How to Make Hinge Holes for Doors

Mortise The Door

• 1

  Measure off the placement of the hinges on the door. Measure from the top of the door to the top of each hinge recess on the old door, and transfer the marks to the new door. Be sure to transfer the marks on what will be the hinge-side of the door.

• 2

  Place the hinge leaf on the edge of the door with the hinge sleeve against the back face of the door. Trace the outline of the hinge on the door. Pull the hinge off the door and butt the leaf against the back of the door. The top of the leaf should be flush with the door edge. Trace the bottom of the leaf edge onto the back of the door with the pencil to obtain the depth mark.

• 3

  Score along the tracing of the hinge with a utility knife. Place the edge of the wood chisel on the trace line with the beveled part of the chisel blade pointing toward the center of the tracing. Tap the handle of the chisel with a hammer until the blade reaches the depth line.

• 4

  Pull the chisel out and move it inside the tracing ¼ inch from the previous cut. Make a new cut the same way as the first. Continue moving the chisel 1/4 inch away from the previous cuts until you have cuts throughout the tracing.

• 5

  Remove the cut wood with the chisels, making the recess as flat as possible. Place the hinge inside the recess to ensure it fits correctly. The face of the hinge leaf should be flush with the edge of the door.

Making Hinge Holes

• 6

  Place the hinge inside the recessed edge of the door. Ensure the hinge is straight with the sleeve against the back of the door.

• 7

  Position the tip of an awl into one of the hinge mounting holes. Tap the end of the awl with a hammer to create an indentation. Repeat for the remaining two hinge mounting holes. Remove the hinge from the door.

• 8

  Insert a drill bit that is slightly smaller in diameter than the hinge mounting screws into your drill. Drill 2-inch deep holes at the awl marks.