How To Cut Mortises For Door Hinges With A Router

The power tool method uses a router and hinge mortising jig.

How to cut mortises for door hinges with a router.

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. Then align the support arm s bottom edge with the bottom edge of the door clamp it in place and rout the mortise as shown above. You can cut a hinge mortise with hand tools or a power tool. Cut your mortises to a depth that will have the hinge sitting as flush to the edge of the door as possible.

In fact for the technique you see here all it takes is a simple two part jig and an inexpensive router bit. Leah demonstrates how to use a router and jig to cut perfect door hinge mortises quickly and easily. To cut hinge. So i turned to my router to cut flat bottomed mortises.

Turns out once the door is hung it lacks the 1 8 gap between it and the door jamb making it semi difficult to shut. To rout mating mortises in the cabinet clamp the jig s support arm to the face frame s stile see photo. The hand tool method requires just a utility knife a hammer or mallet and a sharp wood chisel. Measure 6 inches from the top of the door with the tape measure and make a mark with your pencil.

Get the door hinge jig shown in this video through our l. Lay the door on its side with the side that will receive the hinges facing upward. The key to precise results is guiding the plunge router accurately so the sides of the mortise end up perfectly smooth straight and parallel to the faces of the workpiece. This mortising jig is the way to go.

I mistakenly assumed that having a mortise about 1 16 too deep would be no big deal. Mark the door for hinge positioning. It clamps to your workbench and securing the workpieces in place only takes a second with a. Make a straight line perpendicular to the spine of the door by resting the set square in line with your mark.

The jig is clamped to the door and guides the router through the cut. Repeat at the top edge of the door. The bit i use for mortising is a short top bearing pattern bit. First use a hinge to set the router bit s cutting depth photo below.

Before cutting your door hinge mortise place your hinge on top of the door and outline it with a pencil. 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. To do a good job cutting mortises the chisel needs to be razor sharp.