How to Cut a Recessed Mortise Door Hinge

Mark the Mortise

• 1

  Measure for the hinge locations from the top of the door frame. Make a small pencil mark for the top of each hinge on the side of the door.

• 2

  Lay the hinge on the door with the top at the pencil mark. Use a utility knife to slowly score around the hinge. Use care to keep the knife tight against the hinge for a clean cut.

• 3

  Set a combination square to the thickness of the hinge and use the combination square to mark the depth line on the face of the door.

Cut the Mortise

• 4

  Begin cutting the mortise. Use a sharp chisel and begin gently scraping away the wood from inside the score line. Let the chisel do the work and be careful to not cut outside the line.

• 5

  Keep an eye on the depth mark and cut evenly down to that depth.

• 6

  Hold the chisel vertically to the side of the door and make a straight cut down to the depth mark all around the outline of the hinge.

• 7

  Smooth out the mortise using fine sandpaper before installing the hinge.