Essential Hinge Jig ~ Hang Doors Quickly & Easily Every Time

Dan's Essential Hinge Jig is available from Benchdogs.
🔗 benchdogs.co.uk
Dan Cox has designed a hinge jig that answers the shortcomings of existing hinge jigs.
• Clamps to the door and is non-marking.
• Open aperture to eliminate the need to plunge.
• Fully configurable for 3 or 4-inch hinges and taller doors.
• Ideal for fire doors with the 100mm spacer block.
• All parts are replaceable through the UK manufacturer.
• Portable in its own carry tube.
Dan has also created the Ultimate Roofing Square.
🔗 www.essential-carpenter-tools...
The Essential Hinge Jig. Hang Doors Quickly & Easily Every Time.
The set includes 3 extrusion rails and joiners, 6 hinge blocks (depending on size, 3 or 4 inches), 6 flush guides, 3 inline clamps, a 2mm head joint plate, and a carry case.
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#carpentry #dancox #woodworking
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[@bradwhelan4466]

There is not a better tool than one designed by the person who actually knows what he wants from it. And this looks like an excellent piece of kit.

[@MrSeymour1308]

Given the flexibility of the design, and the quality of bench dogs kit, £220 is a steal.

[@robertgreen2765]

Just ordered mine i have been waiting for something like this to come on the market and british made what a great peace of kit.

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

Thanks Robert.

[@edthompson9337]

A lot of thought as gone in to that design, especially like the built in clamps for attaching to the door and that you are making it in the UK.❤

[@Ianf1x]

Thats a really good price. I like that you told us about small problems like start at bottom of gig to avoid dust . Great tips.

[@benalexlily]

All ways start from the bottom 😂

[@RpR_Makes]

Good luck to you Dan, you deserve it for all the hard work, dedication and passion you show for your craft. I will buy one

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

Thank you.

[@TheToolJunkies]

Awesome video boys! I’ll be using mine this week and I can’t wait!

[@raybrock6083]

I have now received my jig which arrived very quickly. I have now used my jig on six doors and the results are superb, as accurate as a CNC machine but I did have one niggle. The knurled knob that tightens the blocks to the rail. A couple were stiff to turn which resulted in them moving slightly when I stood the jig up after use. I had to be very careful not to knock it in anyway. As I mentioned in my previous post I did drill through the extrusion to secure the jig to the door lining and it was covered by the door stops so it would be nice if the holes were already there but it was a simple job to drill them myself.

[@denty32]

Beautifully made piece of kit, well thought out and made in the uk. I think like you say once it’s set up(10 minutes) and bang it’s off 👏👏

[@thetallcarpenter]

This new jig looks really cool Dan, and I can think of many reasons to buy one🤔particularly the way it self clamps, its super easy hinge apeture setting and, of course, being made in Great Britain👍Well done to all involved in its design and manufacture👌

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

Thanks Del. Not all me, Ralph certainly improved my ideas and made it look great. Jules got involved too.

[@multiworx]

Maybe put a few holes in the main rails so the screws are hidden in behind the doorstops. Great content as always guys.

[@samting2009]

that's what I was going to surgest.

[@SkillBuilder]

We did discuss that as an option.

[@benalexlily]

I have the trend jig and I screw it to the door and lining and yes if there are screw holes in the main body that would be so much better behind the door stop as if I was and am thinking about getting one I would do this and way 4.5 mill hole a with a 4 x 50mm screw

[@lazylad8544]

You will sell a good few of these as it looks well built. If you buy cheap you buy twice. The price is reasonable. After you've fitted the first twenty doors you'll be glad you paid the extra. Now we're is my apprentice to lug these heavy doors upstairs 😉🤣🤣👍👍.

[@mikeswoodencreations5712]

Looks good Dan, I like how you’ve included slight adjustment on the depth of the hinge as this is set on other jigs, nice job!

[@RI-uv3lm]

Looks like it is a battle of the hinge jigs between Dan & Robin! Cant help noticing the sequence & timing of your videos! Who came in first? 😀 👏👏

[@SkillBuilder]

We said on Instagram that this video was going out at 7pm so Robin went for 6.15. God loves a trier as our Irish friends are apt to say.

[@burwoodbuild]

Dan…. I have to say you’ve absolutely smashed it mate! This jig is genius with some really smart ideas that my Trend jig doesn’t have. And getting Benchdogs involved was a master stroke!👌🏼🥹

[@user-lj2nc5qj9h]

Well done Dan great jig👍 it’s good to see something that’s better than the competition and at a competitive price too

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

Many thanks.

[@hondacrx7829]

I just finished building the handrail on my deck kzbin.infoUgkxfQ5_mgwq6PcudJvAH25t-I4D-3cTPz4z and used this great little router to clean up the top rail before the final sanding and stain. It was light weight but packed lots of power. Either size battery didn't seem to make it top heavy and I'm a 64 yr old women so I really appreciated how easy it was to use...................... CORDLESS only way to go !!

[@jarvis7281]

Hinge jig wars……Robin left Skillbuilder when Dan came on the scene, go figure!!!

[@margaretkelly1910]

A irish carpenter the roofing square very good idea and well made but with the hinge jig we use rebated door frames but well designed your are a good one

[@rickygreenslade7399]

Fantastic piece of kit.. looks well thought out and id say thats well worth the money...

[@cglees]

Looks brilliant, I want one!! Pays for itself on the first job easily

[@didgejan]

Brilliant bit of kit mate. 👍

[@user-jr6xc8tp1w]

I’m an apprentice carpenter I’ve invested in the roofing square and it’s absolutely amazing makes life a hell of a lot easier will be investing in the hinge jig for sure wouldn’t of seen it without skill builder Channel cheers guys

[@SkillBuilder]

Good to know, the square is great and the hinge jig seems to be popular too. We need to get Dan thinking about other labour saving devices.

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

Thanks 🙏🏼. I’ll be thinking about other ideas now the hinge jig is out.

[@markhoulding1938]

Well thought out Dan Top of the class for that looks awesome pal.👍

[@karlmoore1292]

Beautiful bit of kit 😃

[@hi-tech55]

I have to throw away my ply jigs that work very well when hanging multiple doors. A bit of superglue and a bearing cutting works a treat. I am a bit of a dinosaur but appreciate the engineering and thought that has gone into this jig.

[@peterbeyer5755]

Interesting listening to two masters conversation about this jig.

[@LeeTillbury]

Brilliant Dan. Looks really good 👍🏻

[@jimrowland8310]

I’d 100% buy that over any MDF ones 👍👌👏👊🔥

[@Northumbrian-Today]

Very tidy Dan. Good luck with it 👍

[@OOOOOOOOSSHH]

Great collaboration Dan I will definitely be investing in one.

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

Thanks.

[@Bari_Khan_CEng_CMarEng]

Great video and lovely production value to the video, I like the background music!

[@jimmurphy4083]

Great job, well done.

[@vincentshield2467]

Bought this jig after buying dans essential roofing square , both fantastic bits of kit , extremely well made , you get what you pay for , only got one very small critique, do the grub screws up tight , they drop out if you don’t , but you get spare grub screws when you buy the jig , they have also added a 3 mm spacer for the head that comes with the jig , well done dan 👍

[@aarbee_]

looks like a good bit of kit especially for the mk1 version 😉 i think rodge is right with the grub screws though i know id loose them on day 1 🤣🤣 a toolless way of adjusting and connecting together would be great!

[@j444nsy4]

Great jig Dan well done mate I wish you all the best with sales. Can’t wait to see the next idea👍🏻

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

Thanks 🙌 Few smaller ideas in my head. 🤪

[@rockabillyrebeljim]

Looks so easy, great price too. Dan always inspires me to keep at it 👍

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

Thanks RBJ

[@self-preservationsociety7057]

Nice one lads , I’m glad I ‘ hung ‘ around to watch the video

[@brianhill1294]

Looks a lovely bit of kit, wish you all the best with your new jig.👍👍

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

Thank you.

[@Bite_Me]

I've been looking at hinge jigs for years, never really been happy enough with them, always something funny that you have to do to make them work. But this one is the first one that could actually get my money. Seems very flexible in the size of door, hinge position etc. Looks to be a very sturdy bit of kit, have been put off by some that look like you have to be very precious with and the other extreme where they end up being think and heavy. Best of all British made, something to be very proud of in its self let alone designing it. I much prefer the open style, I too have had kitchen jigs damaged, admittedly I did foolishly lend in to someone. I like the idea of the screw holes in the main frame an eailer commenter made. Great product sir, you deserve to be very successful with it. Just been looking on the website, will it be possible to buy the hinge blocks separately, i.e. I by the 3inch system and can later add the 4inch blocks

[@liamstokes3964]

Looks good lads. Always used a trend skeleton jig myself, but pros and cons to both I’d say

[@SingleTrack66]

It’s a winner Dan . If you can do it for £220 then I’m getting one. Anyone want to buy my Trend ?

[@lee2003uk]

Nice bit of kit👍👍

[@SkillBuilder]

Thanks 👍

[@DP-tb5qn]

Dan is alien, amazing. Well done mate

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

Thanks. 🙌🏻

[@stephenmccoy898]

And dan forgot to wish you good luck with it, 😜👍

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

Dan the man ! Another clever invention . I’d buy one if I was a carpenter mate 🤜🏻🤛🏻🧱

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

Thanks chaps. 🙏. 👊🏻

[@SkillBuilder]

You wait until you see his next invention, it lays bricks while you stay at home watching day time t.v

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

@@SkillBuilder🤫

[@1PIL]

Bricklayers, the only trade to p**s up against their work on site 🙄😁

[@daveinOZ]

Great work Dan! I purchased your ultimate roofing square last year, I love the quality of the product and so ive orded your hinge jig as well, cant wait to give it a go right here in Melbourne Australia.. thanks again.👍

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

Many thanks. 🙌

[@daveinOZ]

@@Ultimate-roofing-square. Dan many thanks received my jig in the mail today (Melbourne, Australia)

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

@@daveinOZ that’s great, thanks for buying one. 🙌🏻 Feel free to send us some photos of the hinge jig in action. Dan.

[@UniversalExports]

If i was a joiner I would buy one 👍😂.

[@SkillBuilder]

If I were a carpenter and you were a lady Would you marry me anyway and have my hinge jig?

[@stephenroberts9333]

Chisel, mallet, pure skill.

[@ackec-umsekkruch-ekucki952]

Guide bush all the way. You get much more stability and control and like they say, with guided bits it's really easy to hit the template.

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

Oh yes. More blade protection.. thanks for watching.

[@quelchie91]

Looks well made. I like the fact you can use it on smaller doors and nip the blocks up tight. I use the trend skeleton jig as its quick to set up. I find the blocks move sometimes if you push guide bush into it too hard, as they are only tightend finger tight. Not a fan of screwing the jig to frame though, no reason why you couldn't use bradawls still I guess. I think the way of adjusting the jig to the thickness of door is far better on the trends. There's pros and cons to all of them.

[@Hayseboy]

Very nice kit and to be fair thats not a bad price one full house of doors would pay for it. Keep up the outstanding work skill builder and Dan

[@SkillBuilder]

Thanks for your support and kind words. Price is a funny thing. Some people would rather buy cheap and keep replacing an item while others like to own nice things. The open aperture and guide bush means it is far less likely to be damaged by the cutter so it should last for years.

[@Harry-nc7zi]

Just got a price job on site, this will be ideal 👌

[@arpadvarga3475]

That's so cool. I should watch this 10 replaced door earlier 😂

[@robyndavis3043]

Very interesting

[@burwoodbuild]

Dan - when you finally got the finished product in your hands did you dance a little jig?! 🕺 😂

[@j444nsy4]

Hinge gig wars

[@CharlieGroh]

A Vix (or self centering) Bit would make your gig better. This jig looks good for new construction...

[@markhannan5167]

Looks a goods bit of kit that will last the test of time

[@statesidechippie]

This looks spot on. I’ve been using the Porter cable jig to set 8’ doors, it’s a headache to setup, you need to run bradawl pins in to the door and you have zero flexibility in the hinge locations. This looks like it checks all those boxes. Hoping you’ll ship the the US. Thanks Dan and Roger.

[@Martin37vg]

Hell of a bit of kit !!! But not better than the plywood ones we used to make in about 15 mins 45 years when ago fitting doors in the frames when building ships. 'Plus because the plywood was wider router was more stable . Plus when I do three hinges ( which personally I do not like ) l tend not to chop it in on the frame until I have had the door on in case I need to adjust depth position etc as If all three hinge pins are not in perfect alignment you will have issues.

[@raybrock6083]

Just ordered mine. I will be looking to see if I can drill through the extrusion to secure it to the door frame so that the screw holes end up behind the door stops when they are fitted.

[@Benchdogtools]

Great video guys. Well done and explained well. Btw we are in Somerset 😂

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

Opps… how many times have I visited you.. 😂

[@mikeswoodencreations5712]

😂😂😂

[@aninterviewwith...1702]

I'm terrible at doors but you've given me some ideas. Ta.

[@benvernalls6276]

I like this I currently have the trend and although its a good jig this seems better and more universal. I like Robins jig but it's not practical for a carpenter.

[@Crushwokery]

If only you brought this out 2 years ago I'd have jumped at it in a heartbeat. I had to settle for the trend skelly jig which in my opinion at the time was the best available. As I look after my gear I doubt I'll need to buy another unless sticky fingers decide to liberate it. Just wanted to blow smoke up your a**e as you done a great job with it. Good luck with it 😉👍🍻

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

Many thanks.

[@plumpii7177]

Looks a quality jig.. 😎 hope it sell like bacon butties outside a well known builders merchant..

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

😂. Thanks.

[@moggs20]

Nice looking bit of kit, I suppose after the first set up you would get the hang of it quick enough

[@smartbuildengineering]

Looks great - for using with a bearing guided bit I wonder if you could swap the block positions so you're referencing against the ends without the nib? I guess you would still need to compensate for the 2mm offset on hinge width. hinge.

[@boogie11188]

Looks like a good bit of kit, and my experience with benchdogs is they do great quality products. however, I have used many different hinge jigs over the years, and have found it hard to beat my one piece trend hinge jig, but I only tend to hang standard size doors. advantage of this jig is you can add more sections if you have larger doors to hang, just one problem, looking at the size of section that fits on door lining, doesn't look like it would fit a rebated door frame, the trend works well on rebated frames or if door stops on

[@sundayfooty]

Please make a jig for latch and locks aswell

[@mariusdilligaf7547]

At least someone don't use the hinge drill bit❤

[@FPL-LARD]

I don't hang doors anymore I pass them on as I've had my days lugging doors about, but if I was hanging doors on a daily basis this tool would be in my kit. Quality written all over it, and once you have fiddled about and got used to setting that up it would be a breeze.

[@mphalo1804]

What do you do now? Thats less labour intensive.

[@kennyg5693]

Have the roofing square just ordered the hinge jig I’ll have to stop watching Skill Builder it’s getting expensive 😂

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

Thanks.

[@nZebco]

This is a good looking tool. Ive got the Trend skeleton jig, the big one and I havent use it for the past 3 years because most doors have the hinges atached already. I used to fit 400-500 fire doors a month few years back, not anymore. Good video. Thanks for the free entertainment:)

[@kieranfinnerty631]

That’s 20 to 25 doors a day on a 5 day week 🤔

[@nZebco]

@@kieranfinnerty631 Correct! But I was a team of two. Didn't said alone🤪. We used to prepare and had labourers to move the doors to each floor/room, then me and my coleague did the install. Also we did mostly 6 days a week when I was money hungry😉

[@SkillBuilder]

@@nZebco I know a carpenter Andy Foster who used to fit fire doors in London all day, every day. The doors were propped up in the hallways in hotels and flats and he would start at one end and wheel his rig down the corridor with the router and jig ready to go in the bottom. If you organise it properly two of you can do those kind of number but, like you said, it is all about the money. It would do your head in soon enough.

[@nZebco]

@@SkillBuilder I did the exact same thing🤪. two carpenter and two labouresrs, we never carried a door, they never fitted one, very precise work.

[@nZebco]

@@SkillBuilder I have photos of doors proped and alligned like domino pieces in massive open spaces like future shopping centers. Literally walking in with a hammer, pencil,corner chisel, makita portable router and trend skeleton jig. One person was routing, one was finishing, the guys behind carry the doors in the designated rooms.WEhen all prep done, plumb one side of the all the door openings, fit the doors, trims etc.. literally the success of this is the fact that you move with only tool belt around you and obviously no dead times. Been only money driven to do that as I had no pleasure in doing repetitive jobs. No more:)

[@vinnyrea5608]

Like the jig alot. but as roger mentioned about the grub screws, cant you change them to T20 0R T 25 screws. I feel these would be much better and a lot more harder wearing than allen key screws. As you know they never last. a few times of nipping up and loosening they are gonna round off inside. Torx threads are far more harder wearing because theres mor points of contact. Other than that, lovely bit of kit dan👍

[@wotnoturbo]

Nice bit of kit, no tools or grub screws would be better & include all the optional stuff in the kit, being short of bits & pieces after you've bought something is frustrating, comes into it's own for accuracy & repeatability, good luck with it Dan.

[@trevdale7967]

Help me out here. How does it attach to a rebated door jamb? Brilliantly put together

[@craigthornhill2373]

How does it work in door casings with rebate already there instead of lining.. .?.. looks good quality been using a trend one for years and like the idea of no holes in the door so this could be the one .. hopefully this can be done 👍👍

[@JohnARoake]

Hinge manufacturers should offer all available sizes with a fixed radius to the 4 corners. This will cancel the need to cut the corners into the routed recess. John

[@johnastbury4116]

I really like the look of this and I think I'll be investing in the kit very soon. just a quick question how thick was the liner that you demonstrated the jig on ?

[@briantrueman3505]

Good luck with the tool Dan it looks like a really well made piece of kit 🔧🔧👍👍

[@rickyjackson4633]

All looks good but will those blocks move over time when your packing and unpacking

[@benalexlily]

One big question see with the clamp witch I do like but what happens when you ave to cut the hinge out on the other side of the door do that have to be taken off and then put back on to then clamp back on to the door

[@brianp7022]

£220? Seems very reasonable to me if you have loads of doors to hang it would pay for itself in days

[@jamesdoughty8211]

Why can’t you screw the jig to the frame by the sliding rail and not the blocks, wouldn’t that place the crew holes where the door stops go and therefore negate any damage to the frame?

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

Hi James, It could be screwed through the extrusion however there is channels in it so the hole would be in the channel. Thanks for watching.

[@ujd2930]

this jig looks good ! i use the trend jig and it drives me mad . i have to put an additional screws through the jig to the frame because the jig doesn't sit flat enough to the frame even with the little awls . also, you were asked about how it attached to the frame . couldn't you screw it through the little silver sliding adjustments to the frame ( 15.05 mins ) ? that way the trim would cover any holes ....just a thought ! anyway product looks good , well designed !!

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

Thanks for your comments, and yes that could be a option to fix it to a finished frame.

[@SkillBuilder]

eugene That is a great idea

[@stephenmccoy898]

The only thing i would say that having to adjust the clamps or flush plates to use on the frame would irk me, but its a great piece of kit all the same, and im a fan of dans,, i have his roofing square which is brilliant

[@SkillBuilder]

Hi Stephen Moving that jig from door to frame is nowhere near as hard as you might imagine.

[@stephenmccoy898]

@@SkillBuilder not hard no not at all,,

[@imranbashiruk]

How about a comparison between this and the new Trend hinge jig

[@SJWardBuilders]

👌

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

🙌🏻

[@michael.schuler]

Quality build is obvious here. Suggestion from a potential pro user: Better to eliminate use of allen key for securing templates to spine by providing small diameter clamping knobs or a Bondhus driver.

[@SkillBuilder]

It has been done. The updated version has knobs on

[@michael.schuler]

@@SkillBuilder Sounds good. Can we buy from here in USA?

[@VinceSamios]

I've used and made a few jigs - I feel like this is great for repeat work, but not super flexible.

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

I think it’s very flexible, can do doors with 3 or 4 inch hinges. Height wise it will do from approximately 600 to what ever height you want. I’d guess 3 meters would be rather tall. It clamps to a finished door and will be able to do rebated frames.

[@manxvibes32]

Great piece of kit, I do same thing with the drill bit too, those centre bits are a pain....will look forward to seeing the demo on the rebated frames

[@gingerelvis]

I've got to ask, where are you getting solid pine doors from? I had a look recently and even the ones from XL were engineered with veneer. I ended up doing a lot of work to some reclaimed doors (made them bigger and square with some ripped down timber from of s similar age and dowels) because I couldn't find anything that came close in quality to the old Victorian stuff. The jig is very clever and well made as you would expect from Benchdogs, I'm only a DIY renovator pleb so I'll stick to the chisels for now 😂doesn't take me too long to hand a couple of doors.

[@JamesSmith-cp9jd]

Dan I love your very very hard work but I'm on price work pal. Time I've set this up I could have done a second fix. Love You Pal 😊

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

😂. It’s literally a minute or less to set up. 😍

[@majl1000]

The nib is from the newer trend hinge jig

[@muppit666]

Ouch! Just had a look and it’s now £277 for the 4” hinge one and another £189 for the blocks for 3” hinges. Thanks but no thanks. Was going to get one bit way overpriced. Looks like I’ll be getting the Trend skeleton jig. 😬

[@user-ex4gj3jh3c]

Looks like a nice jig but not convinced how well it will work on rebated frames . Most of my frames are rebated .

[@Ultimate-roofing-square.]

We will have pack out block soon for rebated frames.

[@mrdavrosjipo]

its missing a lock jig and you could have a second straight edge with spacers on the opposite side of the blue blocks to make your euro grove. these are the type of jigs i need to make and know that i and the company's i work for would be happy to buy

[@georgelfc1]

Looks great guys but I have to ask why didn't you do away with the knib and just use a bearing bit making an exact mortice and their would have been no need for guide bush either !!! Would be great to see what others think

[@SkillBuilder]

George That was explained in the bit where we talked about the bearing bit.

[@georgelfc1]

Thanks 👍🏼