If you’ve ever struggled with a cabinet or door that slams shut, you know how frustrating it can be. This is where soft close hinges come in handy, as they ensure a gentle, quiet close every time. However, even the best soft close hinges can become misaligned over time, leading to a loud and jarring close. The good news is that adjusting these hinges is a quick and easy process that anyone can do with the right tools and knowledge. In this article, we will guide you through the steps on how to adjust a soft close hinge, so you can enjoy the convenience of a quiet and smooth closing cabinet or door.
How to Adjust a Soft Close Hinge
If you have soft close hinges on your cabinet doors or drawers, you may have noticed that they don’t always close properly. Fortunately, adjusting these hinges is a relatively simple process that can be done in just a few steps. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to adjust a soft close hinge and ensure that your cabinets and drawers close smoothly and quietly.
Step 1: Determine the Type of Hinge
Before you can adjust your soft close hinge, you need to determine what type of hinge you have. There are two main types of soft close hinges: those with a screw that adjusts the closing speed and those with a clip that adjusts the closing force.
If your hinge has a screw, you can adjust the speed at which the door or drawer closes by turning the screw clockwise or counterclockwise. If your hinge has a clip, you can adjust the force at which the door or drawer closes by moving the clip up or down.
Step 2: Locate the Adjustment Screw or Clip
Once you’ve determined the type of hinge you have, you need to locate the adjustment screw or clip. This will typically be located on the hinge itself, near the joint where the hinge attaches to the cabinet or drawer.
If you have a screw, it will be located on the side of the hinge that faces the inside of the cabinet or drawer. If you have a clip, it will be located on the top or bottom of the hinge.
Step 3: Adjust the Screw or Clip
To adjust the speed of the soft close hinge, turn the screw clockwise to slow down the closing speed or counterclockwise to speed up the closing speed. You may need to make several small adjustments until you find the right speed for your cabinet or drawer.
To adjust the force of the soft close hinge, move the clip up or down. Moving the clip up will increase the force and moving it down will decrease the force. Again, you may need to make several small adjustments until you find the right force for your cabinet or drawer.
Step 4: Test the Adjustment
Once you’ve made your adjustments, test the soft close hinge to ensure that it’s working properly. Open the cabinet or drawer and let it close on its own. If it closes too quickly or too forcefully, you may need to make additional adjustments.
Repeat the adjustment process until you’re satisfied with the way the soft close hinge is working.
Step 5: Maintain the Hinges
To ensure that your soft close hinges continue to work properly, it’s important to maintain them regularly. This includes cleaning them with a soft cloth and lubricating them with a silicone spray or similar product.
Additionally, you should periodically check the hinge screws to ensure that they’re tight and make any necessary adjustments.
Conclusion
Adjusting a soft close hinge is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. By taking the time to properly adjust your hinges, you can ensure that your cabinets and drawers close smoothly and quietly. Remember to maintain your hinges regularly to keep them working properly and avoid any future issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I adjust the closing speed of a soft close hinge?
To adjust the closing speed of a soft close hinge, locate the adjustment screw on the hinge. Turn the screw clockwise to slow down the closing speed or counterclockwise to speed it up. Test the door after each adjustment until the desired closing speed is achieved.
2. How do I adjust the tension of a soft close hinge?
To adjust the tension of a soft close hinge, locate the tension screw on the hinge. Turn the screw clockwise to increase the tension or counterclockwise to decrease it. Test the door after each adjustment until the desired tension is achieved. Keep in mind that adjusting the tension can also affect the closing speed, so it may be necessary to make adjustments to both screws.