Hi,
I need to hang nine new doors and build new jambs for each of them. I’ve looked around at hinge routing guides and they seem to run the gamut from simple, nail-on plastic guides to elaborate metal contraptions. Does anyone have a good suggestion for what would work for me? Thanks.
Replies
I was recently at HD and noticed a pair of forms by Porter Cable that included a router bit for about $30.00. We just completed installing 7 doors and they would have come in very handy. But as of yet we dont have any.
I too would be very interested in the replys on this post.
GSW
I have the Bosch door hanging jig that allows you to mortise for 3 hinges on doors up to 7' tall. It works well and is much faster than any other way I can think of to do it, whether the jamb is installed or not. It would make your job a piece of cake. They usually sell for about $230 although I got mine used for $125 from someone on this forum. If you want to set 4-hinge doors you need to buy an additional template and rails for another $180. You need a router, a 5/8 OD bushing, and a 1/2" router bit. A corner chisel is helpful if you're using square corner hinges. Most rounded corner hinges are 1/2" radius, some are larger... avoid those is my suggestion.
http://tinyurl.com/3kyyz
You can also get non-adjustable plywood templates from Templaco... check their site.
Edited 3/6/2005 4:59 pm ET by davidmeiland
I can make a plywood 3 hinge mortise guide in about 15 minutes out of scrap, that will be just as accurate as any store bought jig.
If I remember I will post a picture tomorro.
I'd like to see that jig!! Doors are coming my way soon!
Then why don't you sell one to me for no material cost, fifteen minutes of your time, and modest shipping charges?
Decide which router and bit you will use.
Decide what you want it to do to the door.
Think about it and build your own jig and hang it on the wall for your next job.
May take a little practice on a few 2X4 studs but when you get it right for that router it will work for you and you will be proud of yourself and save a few hundred bucks.
If I remember I will post a picture tomorro.Just a reminder, it's tommorow :-)No, actually its today, oh well.<G>
I use the inexpensive PC single template with my PC laminate trimmer. When the bit gets dull, I throw it away and buy a new template and bit. Easey Peezy.......jocobeView Image
Simple Template.
Tack it to the door or jamb, run your router around each box with a ½" bit. Hinges with a ¼" radius corners fit perfectly.
I bought 4 of the Porter Cable plastic hinge routing guides in about 1998 and the strike latch router guide from a store going out of business (Hechingers). Someone had stolen the router bits from the kits, so instead of costing $20, each guide cost about $5. I fastened three of the routing guides on a story pole with the top and bottom guide an equal distance from the end of the pole, and the third guide smack in the middle. That way I was able to route the door hinges, flip the pole over, shim it up from the floor for clearance and route the casing.
Oh yes, I bought the fourth kit in case I needed to do some four-hinge doors (and because it was such a bargain.)
It worked for me, but it would probably be too expensive if you pay full price for each plastic guide.
D&L
I tried that PC jig about 3 yrs ago. After that job was overe, I threw it in the trash.
I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.
i bought the hinge template and guide sears has [yeah i know sears] for like 18. work pretty good. if i was hanging doors for a living i buy something better but for 11 doors it was fine. i had always wood chiseled before,not again. larry
hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
It is a cinch to make a template yourself, use 1/4 ply, about 6 inches wide, and as long as the doors you will be hanging. Then decide which size hinge you will be using. Use a small (1/4) bit in your round base router. Simply measure off the edge of the router base to the cutter, and add this all the way around the dimension of the hinge. Using square cuts will still produce nicely rounded mortises. Just nail the template to the door with a few tiny finishers. It might take some fooling around, but once you get started it is easy to figure out. hope this helps.
I made mine out of ply also marked the top with 1/16 " increments so I could gap the door proper or the way I wanted. Also write the size of bit, guide bushing ,and hinge size that will be used with that guide.
I have the pc kit with the addtl template for the fourth hinge. Although I've only used it a half dozen times, I have full confidence in it's speed and accuracy. (plus it looks cool and pro-like when I whip it out ;>) ) You should know that I set it up and practiced (experimented) on some good scrap prior to its public debut and that helped greatly.