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Milescraft HingeMate350 Door and Jamb Install Kit
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Rather than working freehand , even skilled carpenters use door hinge jigs for fast , accurate positioning of room access hardware . This dick lays out the exact locating of the flexible joint and service as a router guide for fast , gentle cutouts . Most are simple enough for comparatively inexperienced DIYers to apply , and many are very low-priced — especially when equate to the cost of ruin a door . We wanted to regain the most accurate , versatile , and undestroyable options , so we spend a day testing three of the best - value door hinge jig . Our favourite , theMilescraft HingeMate350 , was easy to apply , worked with awide range of doorsand hinge sizes , and even come with its own router bit , self - centering drill number , and nook chisel .
As near as it is , however , the HingeMate organisation has a few limitation . Compared to the adjustable one - piece model we test , its interchangeable drop - in templates take up more space when not in consumption . And if you ’re installing console door flexible joint , an altogether dissimilar type of jig will be required . In this guide , we ’ve detail our experience from examination , and why we consider the HingeMate organization the best option for most case . We also cover other bang-up options that might be a well fit for more unequaled circumstances , including triple - flexible joint jigs and hidden flexible joint jigs for cabinetry . If you ’re looking for the best room access hinge jigs for all your household criminal maintenance and remodeling need , this is the guide for you .
Door Hinge Jigs Comparison Chart
Our paygrade : Ease of Use5/5;Durability5/5 ; Value5/5
Aside from hinges , door hardware also includesdoor knobs , rap plates , and door latch hardware . For concluded installation , the Milescraft HingeMate350 not only include five dissimilar size hinge routering pathfinder , but it also get with templet for latch and strike plate installation . The kit features a brand frame for the drop - in templates that aline dead with an adjustable cam system . This outfit work with doors 1⅜ inches or 1¾ inches thickset .
After a quick survey of the menage where we test these jigs , we observe a intermixture of original and newer door of dissimilar thicknesses , both interior and outside . Had the projection require us to install new hardware on every threshold , they all would have been compatible with the HingeMate350 . alternatively , we specify up the guide on the 2×12 board we used for the routering test , which measured a received 1¾ column inch thick . apparatus was a simple issue of choosing the correct guide for the hinge , orienting it in the steel frame grant to our predilection for square or rounded corner , and secure it with two screws . The template hold back tight while the router spot made clean precise cuts , and we achieved a perfect fit every prison term .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
The kit included two extra accessories to make the Book of Job even easy . The self - centering exercise bit for predrilling screw holes secure that we had the perfect prison guard location and that the screws snugged down affluent with the hinge airfoil . Also , for square - corner hinges , the included recess chisel made it easy to square up the routed corner for a perfect convulsion . The only downside we could find out was that there are so many loose component part to store with the kit , unlike the other two we test that were adjustable one - piece templates .
Get the Milescraft doorway hinge jig atLowe’s , The Home Depot , Acme Tools , orWoodcraft .
More Door Hinge Jigs Worth Your Money
Each of the jigs we tested performed well , and some may be adept than our top choice in sure setting . The Ryobi jig seemed less lasting , but it features a much simpler design with few parts to store . The Porter - Cable 59370 template worked with a wider scope of hinge sizes and door thicknesses . We describe other dear options too , including 3 - hinge setups that could make spry work of multiple doorway installations , as well as jig for locker hinges that are conceal .
How We Tested the Best Door Hinge Jigs
When it descend to select a jig for mortising threshold hinges , strength and ease of usance are every bit important . We tested jigs from Milescraft , Ryobi , and Porter - Cable by mounting them on the edge of 2×12 lumber , simulating the edge of a threshold measuring 1¾ inches thick . We also used the face of a 2×4 display panel to simulate a door jamb . We set to match several different test hinges of four unlike size , routed the mortice for each hinge , and then inserted the ironware to hold in for accuracy . Throughout the process , we noted our observations regarding ease of role and perceived durability . We turn over our experience as well as the hard-nosed uses of each merchandise , pass on the range of hinge sizes and door thicknesses they could be used with . After testing , we scored the gigue on a statute title before naming our top selection .
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Door Hinge Jig
hinge for full - sizing exterior and interior doors come in a stove of sizes , and the doors themselves can be different thicknesses . The best door jigs for hinges accommodate these fluctuation and make it easy to position the hinges right . Hinges that are correctly installed andproperly lubricatedmake asqueaky doormuch less potential .
Material and Build Quality
Most door hinge router jig are made from either shot - model plastic or glass - reinforced charge card — also get laid as trash - reinforced nylon or fiberglass . charge plate is cheaper to get , while fiberglass is tougher . Both cloth would easily be damaged by either a router stonecutter ( used with full - size door jigs ) or a Forstner second ( used with cabinet jig ) . However , the cut edge should never come into direct striking with the gigue , so damage should never be a trouble . The special router bits used for template film editing have a bearing guide that follow the jig contour so that they only cut the wood .
Some of these jigs are made of aluminum or sword , which have the durability to withstand years of jobsite purpose .
Attaching Mechanism
Hinge jigs sequester in two different way . Some have a individual clamp built in , which makes for fast work , though it ’s crucial to make certain the jig is dead level . Others use locating pins that are pose to equate the threshold heaviness and are then screwed or pinned in place . These are a chip more metre - consuming , but arguably more secure .
Adjustability
The amount of adjustability provide by the safe threshold hinge jigs calculate very much on the type . Very canonic cabinet hinge jigs are just used to stigmatize gob positions , and any alteration is manual . More advanced model have rotate Cam River that give different spacings from the sharpness of the doorway . These jig are usually one sizing to become the hinge being used — either 35 millimeters ( mm ) or 26mm — though some can accommodate both .
Most full - size doorway flexible joint jigs can accommodate different - size of it hinges , though it ’s important to correspond the kitchen range useable . They have either a slip chemical mechanism or dissimilar - size of it templet that swing in .
As mentioned above , most jigs also have clamps or spacing pins to cope with various door thickness . With such variety in room access measurements , it is essential to correspond this measurement as well . doorway height is irrelevant as jigs can be positioned wherever required .
Photo: Mark Wolfefor Bob Vila
Additional Features and Accessories
A router routine is want to cut the hinge recess , and door flexible joint jig for routers commonly follow with one included . The cannon size will be either ¼ inch or ½ inch . Neither is better than the other , but the sizing will determine the kind of router used . Some ½-inch routers include a ¼-inch collet as an pick , whereas ¼-inch router can not use ½-inch morsel .
This case of doorway flexible joint jig create a round - corner cutaway in the threshold boundary , and suitable round - corner flexible joint are widely available . However , door flexible joint were traditionally square , and when refitting a door to an existing frame , it will often be necessary to rationalise away the rounded area . This can be done with an ordinary woodworking chisel , but corner chisel specifically for the purpose are available .
When hang doors , be sure to forestall the hold from damaging the wall . Our article on choosing thebest door stoppermay turn out useful .
Photo: Mark Wolfefor Bob Vila
Cabinet Door Hinge Jigs
decently installed hinges reduce the need toadjust cabinet flexible joint , and the right jig can help . Cabinet door hinge jigs differ from those used to install walk - through doors , and we included two excellent lesson in this guide , the Kreg KHI - Hinge Concealed Hinge drilling jig and the Milescraft 1342 Euro Hinge Jig . Cabinet hinges run to be more unvarying ( see our article onThe Best Soft airless Cabinet Hinges ) , so a individual cabinet hinge jig putz can accommodate an intact kitchen remodel . Most cabinets these day are made with hide hinges that sequester to the prat of the doorway and require precise positioning to run correctly . The hidden hinge gigue makes it much easier than freehand boring .
storage locker flexible joint jig are held to the interior of the door with woodworking clamps . Ratcheting types are convenient because they are easy to use one - handed . Two clamps should be employ ( one on either side of the cutter template ) to see to it that the jig ca n’t twist . Both of the cabinet hinge gigue we urge include the Forstner bit take to practise the flat - bottomed jam for the primary body of the hinge . Some also include a small drill bit to predrill pickle for the retaining fucking .
How to DIY Your Own Door Hinge Jig
Buying a threshold jig is the easy option , but with care , it is possible to make one . In fact , for cabinet door , a jig is n’t purely necessary . Measuring and mark accurately , withstand the drill vertically , judging the astuteness of a yap are all that ’s call for , and then a Forstner bit of the appropriate diameter to gibe the hinge will finish the job . exercise pressowners will find the task easier , but a hand-held practice and a steady hand can get the job done .
make a jig for full - size doors should be well within the attainment Seth of competent DIYers . An L - shaped frame with the appropriate cutout for the flexible joint spot is all that ’s really demand . We recommend using plywood or hardwood because composite board can be slight . The DIY jig only has two parts that could either be joined by make a slot in one with a router and attach the other to it or by simply have sex the two together . Several easy - to - follow design are uncommitted online .
FAQs
The template above will prove utilitarian in finding the right-hand jig for full - size interior and exterior doors as well as cabinet door . Those who want more info or illumination about these tools may well find it below in solution to some mutual questions about threshold flexible joint jigs .
Door hingeswere traditionally cut with a Mrs. Henry Wood mallet and chisel . Today , a router and jig compounding make the job faster and easier . Cabinet room access hinges are trim down with a Forstner drill mo .
How the flexible joint jig is dress up will bet on the type of jig . Some threshold jigs clamp to the side of the doorway , while others apply site peg and shtup . Cabinet jig unremarkably need to be adjudge in place using ordinary carpentry clamps , which will not be include . To ensure accuracy , it is important to follow the instructions that issue forth with the jig .
Photo: Mark Wolfefor Bob Vila
A heavy door ( often call a hearty core threshold ) should have a lower limit of three flexible joint to unfold the warhead and prevent it from drop . In utmost cases , such as prominent oak external doors , four hinge may be necessary .
Both ¼-inch and ½-inch routers can be used for threshold hinge . One of our top picks , thePorter - Cable 59370 threshold hinge jig , utilise a ¼-inch bit . Bear in mind that ½-inchroutersoften have ¼-inch collet and can therefore accept the smaller piece ; however , ¼-inch routers can not take ½-inch bits .
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a writer , product tester and serial DIYer who be in an old home . When he is n’t writing , he spends his clip upgrading , repairing , and replace anything and everything in his habitation , yard , and garden . He tests and write reassessment about hand and office creature , lawn maintenance and home hangout products , and outdoor support good .
Additional enquiry provided by Bob Beacham .
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