Hinges in mdf

[xy mosian]

The problem is one of spreading the load in the MDF. For cupboards perhaps a good solution is to set a softwood strip into the edge of the MDF, the hinge screws then have something to bite into.
Rout a suitable groove along the edge and either glue into this a softwood strip, or use it to house a groove for a tongue on edge lipping.
I have done the first using a short softwood inset to take hinge screws into the edge of a door for a cabinet over the letter box. There has not been a problem in some thirty years. Of course the door will drop off tomorrow now.
Only you know how much 'hammer your van cupboard door will have to take.
geoff

 

[throbscottle]

You can get cranked hinges, so they look like a butt hinge with the pivot at the front, but actually are bent around the door so they screw in from the back. Don't know the proper term for them. Circumvents any splitting problem quite neatly, if you are able to use them....
Oh, apparently cranked hinge is the proper term. Just put that into your favourite search engine

 

[Chris152]

Thanks all - having read around the net a bit, I think we'll go for those kitchen cabinet hinges which will allow me to screw into faces, not edges. Hopefully I'll find some that simply screw on without having to make a recess for the hinge to sit into.

 

[Doug71]

The concealed hinges that require a 35mm hole are best but you can get ones that just screw on.

Example here from Screwfix, some reviews complain about the spring strength but they are also available unsprung.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/hafele-steel-90-easy-mount-hinges-95mm-2-pack/1121j

 

[steadyeddie]

The concealed hinges that require a 35mm hole are best but you can get ones that just screw on.

Example here from Screwfix, some reviews complain about the spring strength but they are also available unsprung.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/hafele-steel-90-easy-mount-hinges-95mm-2-pack/1121j

It's worth noting these hinges are overlay. You require cranked inset.

 

[Doug71]

It's worth noting these hinges are overlay. You require cranked inset.

I must confess that I have never used this style of hinge but according to Hafele website says they can be used for both overlay and inset.

https://www.hafele.co.uk/en/product/concealed-hinge-90-easy-mount-steel/P-00898418/