How to Install Mortise Hinges in Oak

Mortise Door Hinge in Oak

Oak is one of the hardest woods to work with simply because it is so hard. You need really sharp tools to cut and mark it. However, it is this hardness that makes it so desirable. Oak is a great wood for doors and trim as it will resist the pressures and banging that can ruin the door and hinges. If you are trying to install a door with oak trim, you may find yourself challenged when it comes to installing the mortise of the hinge. The mortise is the carved out insert where the hinge will sit flat, out of the way of the door.

Things You'll Need

• Chisel
• Butt marker
• Hammer
• Pencil
• Drill

Instructions

1. Set the door in place on the frame where you want it to hang. Mark the frame and the door with a pencil. If this is a standard door, you will probably want to use three hinges to securely hold the door. Mark each of the three hinges.

2. Place your butt marker in place first on the door. Give it a few good whacks with your hammer. This will create a clean edge around the mortise area. Once it has been firmly set into the wood so that it sits flat, lift it up and remove it from the wood.

3. Use your chisel and hammer to slowly remove the wood from the inside of the marked area. You can work vertically to remove layers of wood along the grain of the oak door and then horizontally to set the depth.

4. Set the hinge in place to see if it fits in level. If it is still above the surface, remove it and chisel away a little more wood. If you find the you have gone too far, you can add a layer of cardboard under the hinge so that it sits flat with the surface.

5. Mark the screw holes, making sure to hold the drill perpendicular to the door so the screws will sit flat when they are screwed in. Take the hinge out of the mortise and drill a pilot hole for each of the screw holes.

6. Set the hinge in place and screw in one screw to hold it in place. Put the door in position and make sure the markings you made earlier are still correct. Remove the door and follow Step 2 through Step 5 but this time on the door frame.

7. Finish the rest of the hinges using the same directions. Once all the hinge mortises have been chiseled out and the pilot holes for the hinges have been drilled, remove the pins from the hinges and screw the hinges in place on the door and on the frame.

8. Set the door in place and insert the hinge pins, tapping them into place with a hammer if tight. Apply a little household oil and your door should swing freely.

Resources

• Stanley Butt Marker