In Blum's part number guides, a hinge part number names the hinge family and details such as the arm, the attachment or the overlay. This guide shows how to tell CLIP top BLUMOTION, CLIP top, COMPACT BLUMOTION and COMPACT hinges apart and how to read the part numbers of the hinges and their CLIP mounting plates.
Sources: Blum's Hinge Identification Guide (LIT.HNG5200.07.25) and Concealed Hinges catalog (LIT.HNG1000.10.25). On the product pages for the items shown below this post, the title begins with Blum and an eight-digit number, and the description prints a Blum part number such as 71T3550.
CLIP hinge or COMPACT hinge?
- CLIP top BLUMOTION, CLIP top and CLIP: the mounting plate has its own part number. The guide gives CLIP mounting plates a separate key, and the catalog lists them on their own pages as CLIP mounting plates.
- COMPACT BLUMOTION and COMPACT: Blum's COMPACT series adjustment sheet calls the 38N, 38C and 39C hinges one piece hinges, and the catalog presents COMPACT as a face frame program. The mounting type is part of the hinge number.
- COMPACT CLIP: uses the CLIP mechanism; the catalog says it comes pre-attached to the plate.
For COMPACT hinges, the guide says to measure the cup depth: 11 mm (7/16 in.) or 13 mm (1/2 in.).
How to tell the hinges apart
Features the guide marks on each hinge (a selection):
| Hinge, part no. | Look for |
|---|---|
| CLIP top BLUMOTION 155, 71B75X0 | Narrow hinge link, full exposed rivet, deactivation switch |
| CLIP top BLUMOTION 125, 71B75X0D | Wide hinge link, partial exposed rivet, 125 logo |
| CLIP top 155, 71T75X0 | Narrow hinge link, no deactivation switch |
| COMPACT BLUMOTION 38N 105, 38N35XB.XX | Dimple in arm, 7/16 in. cup depth |
| COMPACT 39C 110, 39C35XC.XX | 1/2 in. cup depth, b logo, 39C stamped on base of cup |
For the CLIP hinges, the guide notes that all hinges shown are straight-arm hinges; cranked arms differ in the shape or size of the arm and in the reference number. An X is a position the key fills in, not a character to order: in 71B75X0 it is the attachment digit.
Reading a CLIP hinge number: 71B3550, 71B3580, 71B3590
The key on page 15 of the guide, read character by character (a selection):
| Position | Codes (selection) |
|---|---|
| 2nd: closing | 1 = 110, 95, 155, 125; 3 = 110+; free swing hinges are denoted by 0/2 |
| 3rd: style | B = CLIP top BLUMOTION, T = CLIP top, A = angled CLIP top, M = CLIP |
| 4th: opening angle | 1 = 107, 3 = 110 and 110+, 5 = 120, 6 = 170, 7 = 155 and 125 |
| 5th: arm design | 5 = straight arm, 6 = half crank, 7 = full crank |
| 6th: attachment | 5 = screw-on, 8 = press-in, 9 = INSERTA |
| 7th: features | 0 = standard, E = EXPANDO |
| Special features | D = 125, .TL = free swing, .10 = blind corner |
So 71B3550 is a CLIP top BLUMOTION 110 degree straight-arm hinge, screw-on; the catalog lists its press-in, INSERTA and EXPANDO versions as 71B3580, 71B3590 and 71B358E. Our 110 full overlay self-close hinge prints 71T3550, a CLIP top that the catalog lists under self close. On these pages, SoftClose in the title is Blum's BLUMOTION (soft close). Our 155 degree pages print 71B7550 (screw-on) and 71B7580 (press-in, Dowel in our title); our 125 degree thick door hinge prints 71B7580D. In the catalog's free swing number 70T3580.TL, 0 is the free swing closing digit and .TL the free swing code. Our Richelieu hinge guide gives a shorter summary.
Reading a COMPACT number: 38N355B.08
Page 29 of the guide covers COMPACT BLUMOTION and COMPACT. A selection:
| Position | Codes (selection) |
|---|---|
| 2nd: cup depth | 8 = 11 mm (7/16 in.), 9 = 13 mm (1/2 in.) |
| 3rd: overlay and adjustments | N = partial, height, side and depth; C = full, height, side and depth |
| 6th: attachment | 5 = screw-on, 8 = press-in |
| 7th: features | B = COMPACT BLUMOTION, C = COMPACT |
| 8th: mounting type | . = wrap around, E = edge, F = face |
| Last two: overlay | 06 = 3/8 in., 08 = 1/2 in., 12 = 3/4 in., 16 = 1 in. |
38N355B.08, printed on our 105 COMPACT soft close screw-on 1/2 in. hinge, reads: 11 mm (7/16 in.) cup depth, partial overlay with height, side and depth adjustment, screw-on, COMPACT BLUMOTION, wrap around, 1/2 in. overlay. COMPACT CLIP numbers, such as 30C255B.08, use a different key on page 30.
Blum's COMPACT hinge replacement letter (LIT.HNG8400) calls the COMPACT 31 and COMPACT 33 obsolete and shows COMPACT 39C for full overlay and COMPACT 38N for partial overlay as current hinges, noting that the cup orientation and drilling pattern may be different.
Reading a CLIP mounting plate number: 175L6660.22
The plate key is on page 17; its second digit, 7, means CLIP. A selection:
| Position | Codes (selection) |
|---|---|
| 3rd: material | 3 or 4 = steel, 5 or 7 = zinc die-cast |
| 4th: style | L = one-piece, H = two-piece, E = EXPANDO |
| 5th: attachment | 6 or 7 = wood screws, 9 = system screws or #7 wood screws |
| 6th: location | 0 = frame 9.5 mm setback, 1 = panel 37 mm setback, 6 = frame 12.5 mm setback |
| 7th: height | 0 = 0 mm, 3 = 3 mm, 4 = 4.5 mm, 6 = 6 mm, 9 = 9 mm |
| After the dot | .21 = center mount, .22 = off-center mount; .04 to .18 = CLIP wing, 1/4 to 1-1/8 in. |
Our 6 mm FF (face frame) cast plate, off-center prints 175L6660.22: zinc die-cast, one-piece, wood screws, frame 12.5 mm setback, 6 mm height, off-center mount. The catalog lists it with the face frame adapter plates, attached with #7 x 3/4 in. wood screws. For overlay, inset and plate height terms, see our concealed hinge guide.
Blum conversion and plate instructions
- 175L6600.22 to 175H6000 plate conversion instructions: the old design 175L6600.22 (off center mount) and the new design 175H6000 (center mount).
- 40mm to 35 mm hole conversion instructions, for face frame and panel applications: "The current 40 mm cup holes can not be used with the new hinges."
- CLIP mechanism reattachment and mounting plate installation/removal
- COMPACT series - Hinge and mounting plate adjustments (LIT.HNG6400.05.25)
Follow these Blum sheets for any drilling, mounting or adjustment of your hinge and plate.
Blum hinges at The Builders Supply
- Blum - our Blum brand page
- Cabinet hinges - hinges from more makers
- Another maker's hinges: Hickory Hardware cabinet hinges
Not sure which Blum hinge or plate you have? Our customer support team is available Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM Central Time, at 1-888-800-7789 or [email protected].
Related Products
