side-to-side, up-and-down, and in-and-out adjustments that concealed hinges are known for.
It essentially combines the best of both styles. The traditional hardware provides the look, while the European hinge underneath does all the functional work.
Finish Options
The hardware comes in a wide range of finishes, giving plenty of flexibility for matching existing hardware or creating a custom look. Options range from aged and antique tones to brushed and polished metals, along with darker finishes for a more modern contrast.
For their project, the client chose a finish that paired well with the drawer pulls already selected for the piece. Jeff and Jon note that the decorative plates can also be painted, so builders aren’t limited to the stock finishes if they want a bold or custom color.
Installing the Hinges
Installation turns out to be straightforward. Jeff and Jon mark a reference line based on another decorative element on the door to keep the hinge placement consistent across multiple doors.
The hardware includes adhesive backing, so the decorative plate can be positioned and pressed into place on the door or face frame. A small pin can then be tapped through a predrilled hole to reinforce the adhesive, especially useful if the material being used is particularly hard.
The whole process takes only a couple of minutes per door, making it a fast upgrade for a set of cabinet doors. Because the hardware can be mounted on either the door or the face frame, it also adapts well to different hinge angles and swing requirements.
Why This Hack Is Worth Trying
Beyond the quick installation, Jeff and Jon point out that the cost is minimal compared to the value it adds. A pair runs just a few dollars, making it cheaper than a quality drawer pull while delivering a custom, traditional look.
For builders who want the charm of old-world hardware without giving up the practical benefits of concealed hinges, this is a simple option worth testing on an upcoming project. It’s a small detail that can make a noticeable difference in the overall design of a cabinet or furniture piece.
See Jeff’s plans here: https://todayscraftsmen.com/collections/all-products
Matt’s Take
These are my personal thoughts and tips based on my own experience in the shop. This section is not written, reviewed, or endorsed by the original creator of this project.
This is a neat workaround for a real problem. Concealed European hinges are great for a reason—that three-way adjustment saves you when a cabinet box racks slightly or a door needs a hair of tweaking after the finish goes on. Traditional butt hinges look fantastic, but once they’re mortised in, you’re stuck with whatever alignment you got on install day. Having a way to fake the look without giving up that adjustability is a smart bit of problem-solving.
If you’re trying something like this yourself, pay attention to how you set your reference line before committing to adhesive. Any decorative hardware that relies on a consistent reveal across multiple doors will look off fast if one is a sixteenth of an inch high or low. I’d dry-fit and tape a few pieces in place first, step back, and look at the whole run of doors before peeling any backing.
On the adhesive-plus-pin approach, it’s worth remembering that adhesive bond strength can vary quite a bit depending on the finish underneath. Lacquer, oil, and raw wood all grab adhesive differently, so test on a scrap or an inconspicuous spot if you’re not sure how it’ll hold long term. The pin is a good insurance policy, especially on harder woods like maple or hard maple-based plywood where adhesive alone might not be enough over years of door swings.
For a few dollars a pair, this kind of hardware is a low-risk way to add a custom touch to a build. Even if you never use it on every project, it’s a good trick to keep in your back pocket for clients who want that old-world charm without sacrificing function.