As you know, hinges are the part of a door that makes it move and gives us the convenience of opening and closing a door from different sides. A hinge is one of the most vital components of a door, that’s why, it’s mandatory to learn, how to cut hinges for doors.
Moreover, a hinged door requires two hinges because it seems convenient and because two hinged doors will not fall down easily.
When it comes to installing hinges on a door, you’ll need more than just one pair of hands. The process includes purchasing hinge cutter bits to preparing them for installation. So, what are you waiting for? Letโs start!
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How To Cut Hinges For Doors – Complete Guide!
Purchase A Set Of Hinge Cutter Bits:
The first step is to purchase a set of hinge cutter bits. These are available from your local hardware store or online, and they come in a variety of sizes and can be used to cut standard butt hinges and ball bearings.
Once you have your bits, you will need to drill a hole through the center of each hinge pin using a drill bit that matches the size of your hinge pins. You’ll also need a screwdriver bit that fits into this hole so that you can use it as an anchor for the hinge cutter bit.
Measure The Depth Of The Door Frame:
After that, you need to measure the depth of the door frame. The standard hinge-to-door length is about 2 inches. However, you may need to adjust this measurement slightly depending on the size of your door and how far it opens.
Determine The Opening Angle/Hinge Of Your Door:
The next step is to determine the opening angle of your door so that you can cut the hinge accordingly. It ensures your hinges are installed properly and will not be loose or fall off while they are in use.
Furthermore, the average opening angle is 90 degrees, but some doors open at an angle less than this, and others open at an angle greater than 90 degrees.
Adjust The Router To Cut A 1/4-Inch-Deep Mortise:
After that, you need to adjust your router so that it will make a 1/4-inch deep mortise. Most routers come with several depths stops, which allow you to adjust how deep each cut goes into your material. You can also use a depth gauge if your router doesn’t have one.
Remove All Waste Using A Chisel And Mallet:
Well, you can do this by hand, but it is much easier to use a chisel and mallet.
You should remove all the unnecessary material from around the door and hinge. This is done because you will be using these tools later on in the process, so they need to be able to fit without any problems.
Prepare Hinges For Installation:
Before you start installing new hinges on your door, prepare them for installation by removing all burrs from their edges using a fine file or sandpaper. Then wipe the dust off with a soft cloth and apply some oil on their surfaces, so they don’t rust.