Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
NOTE
: Before cutting the door stiles, check that the floor is level at the positions that
the base of the door jamb stiles will be sited. If there is a variance you are to
add
the
measured variance to the length of the relevant door jamb stile. (If you subtract the
variance, the other side of the door is likely to scrape against the floor.)
Cut the stiles or uprights of the door jamb to the calculated height. Cut the door head
or horizontal section of the door jamb to the calculated height.
Positioning the hinges on the door
Traditionally the top of the top hinge is set 150 mm from the top of the door and the
bottom of the bottom hinge is 200 mm from the bottom of the door, although this is not
a requirement. The pre-hung doors have both the top and bottom hinges about 150 mm
from the edge.
The correct direction of the hinge on the door
Establish the correct side of the door that the knuckle of the hinge (the side with the pin
in it) is to protrude from. Mark on the door the position for the top edge of the top
hinge. Position the hinge on the edge of the door at that position and scribe a line around
the hinge to indicate the position of the checkout to house the hinge. The hinge is to
finish in the door with its surface level with the surface of the door. Repeat the process for
the bottom hinge.
Cutting the hinge checkout
Cut a section of timber out of the side of the door into which the hinge will be fitted.
This cavity is referred to as the hinge checkout. The next step is to check out the side of
the door within the lines marked on the edge of the door to enable the hinge to be fitted
with its surface level with the surface of the door. This can be done using either a chisel or
router set to the correct depth. When using a router you will still need to use a chisel to
clean up the edges of the cut and square up the corners of the checkout. Ensure that your
chisel is very sharp, otherwise it will tear the timber rather than cut it. Use light blows
with the hammer on the chisel initially until you get the feel of how the timber is going to
respond, otherwise you are likely to split the timber.
Using a router
Use a router to remove the majority of the timber from the checkout. First, set the depth
of the router to the thickness of the hinge. Ensure that the door is held firmly on its edge
so that it will not fall as you work on it. Start the cut at the centre of the checkout nearest
the edge of the door. As you gain control of the router, continue to move toward the lines
drawn on the door. Run the cutter of the router along the inside of the line to remove
most of the timber within the checkout. Go only as close to the line as you are
comfortable. A little extra timber to be removed with the chisel is of little consequence
compared to patching or replacing a damaged door.
Finish with a chisel
Hold the chisel vertically to trim the sides of the checkout so that the hinge will fit neatly
into it. Hold the chisel with the chamfered edge toward the centre of the checkout, as this
will enable a vertical cut around the checkout. Be gentle as you do this, particularly when
