How to Cut in the Hinge Marks of a Wooden Door

Wooden doors are an attractive feature in any home and can last for generations if they are installed properly. To install a wooden door, the hinges must be flush with the surface of the edge of the door. The outline of the hinges need to be cut into the door for them to be flush. This cut is called a mortise and is traditionally made by hand with a chisel and mallet. The shallow notch is not difficult to make, but you need to be careful when you are laying out the lines so that the hinges fit perfectly.

Hinge template (comes with door)
Utility knife
1-inch Flat chisel
Mallet
Sanding block,fine-grit
Pencil

Instructions

- 1
  Lay the door flat on a work surface with the hinge edge of the door facing you. Place the hinge template carefully on the hinge edge of the door.
- 2
  Mark the outline of each hinge onto the edge of the door with a pencil. Double check the layout before you remove the template from the edge of the door.
- 3
  Cut along each of the pencil lines carefully with an utility knife. Go back over the lines to score them to approximately the depth of the hinge thickness.
- 4
  Hold the chisel at one end mark of the first hinge. The chisel should be positioned at a slight angle. Tap the top of the chisel handle with a mallet and shave off a thin shaving of the door. Continue shaving the wood inside the cut lines in this manner until you have cut out the entire area of the hinge mortise.
- 5
  Test the fit of the hinge and continue with the chisel process until it fits perfectly. Repeat this process for each hinge.
- 6
  Sand each hinge mortise lightly with a fine-grit sanding block in the same direction as the wood grain to make the surface completely smooth.

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Woodworking