Best Cabinet Hardware Jig: 4 Accurate Choices (2026)

The Kreg KHI-PULL is the best cabinet hardware jig for most one-kitchen knob and standard-pull installations because it is compact, repeatable, and supports common 64mm through 128mm hole spacing. Choose the Milescraft HardwareJig when you need handles up to 10 inches, the True Position Tools Original when professional all-metal construction and 12-inch capacity justify the cost, or the Milescraft CabinetPRO when you need an all-metal jig with capacity up to 32 inches.

This comparison is based on current manufacturer specifications, manuals, capacity, construction, included parts, and setup features. It is not presented as a hands-on durability test. Confirm the current model and instructions before drilling an irreplaceable door or drawer.

Best cabinet hardware jigs compared

Jig	Best for	Published capacity	Construction and guides
Kreg KHI-PULL	Most knobs and common residential pulls	Common 2-1/2, 3, 3-1/2, 4, 4-1/2, 5-inch and 64, 96, 128mm spacing; edge guide 1–5 inches	Polymer body with two movable hardened-steel drill guides
Milescraft HardwareJig 1340	Value option for longer handles	Pulls and handles from 1-1/4 to 10 inches	Metal ruler, three steel 5mm bushings, reversible stops
True Position Tools Original	Frequent or professional installation	Hardware up to 12 inches center-to-center	Hardened aluminum T-square and case-hardened steel bushings; reversible
Milescraft CabinetPRO 1344	Wide drawers, long pulls, and large projects	1-1/4 to 32 inches with included extension	Machined aluminum, hardened-steel guides, imperial/metric scales, case

Capacity warning: hardware size and hole spacing are not the same measurement. Measure from the center of one mounting screw to the center of the other. A pull that is 6 inches long may use a different center-to-center spacing.

Best overall for most kitchens: Kreg KHI-PULL

The Kreg KHI-PULL fits the job most homeowners actually have: aligning knobs or pulls with common 64mm, 96mm, 128mm, 2-1/2-inch, 3-inch, 3-1/2-inch, 4-inch, 4-1/2-inch, or 5-inch hole spacing. Kreg specifies a polymer body, two movable hardened-steel drill guides, both imperial and metric scales, and a movable edge guide with 1-to-5-inch edge-to-hole-center capacity.

That makes it a good compact choice for a cabinet refresh with standard hardware. Its limitation is also clear: the guided pull-spacing range stops at 5 inches. Kreg explains that the edge guide can be removed for alignment beyond its normal reach, but that does not turn the jig into a long-pull system. For wide drawer fronts or oversized handles, choose a longer jig.

Kreg’s manual calls for a 3/16-inch (approximately 4.5mm) bit and recommends clamping the jig whenever possible. It also instructs users to place scrap wood behind the workpiece to reduce exit-side chip-out. The bit is not included with the KHI-PULL.

Best value for handles up to 10 inches: Milescraft HardwareJig

The Milescraft HardwareJig 1340 bridges the gap between small plastic templates and expensive professional systems. Milescraft specifies a metal ruler, adjustable sliding stops, a reversible left/right-door design, three steel 5mm bushings, imperial and metric scales, and a 5mm brad-point bit. Its stated handle range is 1-1/4 to 10 inches.

This is the logical choice when your hardware exceeds the Kreg’s 5-inch guided range but you do not need a 12- or 32-inch professional system. The 5mm bushing and bit are slightly larger than a 3/16-inch hole, so verify that the resulting clearance is appropriate for your hardware screws before drilling.

Best professional compact jig: True Position Tools Original

True Position Tools lists the Original for doors, drawer fronts, and hardware up to 12 inches center-to-center. Its published construction includes a hardened aluminum T-square and case-hardened steel bushings. The jig is reversible, allowing the same setup to transfer from one door hand to the other.

This model makes sense for repeated cabinet installations where rigid construction, calibration, replacement parts, and a wider working range matter more than initial price. True Position’s current product family also includes Pro features for faster drawer centering and a Max version for hardware up to 38 inches; buy those only if the added workflow or reach matches real jobs.

Best for extra-wide drawers: Milescraft CabinetPRO

The CabinetPRO 1344 is an all-metal jig released for 2026. Milescraft specifies machined-aluminum construction, hardened-steel drill guides, reversible left/right-door use, laser-etched imperial and metric markings, and an included extension that expands the range from 1-1/4 to 32 inches. The package includes a 5mm brad-point bit, hardware-spacing accessories, and a foam-lined case.

Its 32mm guide spacing can also drill a short shelf-pin pattern, but that does not make it the best dedicated shelf-pin jig for long cabinet sides. Buy it for wide hardware layouts first; treat the shelf-pin capability as secondary.

Do not confuse a hardware jig with other cabinet jigs

Hardware jig: locates through-holes for knobs, pulls, and handles.
Concealed-hinge jig: drills the large cup and/or mounting pattern for European hinges.
Shelf-pin jig: creates a repeated 32mm or other hole pattern down cabinet sides.
Drawer-slide jig: supports and aligns slide hardware during installation.

Milescraft CabinetMate, for example, is a shelf-pin jig, not a substitute for a knob-and-pull jig. It drills up to eleven holes spaced 32mm apart and includes indexing pins and a depth-controlled bit. Select the jig around the hole pattern you need rather than the word “cabinet” in the product name.

How to choose the right cabinet hardware jig

1. Measure center-to-center spacing

Measure the mounting holes on the hardware itself. Common metric spacings include 64, 96, 128, 160, and 192mm, but never infer spacing from the overall pull length or a product photo.

2. Check both axes of capacity

A jig needs enough horizontal spacing for the pull and enough edge or vertical reach to place it where you want it. A tool that accepts a 10-inch pull may still need an extension or center-mark workflow for a very wide drawer front.

3. Prefer metal drill bushings

The drill should bear against a replaceable or durable metal guide rather than wearing directly through plastic. Body material matters less than whether the measuring system stays square and the bushings hold the bit perpendicular.

4. Match the bit and screw clearance

Manufacturer systems use 3/16-inch, 4.5mm, or 5mm guides. Confirm that the supplied or required bit creates appropriate clearance without weakening the hardware installation.

5. Look for repeatable stops

Door-edge stops, drawer-centering features, and reversible layouts reduce repeated measurement. They matter more across twenty doors than on a single knob.

How to use a cabinet hardware jig without ruining a door

Confirm the final hardware. Do not drill from a catalog dimension if the physical pull is available.
Make a sample panel. Use scrap matching the door thickness and drill the complete pattern.
Choose and document placement. Record center-to-center spacing, distance from edge, door orientation, and drawer centerline.
Set and verify the jig. Tighten every guide and stop, then measure the resulting guide centers independently.
Check front and back clearance. Remove drawers or protect their interiors; make sure the bit cannot hit a slide, glass panel, or hidden hardware.
Clamp whenever possible. A clamp prevents a small shift as the bit enters the finish.
Back up the exit face. Clamp clean scrap behind the hole to reduce tear-out.
Drill one test location. Install the hardware and verify appearance and operation before repeating the setup.
Flip only as designed. Confirm that reversing the jig preserves the intended left/right reference.

Placement is a design decision, not a jig setting

A jig repeats a chosen location; it cannot decide whether that location looks right. Door rails and stiles, drawer proportions, appliance clearance, accessibility, and the hardware manufacturer’s recommendations all matter. Lay out representative doors and drawers with removable tape or a temporary template, then view the kitchen from normal angles before drilling.

For pulls, roughly one-third of the drawer or door dimension is a common visual starting point—not a rule. Long appliance pulls, narrow Shaker rails, inset doors, and mixed knob/pull schemes need individual judgment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best cabinet hardware jig for DIY use?

The Kreg KHI-PULL is the strongest fit for common knobs and pulls through 5-inch or 128mm spacing. Choose the Milescraft HardwareJig if your handles extend to 10 inches.

Is an expensive all-metal jig more accurate?

It can offer more rigidity, range, calibration, and repeatability, but setup and clamping still control the result. A correctly set compact jig can handle a one-kitchen project accurately.

Can I drill cabinet hardware without a jig?

Yes. A carefully made hardboard template can work, especially for one repeated pattern. A commercial adjustable jig earns its value when door and drawer sizes vary or the hardware layout changes.

Should cabinet hardware holes be exactly screw size?

Follow the hardware and jig instructions. A small clearance hole helps assembly, but excessive clearance can allow movement or leave the screw head unsupported.

Hardware placement is only one part of cabinet setup. Compare side-mount and undermount drawer slides and review full-overlay versus half-overlay hinges before locking in the complete door-and-drawer layout.