How To Mortise Hinges (and other hardware) By Hand

[@IBuildIt]

More in the website article: ibuildit.ca/tips/cutting-mortises-by-hand/ How to make your chisels RAZOR sharp: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2nGq4WDfqabmpo You can help support the work I do in making these videos: Project plans for sale: ibuildit.ca/plans/ Support this channel on Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=865843&ty=h #ibuildit #tipsandtricks My main channel: kzbin.info My home reno channel: kzbin.info My "Scrap bin" channel: kzbin.info Website: ibuildit.ca/ Facebook: facebook.com/I-Build-It-258048014240900/ Instagram: instagram.com/i_build_it.ca/

[@russellcox5129]

I have done it many times by hand, but have done a lot of doors and jambs to make a jig then use a router a straight 1x will work

[@russellcox5129]

They use to make a marker for various hinge butts that you tapped with a hammer to outline the hinge chisel line and a chisel for round and square corners

[@somanaraine7815]

Too much time waisted

[@nevermind2886]

I know nothing about wood working and was able to fix a door using your video. Thank you, good sir.

[@edover50]

I think this is the best tutorial on setting hinges by hand I’ve seen. Extremely well done John!

[@crazypawn1511]

Sir, the hinge has a happy life in that door. Excellent job!

[@mrfaffley4479]

The best 12 minutes of instructional woodworking I have watched for a while. I really did not want this video to end and I'll be re-watching it a few more times to commit it to memory. The tips about chisel work and not marking to the corners are invaluable.

[@mkbcoolman]

John, I've just a hobby novice guy, but your videos specifically have taught me so much about chisel work. I keep mine razor sharp, and they've actually become some of my most used tools. For me, there's just something that's so satisfying working with chisels. I used to be intimidated by them, but now I love them. Thank you.

[@EdHammerbeck]

I did it! I mortised a new closet door and I was successful. I went slowly, taking off small bits of material at a time. Thank you for the instructions.

[@Renrondog]

Excellent Tip at 1:58 to pre-cut the outside edge to prevent blow / chip out. I'm a professional finish carpenter and have hand set $5000 doors using the exact same methods you show. Works like a champ, take your time and go slow, it won't matter next week how long it took only if it's accurate. Thanks John!

[@jeffreypumfrey476]

Almost bought a rotary tool thinking this task would be difficult with chisels. Thanks to the techniques used in your demonstration, I got a flush, inset shallow mortice and saved a couple of hundred dollars.

[@robinfisher4990]

As always.... a wealth of information. The advent of pre-hung doors has almost completely eliminated the craftsmanship required to hang a door. I would encourage anyone who watches John's well produced videos to buy his well done plans. Cheers.

[@joes2318]

Robin Fisher depends on what kind of building you do. I’ve been a carpenter for just over 7 years now and never installed a pre hung door. Probably more common in volume built housing.

[@emilyaustin7975]

I appreciate that he lets me know when to feel shame :)

[@skygh]

My job is installing doors, locks and hardware in high end houses so I do this daily and everything in this video is spot on. Ragged edges are simply not allowed. The relief cuts are super important particularly when working on already painted doors to avoid chips where it should be done on 4 sides. I carry two size Vix-Bits in my belt which I send home and only rarely do they clog which can be cured by dropping on the floor. Really. Try it. While I most often use router templates bought or made I have a lot of hand work to do too. I use a standard utility knife and by tilting it can control the space left next to the item to be mortised from too tight to dang it. Look at the the angle on the tip of the blade and this should make sense. Excellent video!

[@russellcox5129]

I use to use a kwick set jig for drilling back sets for lock sets then would drill the striker plate hole and the template for striker plates , but most jobs are millworker today, the deal is sharp tools are a must!

[@davorinrusevljan6440]

It is great that you explain why you are using particular tool, and why you are doing it in that and not in some other way

[@jakematic]

For something I've done mannnny thousands of times, this was still the most enjoyable 12 minutes I've spent watching a video in ages. Beginners take note of the angle John uses the chisel at - it matters.

[@Yonatan24]

Very satisfying indeed!

[@Marcoosianism]

This has to be THE best video on YT on chiselling mortise hinges. Very sound technique and advice. Appreciate also showing when mortise does not go to the edges. Will be making a zero clearance plate for my table saw based on your vid of that too. Thanks.

[@plainwlkr8]

Guys, this is it. This is the video to watch. Great detail and precision. Every step he executes takes into account a professional end product. If you don't know what your doing and mortise 3 hinges in an hour after watching this video and can have an end product close to that, I'd consider that a win. $12 set of chisels, hammer, pencil and razor to have a professional result.

[@brainfornothing]

Good tips ! And I must add : This video "feels" different, like more elegant and crisp and you looks great ! Thanks for sharing !

[@mz5388]

doing my pre-app and the way the teacher demonstrated this was about half as efficient as this, definitely going to give this a shot

[@Kkuts37]

There are more useful tips in this 12:05 minutes, than many that are twice that length. Thank you, Mr. H!!! :)

[@tarashelton2470]

Instead of waiting months for my cabinetmaker husband to get around to mortising a new slab door for my bedroom project, I watched your perfect video. Now I can be self-sufficient like I prefer, instead of waiting forever for his benevolence. Thanks you so much for your masterful instruction!🙏

[@kennikuhlmann-clark9860]

* Excellent instructional video; clear, concise, and devoid of annoying music or corny over-acting..... Scenes are fully and evenly lit, and choices of angles are well-done.

[@RobWhittlestone]

Lovely to watch. Very therapeutic. Exactly how I learnt to do this 50 years ago in England. Now I live in Switzerland where modern door frames are metal and hinges not subtly hidden but visible, mechanical and ugly. The technique is still useful for cabinet work though. All the best, Rob

[@alflud]

"The shame comes when you do a really raggedy job" - If only everyone felt shame after doing sloppy work .... if only. I used to work in the telecoms industry as a cable jointer and I got paired with one of the best guys I could have ever hoped for. He did excellent work and so did I. We were both each proud of our own work and genuinely impressed with each other's as well. Being free to praise each other's work meant that we were free to condemn it too, call it 'sloppy' if it was, and neither of us ever wanted to give the other a chance to do that. It was friendly and _healthy_ competition and wholly based upon a mutual disgust for sloppy work. And it's the lack of shame that's the most disgusting thing of all. Some folk just don't give a shit and have no shame.

[@IBuildIt]

Competition, pride of workmanship and individual achievement all drive successful production. It's when you are told that you are doing the job too well that you tend to start doing less. We need to care about the quality of the work we do to get fulfillment from it - a sense of purpose.

[@KipdoesStuff]

Very true. I used to build chiropractic tables for a while. I made them all 'exact' copies of one another. All were 100% quality. Then when a complaint came in I could say, 'No way is that my table, look at that wire, I never do it that way'.

[@peterstevens6555]

Kia Ora & Good Morning from North Shore, Auckland, New Zealand …great video bro …

[@garrygiordano4059]

I really enjoyed the fine points you demonstrate here. I have this video in my library to replay when I do this type of work. Here a man with cabinet making grade skills demonstrates how to get superior results mortising hinges if done by hand.

[@JamesBiggar]

Almost exactly how I was taught in my apprenticeship. I was never allowed to use a router and template. Don't think I've ever used a router for mortising door hardware, actually. Probably should have at times lol. Simple work like this helps a person hone their chisel skills though.

[@IBuildIt]

When I first started in the commercial door and hardware installation specialty, all of the doors would come raw - just slabs with no prep. We'd have to bevel the edges, prep for the hinges and cut for the locks, which were usually mortise locks. Doing 200 of those makes you appreciate the machines, but you'd still occasionally have to do something by hand.

[@unnikrishnanunnikrishnanc4272]

Fucking videos

[@billadmond9450]

These tips are useful for home DIY because they are common for everyone else also even for students.

[@wolfgollnitz899]

I must say John, I really enjoy your “Tips&Tricks” direction you took with this channel of yours. Short and Sharp an down to the point. Just keep them coming!

[@AndrewMorgan666]

This has helped me out a great deal, particularly the placing of the hardware, drilling the centre hole of the hinge giving me more freedom to use the marking knife, another thing I have never done before is using the marking knife so much, particularly chipping out the left and right edge before slicing that aris off to avoid that serrated edge, this excercise was a complete education, thank you so much as this has left me far more confident to tackle this without the aid of a palm router.

[@JimDockrellWatertone]

It shows that you've put up more than a couple of doors in your life. Good tips and techniques.

[@khalilahmed5839]

That’s how to work by hand, these days you can buy hand cutters for guys who can’t trust themselves or try and make it faster. Perfect work mate, that’s how I was trained years ago.

[@veganschmegan]

I am so glad I accidentally found this video. You covered everything I needed. Thanks!

[@US36477]

Absolutely excellent video. I love the technique and your way of explaining this. Thank you.

[@danielk8926]

Excellent demo from start to finish.

[@jasonm519]

Thank you for sharing! After watching your video I have decided to hang closet doors myself instead of hiring a contractor to do it.

[@wrnchhead76]

Amazing amount of chisel experience displayed here.

[@CitizenAyellowblue]

A clear,and concise video. Thanks John.

[@sapelesteve]

Great instructional video John! Although I have done this in the past, I still learned something from your demonstration. Thanks............

[@brianmiller9365]

One of your best vids, for many reasons. Thanks.

[@MandoFettOG]

In about two weeks I have learned some great tips from this channel.. ty

[@paulmunro3050]

Can tell you've fitted a few doors over the years!

[@dienekes4364]

I just replaced all the doors in my house along with the door jams (doing a full rehab, the previous owners had a dog/dogs that tore up all the door frames). The first couple of doors didn't go very well, but by the time I got done, they didn't look too bad. I REALLY need to build a sharpener for my chisels. They are all pretty beat up. Once I move, I'm going to find a property with a shop or a place for me to build a shop and I'm going to start building all the jigs I need to refine my woodworking skills, with the chisel sharpener being one of the first.

[@drockjr]

Your permanent calculator mount is wonderful

[@simongreavett6410]

"The Shame Comes" ha ha, nice video. You have a great manner about you, relaxed and informative. Great teacher. Great video, Thanks

[@davidmoore94]

Good tips regarding the initial relief cuts and guide impressions made with the chisel and not a blade.

[@ejtakach]

When you flip around that board I'm imagining a full-size door. good upper body workout!

[@marceaton3128]

John, your videos are great. I learn something new every time, with your skill and knowledge you should be an instructor in a trade school. Hand tools are becoming a lost art. I watched my Grandfather work in his shop using nothing but hand tools. He just wasn't patient enough to teach. Thanks for sharing.

[@adamandlorraine]

Good tip about cutting the relief in the short side of the ball catch mortice. I'd always been annoyed that my line would get spread out when I whacked the chisel in. I'll do it that way next time.

[@negotiableaffections]

Well John, after your vlog about experience and years in the business - that looked like magic - I've seen subcontractors work [UK] where I'm not sure they know their chisel is supposed to be sharp.....

[@lewisworkshop]

Great video. Basics are key to being a Craftsman!

[@thelastgs-pian9965]

Great tutorial, feels like watching a Tai Chi grandmaster in full flow.

[@theothermarshal]

Excellent handling of this task & I appreciate you sharing tips like this. Thanks!

[@Butterball3588]

Very informative video on chiseling for those hinges! Got a door I have to redo as the previous owner did a "raggedy job"...cut too narrow and it doesn't latch at all. Well done.

[@Jeremiah.1]

Excelente video great easy way to work on the hinges door

[@Apollo_Blaze]

Wow, you have great skills with a chisel, such clean work...and I had never heard about using cardboard for a mortise that is a bit too deep. This is a great video...Thanks for making it.

[@joeobrien196]

Another quality demonstration sir.

[@BridgettHickory]

Thank you! So clear and was able to get the job done on an old solid wood door I had to cut down a bit in width. Hinges fit flush and door hung correctly.

[@annshaw6426]

What superb work. Lovely to watch. Thank you.

[@Rokits-realm]

excellent video. I'll be getting my chisels tomorrow and hanging my custom built door. I just wish I would have used chisels on my door instead of a router and planer. I have a 3 1/2 inch thick door and needed to cut down to 2 3/4 to fit the door handle on. thanks again for the great video.

[@jonpardue]

Great video! There is at least one trick - and probably more - you never knew your tools could do in here. This guy is about not only saving you time, but doing a better job that is more satisfying & efficient. His chisel sharpening jig and sandpaper rig pay off immediately. How hard is it to find someone this skilled, that boosts your craftsmanship on the job?

[@SeanBZA]

Done the cardboard trick a good number of times, especially when replacing old worn out hinges that are thicker than the replacement. Worn hinge you can double the lift just by turning around so the unworn bearing face is going to take the load, though often the pin is loose as well, so replacement time instead. Love Forstner bits as well, makes putting in mortise locks so much easier over the old method of drilling multiple holes and cutting them together, now just drill around the template and saw it to shape with the drill bit.

[@mountainviews5025]

My friend love your videos your channels and your ability for everything and on the shimm thing I'm in the buildings of 5 / 10/ 25 million dollar homes and I can't use cardboard shimms I use some kind of laminate depending on the size I'll tell you my favourite is the countertop lamm works extremely well and when a home is done 250 years later my shimm is still perfect lol thumbs up my friend

[@Benwinch07]

Paul Sellers would approve😊

[@82camino96]

Great tips and advice John. Appreciate the video.

[@atillanoname.9921]

Nice stuff, I am an English Joiner, Carpenter ( 55 years young)you are showing the true stuff here. I now work in Germany and they don't know how to do it by hand here, it's always machined in, they don't really teach this technique here, however if you Become a Meister Handwerker which costs you personally 25,000 € after your Aprentership for the certificate, and they still don't know how to set a Hinge but they are allowed to teach people. Officially Here in Germany I am not allowed to be self employed as a Carpenter because I am not a Meister. Officially if I do want to be self employed I can fix wood to walls but I am not allowed to fix wood to ceilings and am not allowed to say I am a Carpenter even though I am a Carpenter for 35 years with a full English Aprentership . If I was to give out Business cards I can only say Floor layer or Handworker on them to advertise me. Such is life in the Fatherland.

[@chillbill3834]

Great video! Appreciate how you thoroughly explain the process

[@GKChandlerBooks]

Thank you. Very instructive. I’ve always felt apprehensive about this sort of task. Now I feel I can tackle it. Love the cardboard tip.

[@mrreymundo5383]

Where I work, 5/8 radius hinges are most common. This technique is good, but I would have liked to see you do a radius corner.

[@markwhitton8785]

Really like this approach

[@scottlouis7785]

Another good one. I do similar to you and do it without thinking so this reminds me why to do it

[@geraldswain3259]

Excellent tutorial video ,I notice shaving sharp chisel is everything.

[@Afraithe]

Nice video, good basic tips and well put together.

[@user-lf7en6rf8m]

This is so cool, thank you, i love using hands and / tool when possible, fantastic im going to practice, thank you

[@hilohaw]

I've done this quite a few times, but I learned some fine techniques, watching this video. Well done and well presented!

[@donaldpowell7762]

Thank you for doing these tip videos. I appreciate you.

[@user-lf7en6rf8m]

Thank you. Subscribed and yes i would really like to use my hands and chisel to mortis its always helpful to reach out and get tips, thank you

[@joshuamatheron1]

I generally keep the hinge a smidge proud. I find cutting them flush means they end up slightly low once tightening the screws. Nice video.

[@rickfletcher8389]

Great video as always and a craftsman at work

[@guidogt9878]

Nice and interesting. Now I know what to stay away from, to avoid shame :) Thanks!

[@marshallmurrell4583]

Good demonstration. Thanks, John.

[@MrMarsBlades]

now i know why i get such shameful ragged cut outs, nice little tutorial john, cheers

[@KipdoesStuff]

I admit, I've never been good with chisels. I have cut a few mortises in doors but luckily they were just my shop doors, lol. Great tip John.

[@glenferris3071]

Absolute beaut result John.

[@dsquires16]

Great instructions video.

[@Morning_Rays]

Very good explanation. Thanks

[@MarkWieske]

I have a door slab that is standard 1 3/8" thick, and my hinges' leafs are 1 1/2" wide (not including the knuckles). So if I line up the hinge like in 0:38, they would go too far over the edge. Did I buy the wrong hinges? Thanks!

[@markrowland5393]

Great video, thanks. I wish I'd seen it before I just fitted a whole bunch of hinges, locks and catches to new doors in my house. I've done an ok job but I think I would have done it better if I'd seen this video.

[@victor9501]

Wow, nice vice on your bench!

[@designtime3469]

Nice workshop!

[@mhpjii]

John, this could very well be your next 100,000-views video (or more)! Simple excellence.

[@mtaylor7092]

This tutorial was great, thanks very much :)

[@jasonpalmer9132]

Great knowledge! Thx for sharing!

[@duplicitouskendoll9402]

Very helpful for a DIY-er mate. Cheers!

[@doak4886]

Excellent.

[@robedwards2830]

Really clear video and instructions. Thank you!

[@fiouable]

Excellent method. Very helpful. Thank you very much.

[@JL-qo7cs]

Very well explained. Very sharp chisels. Very professional. I'm subscribing.

[@cwnolimits]

Awesome video! Can you make a video on using a router to cut out hinges

[@WorkingWood]

I actually hesitated to watch this thinking "I know how to mortise a hinge by hand" and then within seconds you show screwing the hinge on and drilling holes before marking out. Something I've never done, it makes perfect sense, and is the only way I will do it next time.

[@IBuildIt]

He who hesitates is lost! :)

[@WastedElephant]

I thought I knew how to mortise a hinge my hand until I tried one and realized it was crap. Hahaha

[@huejanus5505]

Great tips. The problem i see most on sites is people trying to hog out too much wood at one time. Trying to save time usually costs you more time. Edit: i usually put two screws in a hinge before marking it, better than an oops.