How to Carve a Hinge for a Door on a Frame

Measure from the top of the door frame down 7 1/8 inches and make a mark. Hold the door up to the door jamb and line up the top hinge's top edge on this mark. While holding the door, mark the bottom hinge's and center hinge's bottom edges. Lay the door down and remove one hinge.

Measure the hinge leaf's width. Transfer this measurement to a utility knife blade. Make a mark on the blade with a marker. Use the mark to indicate how deep the blade should cut into the jamb. Place the blade into a utility knife.

Place the hinge's top edge on the top mark against the jamb. Hold the hinge so the knuckles are facing the room and extend 1/4-inch past the jamb's interior edge. Trace around the hinge with the marked utility knife blade.

Place the hinge's bottom edge against the lowest mark on the jamb. Trace around the hinge leaf with the utility knife. Repeat with the center mark and trace around the hinge leaf.

Place a 1/2-inch chisel blade against the outline for the top hinge. Hold the chisel at a 40 degree angle. Tap the chisel's handle with a hammer to work it through the wood. Remove all the wood within the tracing. Place the hinge in the mortised area. Remove more wood as needed. Remember, it is better to remove too little wood the first time than to remove too much.

Chisel out the center and bottom traced areas in the same way. Once each is carved out, screw the hinge back onto the door. Lift the door to the opening. Fit each hinge into its mortised area and secure them in place with the supplied screws.