Lester Gammon's By-Line

by Lester Gammon, Contractor Sales

In This Article: Clip top Blumotion hinges

• Something New in Cabinet Hinges

Many of you have been using Blum’s concealed cabinet hinges for years now. Concealed hinges have, in fact, become the standard cabinet hinge. The move from semi-concealed to concealed hinges was fueled not only by cabinet fashion, but also by cabinetmakers themselves who enjoy the superior adjustability and design options they allow.

A couple of years ago Blum Functional Hardware introduced soft close devices for both their drawer guides and hinges. The purpose of the soft close feature is to eliminate slamming doors and drawers by causing the final part of the shutting action to adjust into a slow motion, creating a cushioned close. Blum was able to build the drawer guides with their ‘Blumotion’ feature integrated into the guide itself. The cabinet hinges however, have required a separate Blumotion soft-close device to be attached onto the hinge itself, when using the Blum clip-top hinge. Until now...

With the introduction of the ‘Clip top Blumotion’ hinge, it is no longer necessary to attach a second device onto the hinge. A soft close device is built into the hinge, creating a more streamlined look. Now this new hinge will be available in a straight-arm and half-cranked arm only. Angled and 170 degree hinges are not part of the program yet.

A few things to know and keep in mind when using the new Clip top Blumotion hinges.

1. Firstly, you must not mix-and-match with the standard Blum Clip top hinges. The two will not work in harmony because of differing point of closing angles. The difference in the pivot point in the Blumotion hinge allows the installer to build a thicker than ¾” door that the standard clip top hinge is limited to.
2. Secondly, the boring depth is deeper in the new hinge. Granted, it is only 1.5mm deeper, but especially for factory-bored doors, this will make a difference. A shim is available for retrofitting.
3. Thirdly, each Blumotion hinge has an on/off switch. For most doors, the speed of one hinge activated with the Blumotion will be adequate, but for heavier or tall doors, the installer may choose to have all hinges ‘on’. The mounting plates have not changed and both hinges work with them.

The Blum compact hinges, typically used on face-framed cabinets are not available with the Blumotion feature. To achieve a soft close with compact hinges, a separate soft-close piston and carriage continue to be the method to employ.

The Clip top Blumotion hinges will be an addition to our inventory of Blum hardware, all the hardware you are used to working with will remain in stock.

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