Chisel Door Frame

Knowing how to cut a mortise is essential for installing a deadbolt lock.

Chisel door frame.

You ll need to cut a mortise a small shallow recess in the wood of the door and doorjamb for the latchbolt and strike plate to rest. This is the traditional method of cutting door hinge slots and takes a. Fortunately cutting out this mortise isn t nearly as difficult as it sounds. Score around the plate with a sharp utility knife.

Keep tapping until the groove is the same depth as your door hinge then repeat the process until you ve carved around the entire perimeter of the mortise spot. Using a sharp 1 inch wide chisel cut a series of parallel lines into the jamb about 1 4 inch apart staying within the scored lines and holding the chisel perpendicular to the wood. Then gently tap the back end of the chisel with a hammer or mallet pushing it into the door. Example of how to use a bevel edged chisel to create hinge slots on a beech wood door.

Place the edge of a sharp chisel into any of the mortise outline grooves. Cutting a door hinge mortise with a chisel.