How to Pop a Hinge Pin Out

On residential doors, hinges are joined by a series of interlocking teeth, with a metal pin passing through the teeth to lock the two halves of each hinge together. When it's time to remove the door for painting or to widen the doorway a bit while moving furniture, there's no need to waste time removing screws from all the hinges. Instead, simply pop the hinge pin out to quickly and easily remove the door from the opening.

Screwdriver
Allen wrench
Pliers
Center punch
Hammer
Flat screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Open your door and inspect the barrel of the hinges. Look for screws or nuts along the length of the barrel. Use a screwdriver or Allen key to remove these screws or nuts if you see them before attempting to remove the hinge. Most hinges will not have either of these fasteners on the barrel.
- 2
  Examine your hinges. If they have balls or specialty tips at either end of the barrel, you'll have to remove them to access the pin. Grasp the tip between your fingers and screw it from the barrel by hand. On old or painted hinges, you may need to use pliers to remove the tip. Set the tip aside for reuse.
- 3
  Close the door and latch it. Stand on the side of the door that allows you to see the barrels on the hinges.
- 4
  Position a center punch or the tip of a 16d nail below the hinge pin on the middle hinge. Strike the handle of the center punch or the head of the nail to drive it into the barrel of the hinge and force the top of the hinge pin out of the top of the barrel.
- 5
  Pull the hinge pin out of the top of the barrel using your fingers. If the pin is lodged tightly in place, position the tip of a flat screwdriver below the head of the pin, then gently tap the head of your screwdriver with a hammer to remove the pin.
- 6
  Repeat this process to remove the pins from all hinges on the door.
- 7
  Open the door and pull it sideways to separate the hinges and pull the door from the frame.

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