Chisel Door Frame

This is the traditional method of cutting door hinge slots and takes a.

Chisel door frame.

Knowing how to cut a mortise is essential for installing a deadbolt lock. Cutting a door hinge mortise with a chisel. Place the edge of a sharp chisel into any of the mortise outline grooves. A hinge mortise is the shallow cut made in the edge of a door and the door jamb that mirrors the size and thickness of the door hinge.

Keep tapping until the groove is the same depth as your door hinge then repeat the process until you ve carved around the entire perimeter of the mortise spot. Fortunately cutting out this mortise isn t nearly as difficult as it sounds. The hinge mortise allows the hinge to be mounted flush with the jamb and door so the door will close properly. You ll need to cut a mortise a small shallow recess in the wood of the door and doorjamb for the latchbolt and strike plate to rest.

Using a sharp 1 inch wide chisel cut a series of parallel lines into the jamb about 1 4 inch apart staying within the scored lines and holding the chisel perpendicular to the wood. Position the strike plate on the jamb so it is centered on both lines.