Chisel Door Frame

Cutting a door hinge mortise with a chisel.

Chisel door frame.

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. This is the traditional method of cutting door hinge slots and takes a. Example of how to use a bevel edged chisel to create hinge slots on a beech wood door. Place the edge of a sharp chisel into any of the mortise outline grooves.

Position the strike plate on the jamb so it is centered on both lines. Knowing how to cut a mortise is essential for installing a deadbolt lock. You ll need to cut a mortise a small shallow recess in the wood of the door and doorjamb for the latchbolt and strike plate to rest. Then gently tap the back end of the chisel with a hammer or mallet pushing it into the door.

A hinge mortise is the shallow cut made in the edge of a door and the door jamb that mirrors the size and thickness of the door hinge. Score around the plate with a sharp utility knife.