Hanging closet doors - Mortise hinges

Can I do this with a regular cordless drill? What would I need?

I know I can get a cheap router and get the job done pretty quickly. I'm trying to save a couple bucks.

I also know I could do it with chisels. Just trying to do it the easiest way possible and still do a respectable job.

Thanks.

 

They make mortising bits for drill presses, but I'm not sure how you would pull it off with a cordless drill (I'm sure there are ways others here know about).

I usually chisel mine, but then again, time usually isn't an issue, and I see that's the reason you're asking. If you score the outline of the hinge cut with a utility knife before chiseling, it's pretty quick, and leaves pretty clean lines, too.

Then again, I'm no expert.

 

Heck, I'm no expert either (naturally - since I asked!...lol).

I've got the old doors (hardware still attached). My plan is to clamp them together (aligning the tops - new to old door) and using a speed square to mark the hing locations. I'll measure the old hinges to see how far "in" to make that line. I can then take the old hinges off and measure depth and also simply trace an outline for the new hinge locations.

That's where it get a bit more fuzzy!...lol

 

When I built my shed, I borrowed a friend's router to mortise my doors. I started out chiseling but I had six hinges to do so I borrowed the router. It went fairly quickly and looked better than a chisel job. Well, looked better than my chiseling job. :D

 

You're my hero (No, really!...lol)

That's likely what I'll do. I only have 6, as well.

 

Only because I'm a perfectionist (or try to be)....I was unhappy with the corners or the mortised hinge locations. They were round due to the router bit so more wood was mortised than needed. I don't think there is anyway around that though. If there is, I hope someone would enlighten me. Good luck!

Edit: You wouldn't encounter the rounded corners with chiseling. But really...It wasn't that big of a deal.

 

My hinges are rounded!

 

Problem solved! That was easy.

 

I decided to use the chisels. I've got a nice set of chisels I've barely used....and they made it easy. It was a LOT easier than I expected. I was just a tad intimidated.

 

Just score the corners with a knife and chisel out what the router bit leaves.

 

I think it would have been easier with non-rounded corners. Still, it was way easier than I thought - just using the chisels.

 

Sorry I caught this late Jeff... Just for future reference I have the router tool for my Dremel and it works extremely well for that application.

 

I have a dremel, Dubs. I thought of it too late! Thanks, though.

I have a little bit of work to do, yet (fine tuning). I'll finish up in the AM.