Door Hinge Jig?

Brent Dowell

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Reno NV
Does anyone have any advice for either a DIY or store bought jig to route the hinge mortise for doors?

We are replacing a bunch of doors in the house and I'll be having to do a bunch.

It'd also be good if it does the door side strike plate as well.

Just replacing the doors, not the entire casing, so I'll be needing to make sure the doors fit the existing hardware locations.
 
Back about 30 years ago I rented one from a local rental yard. Much cheaper than buying something I would probably never use again and I could rent a higher quality one than I could afford to buy. Just food for thought.
 
Well Howdy Doody, that's just what I'm looking for Tom. Simple enough even I should be able to make it work.

Thanks!
 
Are you replacing the jambs as well or just the door panels? I've got the jig Steve posted and unless you're doing the jambs too, it may be overkill. They make some smaller plastic templates that the blue borg used to carry for doing just a hinge at a time. I'd suggest those or making your own for doing just panels. Reason is that you can set the new door next to the old and mark the exact locations and making fitting them to the old jambs easier.

Edit: Like these, they make them for both the squared and large radius cornered hinges. http://www.toolbarn.com/portercable-59370.html

Can also make your own. You'll also need the template for routing the recess for the strike plate/plunger. I made one of those as well, but have one I purchased too.
IMAG0563.jpg

Here's the strike plate/latch template: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-+Router+Bits-_-Porter+Cable-_-9SIA0580009Z08
 
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hmmm I never did a bunch but I do it the way my Dad taught me, trace the hinge, use a chisel and wamb bamm thank you m-- they are done in no time at all., free hand. I guess I am a knuckle dragger at hart.

Even when I have a bunch to do that's how I get em done:thumb:
 
If the corners of the hinges were square, I'd consider that. These have a radius on the corners. I think I'd rather have the corners match the hinges in that case.

I'm going to go with Tod's 25 cent jig. Thanks! :thumb:
 
I had a few doors to hang when we bought this house a few years ago so I picked up one of these at the BORG.

http://www.portercable.com/Products/AccessoriesDetail.aspx?ProductID=16391

It worked pretty well for what I needed it for. There is a matching strike plate kit that works pretty well too.

Normally I'd do the chisel and mallet thing too but I had 8 doors to do and wanted to get them done a little quicker.
 
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