How To Chisel Rounded Door Hinges

Leah demonstrates how to use a router and jig to cut perfect door hinge mortises quickly and easily.

How to chisel rounded door hinges.

Example of how to use a bevel edged chisel to create hinge slots on a beech wood door. Place the hinge in its mortise to see if it s flush with door surface. Although a router and jig can be used mortising hinges with a chisel is a solid time tested method. Move the chisel as needed to cut along the full width of the mortise.

To do a good job cutting mortises the chisel needs to be razor sharp. Position your door so you can clearly see the back edge. Typically middle hinges go in the exact center of the door top hinges sit 7 in 18 cm below the top of the door and bottom hinges rest 11 in 28 cm above the bottom of the door. This video will show you how to cut the perfect hinges on a brand new door.

If not drill or chisel until it is. 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. To cut hinge mortises on a door. Work from the knuckle side in until the mortise floor is flat.

Get the door hinge jig shown in this video through our l. Then place 1 of your hinge s wings flush against the spot where you want it to sit. Are you renovating a room and want to put on a new door. 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.

I m renovating my bathro. Screw the hinge to the door or jamb. Hold the chisel vertically about 1 8 inch away from one end of the mortise outline inside the waste area.