Hinge and lock jigs

[GMM]

I'm just about to get down to fitting a few doors, so it seems sensible to get set up with the right router jigs, so I end up with a decent job of them all (and it's easier!).

Looking at the possibilities available, there's quite a range of types and prices. I'm sure there must be benefits in shelling out a couple of hundred quid for a Trend set up but I'm not taking up door fitting as a profession (!) and I've also heard of people simply making their own from mdf. Since I've never used one, I've no idea what the key features would be.

So What does the committee think? - shell out for an expensive one, get a cheapo (e.g. Toolstation's), bodge a home made one?

Of course, I could just use and angle grinder......

[dom]

I made my own to fit 10 internal doors and frames.

I chose to use lift-off hinges like these:

have the great advantage that the whole cut-out can be done with a 25mm bit, no corners to trim.

This my trim router - square base very useful for guiding around templates:

The jig itself is nothing more than a very flat and true piece of timer slightly longer than the door and about 200mm wide, with another timber screwed screwed down the centreline to make a t-cross-section to (provide clamping points against the face of the door). Then rectangular cutouts to guide the router for hinges, locks and strikers.

Cutouts are both sides for left and right hung doors, and a re- positionable end stop for door and frames (i.e. hinges sit slightly higher on the frames).

Like anything, knock up something simple to cut a first hinge recess in scrap material - then make a proper jig, practice again, then start hacking into your doors.

I also found a jig to accurately bore out the lock tubes was useful.

[GMM]

Thanks - it's useful to know I'm not missing anything if a useful jig can be made. I was thinking of using something like ply or mdf for the 'template' part, screwed to a timber that can be clamped to the door. Not sure I've quite worked out how that can be used on the frame but I'm sure it will become clear once I get something on the go. I must admit I'm a little surprised there hasn't been a string of posts telling me that it's impossible to hang a door without 200 quids' worth of jig, whereupon I suspect I would end up sharpening the chisels again (like it used to be done).

[John Rumm]

Well hinges are easy - especially if you have a small light weight router. You can either make up a quick jig from MDF or whatever, or simply mark out your hinge rebate and use freehand with a small straight fluted cutter.

Locks, will depend much on the type of lock you need to fit. Many can be fitted with nothing more than a spade or auger bit, and then a chisel or the router again to finish off the faceplate rebate.

[GMM]

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That's sort of what I thought - At least normally I spend ages hacking away to fit a lock, whereas I can bugger up a hinge in no time! I've always made the main recess for a lock by drilling and chiselling. Takes forever, mostly because I try to get it as close to the right size as possible (and it's easier to make it small then gradually increase it than to make it too big and try to put some back).

I was thinking a router might at least make a decent job of the faceplate if I had the right jig, though that might need to be made for the specific lock. Somehow it's always at that stage that the chisel slips and I feel compelled to swear the house down.......