Using a chisel support the door between sawhorses with the hinge edge facing up and measure the positions of the hinges.
How to cut a door frame for hinges.
Once you re happy with the outline remove your hinge from the door.
Adjust the hinge so the pin is flush.
Score the outline with a utility knife.
Then grab a utility knife and extend the blade to no more than 25 in 0 64 cm.
Hold the hinge against the side of the.
This 1 8 inch allows room for the door to swing in.
Move the chisel over and tap again until you ve cut along the entire scored outline.
Place one of the hinges on the edge of the door with its top edge on the top mark.
Go back over the tracing with the chisel cutting another 1 16 inch deep until the.
Tap and reposition the chisel so that you cut out all the wood inside the hinge tracing to a depth of 1 16 inch.
How to cut the perfect hinge in minutes.
For example if the uppermost hinge on the frame sits 10 inches from the top this top hinge will be cut 9 7 8 inches from the top of the door.
Drag the blade along each of the pencil lines creating small grooves you ll use later.
Hold a sharp chisel a 1 inch or 1 1 4 inch chisel works best vertically with the beveled side facing the mortise.
Tap the chisel with a hammer to cut the wood about 1 8 inch deep or to the precise thickness of the hinge leaf.