How to Use a Wood Chisel for a Door Hinge

Proper installation of a door hinge requires a recessed area, known as a mortise, to hold the hinge flush with the surface of the door edge and the door frame. A sharp wood chisel creates the scores need to outline the hinge, and removes the wood from inside the mortise. It is important to use a sharp wood chisel. A dull chisel will not cut the wood properly. The excess wood left by a dull tool will interfere with installation.

Things You'll Need

• Sharpening stone
• Wood chisel
• Clean rag
• Hammer
• Traced hinge area to recess

Instructions

1. Wet the sharpening stone with water. Hold the beveled side of the wood chisel on the stone. Rub the chisel in a circular motion to put a fine, sharp edge on the end of the chisel. Wipe clean the end of the chisel.

2. Place the chisel on the line representing the mortise. Face the beveled side of the chisel in toward the mortise. Hit the back of the chisel with the hammer to make a score on the surface of the wood. Score the entire perimeter of the mortise area. Within the mortise, place a score perpendicular to the rear score mark of the mortise. Make sure that the score reaches from the front of the door to the rear edge of the mortise that you scored earlier. Repeat the procedure every 1/4 to 1/2 inch until the inside area of the recess is scored.

3. Place the beveled side of the chisel against the surface of the door, with the sharp end of the chisel sitting at one of the perimeter side score marks. Tilt the chisel slightly and hit the back of it with the hammer to remove the wood from inside the mortise. Repeat the procedure with the depth of the mortise.

4. Align the sharp end of the chisel with the trace depth line located on the face of the door. Keep the beveled side of the chisel facing into the mortise. Hit the chisel with the hammer to set the depth of the mortise. Continue removing the wood from the mortise until the length of the mortise is set to the proper depth.

5. Set the hinge in the mortise to check the fit of the hinge. Remove more wood from the recessed area if the hinge does not fit properly.