Chisel Door Frame Hinge

Using a utility knife trace along the outline to create small groves then make a cut on the front or back side of the door indicating the mortise s depth.

Chisel door frame hinge.

You want to make a nice flat surface for your hinge to lay into. If not drill or chisel until it is. Before cutting your door hinge mortise place your hinge on top of the door and outline it with a pencil. Move the chisel as needed to cut along the full width of the mortise.

Holding a chisel bevel side up with one hand on the blade and one on the handle slice away any wood that the bit couldn t reach. Go slowly and test fit your hinge a few times until you get it mounted flush. The hinge mortise allows the hinge to be mounted flush with the jamb and door so the door will close properly. Hinge mortises on a door are often cut by machine with a router and straight bit but you can cut mortises by hand using a hammer and chisel as well.

Position the strike plate on the jamb so it is centered on both lines. To do a good job cutting mortises the chisel needs to be razor sharp. Using a sharp 1 inch wide chisel cut a series of parallel lines into the jamb about 1 4 inch apart staying within the scored lines and holding the chisel perpendicular to the wood. Work from the knuckle side in until the mortise floor is flat.

Place the hinge in its mortise to see if it s flush with door surface. To cut hinge. Whichever type you use there are a variety of styles available to match your home decor. If you re installing a pre hung door make sure you get the correct swing determined by the placement of the hinges and doorknob.

Open the door and stand with. Tap the chisel with a hammer to make a 1 8 inch deep cut again match the hinge leaf thickness. Corner wood chisel squaring tool for cutting square mortised door hinge recesses square off mortises for frames box tops lids doors and flip up drawers 4 5 out of 5 stars 65 11 99 11. If your frame is in good shape a slab also called a blank door image to the right is fine.