Homemade Door Hinge Mortising Jig

Making a hinge mortising template.

Homemade door hinge mortising jig.

Simple jig for hinges. The jig is dirt simple. Intended for utilization with a palm router. Blow out the chips before making a final pass.

You can cut a hinge mortise with hand tools or a power tool. The jig is clamped to the door and guides the router through the cut. Homemade hinge mortising jig constructed from wood plexiglass threaded rod knobs and hardware. The hand tool method requires just a utility knife a hammer or mallet and a sharp wood chisel.

Make full depth plunge cuts at the ends of the slot with a series of shallower passes to clean out the middle. Your 1 1 2 thick door is now 1 3 4 set the jig to 1 3 4. Attach the jig using a vise as shown below or clamps. Just a piece of plywood for a base and a fence to secure it.

The power tool method uses a router and hinge mortising jig. I always learn a lot when i teach a woodworking class. Insert the correct template depending on the size of your hinges.