I’m doing more doors lately. Using an old Skil router with a Templaco template, and a bench to clamp the door to. Templaco boring jig, and hand-mortising for the strike. Not production stuff, but maybe 1 or two doors at a time. I’d like to upgrade to some better equipment, and want advice.
I’m thinking a smaller router, maybe a Bosch colt? Or a cordless router? The templaco requires (I think) a half-inch bit with a 9/16 sleeve. I looked at a Bosch colt, and couldn’t see where I would attach the sleeve. What are you using?
I notice too some hinges have the larger radius – is there a special template for that?
Also, the bench I use is great, but not very portable (heavy). Haven’t used those little door-bucks before, are they any good? Thanks!
Replies
I made a couple of door bucks for different sized doors. They can be thrown together in a half hour from scraps, or make an heirloom-quality model in half a day from nice material. I've lost a few on jobsites because no one else seems to make their own.
My favorite router is the PC 690, have three of those and being a creature of habit I have never even noticed what the other manufacturers offer. As far as I'm concerned, PC has the router market covered. Hinge routing can easily be done by their model 100, 7/8 HP router. Sometimes they're available, sometimes not.
Also have the Bosch hinge templet set, which I like a lot, and a Templaco plywood jig I bought a long time ago before the Bosch. You have to buy at least a few Templaco jigs to cover what the Bosch will do, but they work and if you are low-volume on doors it's the cheap way to get tooled up. The Bosch is very adjustable, which is nice when dealing with weird hinges. The downside is that if you want the 4 hinge capability you have to spend nearly $500 to get everything new, jig plus add-on 4-hinge kit. I got mine used.
Someone recently posted a link to what I think was a Veritas hardware mortising jig. It looked very cool and if I can make up an excuse I think I'll get one.
Dave,
I have a PC template kit, 3 hinge, standard hieght.
But every now and then I have to do some tall doors or something where it needs the different accessories.
does any one know of a web site where I can get the stuff??
Longerbars, 4th hinge kit, gauge blocks for aligning to existing morties etc...
Mr. T.
Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store...
Maybe Christmas means a little bit more...
Then he got the strength of ten Grinches, plus two!!!
A couple pipe clamps make for a great field expedient door buck.
Huck - if you don't have one, invest in a spring loaded corner chisel. I've always preferred the look of square cornered butt hinges and it eliminates that issue with various hinge radiuses (radiiii?).
One jig I don't have is one for mortising the latchplate and/or strike plate with a router. Going to have to make one next time I have a batch of doors to prehang.
(Geez, going to have to start proof reading better. You guys probably don't want to read about "larchplates" or "roiters")
Edited 12/24/2005 12:52 pm ET by jimblodgett
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/002-0450239-9808063?search-alias=tools&keywords=Porter%20Cable%20hinge%20template
Look down the page a ways. Have to find someplace else to buy, but them's the parts.