Hinge Jig at Bunnings vs Fast Hinge: What Australian Carpenters Actually Use
At a Glance: Bunnings stocks the Ryobi Door Hinge Kit, a single-hinge clamp-on template with a guarded router bit. It works, but you set it up once per hinge, so a three-hinge door means three separate setups. The Fast Hinge Template Kit ($250) sets all hinge positions at once, preset to the Australian standard for 85mm and 100mm hinges, cutting layout from around 15 minutes per door to under 4. For one or two doors a year, buy the Ryobi. Hanging doors for a living? The Fast Hinge kit pays for itself in the first week. Rated 4.9/5 by 13,000+ carpenters.
You need a hinge jig and you're deciding between grabbing one at Bunnings on the way to the job or ordering a trade kit. Here's the straight answer.
By the Fast Hinge team, based on feedback from 13,000+ carpenters across Australia and New Zealand.
Quick answer: if you're hanging one door this year, the Bunnings option is fine. If you hang doors for a living, the Fast Hinge system is the one. It removes measuring completely, and measuring is where the time and the mistakes are.
What Hinge Jigs Does Bunnings Actually Sell?
Walk into Bunnings and you'll find two products that come up when tradies search "hinge jig":
Ryobi Door Hinge Kit. A single-hinge template with a non-marring clamp and a guarded router bit. You clamp it at your marked hinge position, route the recess, unclamp, measure the next position, and repeat. It's a solid DIY product for the price.
Kreg Concealed Hinge Jig. This one catches people out. It's for 35mm concealed cup hinges on cabinet doors, not butt hinges on passage doors. If you're hanging house doors, it's the wrong tool entirely.
That's the range. There's no multi-hinge, trade-grade door jig system on the shelf, which is exactly why carpenters keep searching for one.
How Does the Ryobi Kit Compare to the Fast Hinge Template Kit?
| Factor | Ryobi Door Hinge Kit (Bunnings) | Fast Hinge Template Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Hinges per setup | One. Reposition and re-clamp for each hinge | All three set in one clamp, positions preset |
| Measuring required | Mark every hinge position on every door | None. Preset to Australian standard spacing |
| Consistency door to door | Depends on your marking out | Identical every door, jamb matches leaf |
| Hinge sizes | Standard sizes via depth gauge | 85mm and 100mm, the Australian residential standard |
| Router bit | Included, guarded | Fast Hinge carbide bit, replaceable |
| Built for | Occasional DIY door swaps | Full-time door hanging, site work |
| Indicative price | Under $100 | $250 ($480 for the Hinge & Latch Combo Kit) |
Where the Bunnings Option Is Fine
No point pretending otherwise: for a homeowner replacing one warped door, the Ryobi kit does the job. It's cheap, it's in stock down the road, and the guarded bit protects the template from an over-eager plunge. If that's you, buy it and get on with your weekend.
The limitations show up at volume. One setup per hinge means a standard three-hinge door takes three marking, clamping and checking cycles, on the leaf and again on the jamb. Six setups per door. Any marking error transfers straight into a gappy or bound door, and you find out at fit-up.
Where Fast Hinge Wins for Trade Use
The Fast Hinge Template Kit was built by carpenters for exactly one job: hanging Australian doors fast, all day, with zero layout.
Positions are preset, so you clamp once and route all three recesses. The same template does the jamb, so leaf and jamb always match. No tape, no pencil, no re-checking. Carpenters using the system report door install time dropping from around 45 minutes to about 20. At standard trade rates, the kit earns its $250 back inside the first week of door work.
If you're doing full installs, the Hinge & Latch Combo Kit ($480) adds latch and striker templates, so the whole door is one systemised process. It's the best seller for a reason. Browse the full range in the Fast Hinge collection.
Orders before 12pm ship same day, and shipping is free over $300. You'll have it before the weekend, not just faster than freight from overseas suppliers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bunnings sell a hinge jig for house doors?
Yes, the Ryobi Door Hinge Kit. It's a single-hinge clamp-on template with a router bit. It works for occasional use but needs a fresh setup for every hinge on every door. The Kreg jig they stock is for cabinet hinges only.
What size hinges does the Fast Hinge Template Kit suit?
85mm and 100mm butt hinges, the standard for Australian residential and light commercial doors. Positions are preset so leaf and jamb recesses always line up.
Is a preset jig worth it over an adjustable hinge jig?
For trade use, yes. Adjustable jigs cost less but need re-setting, and every adjustment is a chance to introduce error. We've covered the full breakdown in our router hinge jig comparison.
Can I use my existing router with the Fast Hinge kit?
Yes. Any trim or plunge router that takes the Fast Hinge carbide bit will run the templates. Most carpenters use a standard trim router.