If you’re looking to cut hinges in a door, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to do it quickly and easily.
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Materials
To cut hinges in a door, you will need a door, a pencil, a measuring tape, a drill, a spade bit, a saw, and a chisel.
Hinges
In order to cut the hinges, you will need the following materials:
-Tape measure
-Pencil
-Utility knife
-High speed steel (HSS) drill bit
-Hole saw
-Pole sander
-120 grit sandpaper
-Stiles and rails (optional)
Door
-Locate the door within the opening, and use a level to check that it is plumb (vertical) and level ( Horizontal).If necessary, shim the bottom of the door with wood blocks or metal shims until it is level and plumb.
-Measure the door thickness. Most doors are 1-3/8 inches to 1-3/4 inches thick. Some doors, such as fire doors, may be as much as 2-1/2 inches thick
-On a side view of the door, mark where you want the hinge to be placed. The top hinge should be placed about one-third of the way down from the top of the door, and the bottom hinge should be placed about one-third of the way up from the bottom of the door. Center each hinge horizontally on the door
Use a drill bit slightly smaller than the diameter of your hinges to drill pilot holes for each hinge.
Position each hinge on its pilot hole and use screws that are long enough to penetrate both the door and frame to secure it in place
Jigsaw
A jigsaw is a handheld power tool used to make intricate cuts in a variety of materials, including wood, metal, laminate and plastic. Jigsaws can be used to create both straight and curved cuts, making them an extremely versatile tool for a wide range of projects.
Most jigsaws have a variable speed control that allows the user to adjust the speed of the blade according to the material being cut. For example, when cutting softer woods, a slower speed setting will produce cleaner results. Conversely, when cutting harder materials such as metals, a higher speed setting is usually required.
In terms of blades, there are two basic types of jigsaw blades – t-shank and u-shank. T-shank blades are the most common and can be used with all types of jigsaws. U-shank blades, on the other hand, are only compatible with certain types of jigsaws. Be sure to check your saw’s manufacturer guide to determine which type of blade you need.
Drill
You will need a drill to make the holes for the new hinge screws. A power drill will make the job go faster, but you can also use a hand drill. If using a power drill, be sure to use a bit that is appropriate for the type of screw you are using. For most hinges, a 1/8-inch or 3/32-inch bit will suffice.
Steps
Whether you’re installing a new door or replacing an old one, you’ll need to cut the door hinges to the proper size. Doing this is a simple process, but there are a few things you’ll need to know before you get started. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of cutting door hinges.
Remove door from hinges
1.Look at the top and bottom of your door to find the screws that hold the hinge to the door jamb. In most cases, there will be two screws at the top and two at the bottom of each hinge.
2.Remove these screws with a screwdriver, being careful not to strip them. If they are particularly stuck, you may need to use a power drill.
3.Once the screws have been removed, tap on the hinge with a rubber mallet or hammer to loosen it from the door jamb. The door should pop off easily. If it does not, look for additional screws that may be holding it in place.
Measure and mark where you will need to cut
1. Measure the door to determine where you will need to make your cuts.
2. If the door is not already hung, place it in the rough opening so that it is level and plumb.
3. Use a pencil to mark the location of the hinge on both the door and the jamb.
4. Remove the door from the opening and place it on a work surface.
Drill a starter hole
Start by drilling a hole in the door with a 1/8-inch drill bit. The hole should be big enough for the saw blade to fit through easily. Choose a spot near the edge of the door and make sure that the hole is level. If the door is too thick for the drill bit to go all the way through, stop drilling when the bit is about halfway through the door.
Insert jigsaw blade into hole and cut along the line
Start the jigsaw and insert the blade into the hole you drilled at the top of the door. Cut along the line, making sure to stay as close to the edge as possible. If you need to, you can use a chisel to get rid of any excess material.
Repeat for all hinges
Repeat the process for all of the hinges on the door. Once you have cut all of the hinges, you can remove the door from the frame.
Reattach door to hinges
1. Open the door and remove any screws or plugs that are holding it in place on the hinge.
2. Using a tape measure, note the distance from the top of the door to the center of the hinge. Write this measurement down, as you will need it later.
3. Close the door and hold it in place on the hinge with one hand. With your other hand, use a pencil to mark where you will need to cut out a section of door for the hinge.
4. Remove the door and use a jigsaw to cut out the section you marked earlier.
5. Reattach the door to hinges, using screws or plugs, and then open and close the door to make sure it is attached properly.
