I typically use a router and a template to cut mortises or to enlarge existing mortises for new door hinges. But for small jobs where it doesn’t make sense to cart along a lot of gear, I use a utility knife and a chisel for the same purpose. First I screw the hinge to the door stile in the desired position. Then I score around the edges of the hinge with the knife as shown in the drawing above. With the hinge removed, I chisel the mortise to the thickness of the hinge. Now I can reattach the hinge using the same screw holes.
Daniel E. Hill, Ill, Griswold, CT
![](https://images.finehomebuilding.com/app/uploads/2016/04/09184932/Chiseling_hinge_mortises.jpg)
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