hinge

Mortising a Hinge

Do not attempt to mark a mortise for a hinge with a measuring device. Use the actual hinge as a template. Position it correctly on the edge of the door and mark its perimeter with a sharp pencil. (For an alternative method, see Installing Door Hinges and Locksets, Related Projects.) Mark for the thickness of the mortise also.

score

To prevent the wood grain from splintering at the edges of chisel cuts, score the lines you have just marked by gently cutting with a sharp knife. Once the score lines have been established, go over them again with the knife until you have cut to the depth of the mortise. A butt marker also can be used to score lines (see Installing Door Hinges and Locksets, Related Projects).

chisel

Hold the chisel with the beveled face down at the angle shown. Whenever possible, cut in the direction in which the wood grain runs to the edge of the board. Otherwise, the chisel will follow the grain deeper down into the board than you intended. Drive the chisel to the depth of the mortise, making several slices across its width.