How Do I Route The Hinge Grooves?

[fjl]

I need to make the grooves for the hinges but have no idea how to get the router to route this and hold it straight at the same time? Suggestions?

Here's a pic of what I want to route...

[quadmasta]

Make a jig that's the right size including any space for your collet and just trace it with the collet.  Then you can use a chisel to round out the corners.

[fjl]

Chisel!? This isn't the dark ages anymore. I didn't pay over $200 bucks for my router so I could be chiseling my work. 

[bfauska]

Unless you are working with a really tiny router bit (and technically even then) you are going to have rounded corners when you are done using a router to make a cut like the one pictured.  The point of the chisel is to just sharpen them up a bit so the hinges will fit.  Most modern door hinges have actually allowed for this by cutting the corners of the hinge, but for smaller cabinet-like hinges they're usually still sharp square corners.  Even a $500 Festool or Freud router is going to have this issue.

[fjl]

Fine I'll be like my great-great-great grand dad and chisel the rounded corner parts. But what about routing down the bulk of it?

[bfauska]

If you could clamp the board to the edge of a table with the edge you are going to route facing up and flush with top of the table you would be able to hold the router base flat on the table but hanging over the edge to route out the recess.  For something like that I would probably just freehand it after setting the depth, but if you wanted to guide it you could put guide boards spaced so that the sides of the router base run into them before you cut outside the lines, one board for each end and one for the back.

In the attached picture the yellow is the table the blue is the part you are routing the green are the boards spaced the correct distance from the cut so that they guide the base of your router while you make the cut.

[sstorkel]

But what about routing down the bulk of it?

I'd use a chisel for the whole thing! For two hinges, I could complete the whole job with a chisel in less time than it would take to pull out the router, find the right bit, and get it setup in the collet...

[bfauska]

He's probably right.  If you were doing a production run it would be worth making a template and using the router, but for a single part it may be faster w/ the chisel.  I do like the flat bottom you will get with the router though.  Chisels and MDF aren't the best possible match, but they're not miserable either.

[fjl]

It is MDF which is why I don't really want to bother with a chisel.

[TOK]

It is MDF which is why I don't really want to bother with a chisel.

It's MDF, which is why you shouldn't care. Hell, you could use a sharp screwdriver. 

[fixedpigs]

I'd use a chisel for the whole thing! For two hinges, I could complete the whole job with a chisel in less time than it would take to pull out the router, find the right bit, and get it setup in the collet...

likewise...a good chisel through mdf will take no time at all and look good...

routing that would be more of a pain in the ass...

just mark your lines and chisel away...

this is the woodworking forum & not the 'cutting edge(no pun intended) technology now...!' forum right...?

[ChadTower]

I'd use a chisel for the whole thing!

Seriously... and if you're going to make a jig, hell you could do a whole room of cabinet doors with a chisel in that amount of time.

[Donkman]

 I like the clean dependable depth cut from a router best.  But for a total of 2 hinges it would be quicker to chisel. I would cut the hinge outline to rough depth first and then remove the material from the lid edge. MDF will chisel out in layers cleanly, sometimes. 

[ratzz]

Chisel !

[Avrus]

Laser pistol.

Pew pew pew!

[HairyDVD]

As previously stated - it would be easier to use a chisel. 

The main problem you have with the router here is that the guide and router don't have much grip / stability on the edge of the workpiece (and you have to be careful you don't go too far and cut right through to the front face when routing it )

[RecklessAbandon]

well if you insist on using a router, either make a jig or buy one




but if your going to go to all that effort for just 2 hinges so you can make use of a router....
a chisel would be quicker and cheaper

[fjl]

I finally used the chisel and the outcome was less than I expected. Looked pretty crappy. Luckily it turned out that I cut that piece of wood 1/4" too big so I cut the chiseled part out. So once again I am looking for a more proffesional looking finish.

So is this what the table router can be used for? To make such grooves? I have yet to try a router table but my only thought on them is that you cant see the work while cutting it since the wood is being cut from underneath.

How is that any helpful? 

[TOK]

I finally used the chisel and the outcome was less than I expected. Looked pretty crappy. Luckily it turned out that I cut that piece of wood 1/4" too big so I cut the chiseled part out. So once again I am looking for a more proffesional looking finish.

So is this what the table router can be used for? To make such grooves? I have yet to try a router table but my only thought on them is that you cant see the work while cutting it since the wood is being cut from underneath.

How is that any helpful? 

When you're using a router table, you are typically using half the bit, not laying the project over it. I'm by no means an expert woodworker, but from what you're saying it really sounds like you need to focus on technique, not tools.

What is the deal with these hinge cuts anyway? They should be inside the project when you're done. With the inner door painted and the hinges inside the cuts, nobody should ever being seeing them. Sweat the control panel, not this.

[Hoopz]

I finally used the chisel and the outcome was less than I expected. Looked pretty crappy. Luckily it turned out that I cut that piece of wood 1/4" too big so I cut the chiseled part out. So once again I am looking for a more proffesional looking finish.

So is this what the table router can be used for? To make such grooves? I have yet to try a router table but my only thought on them is that you cant see the work while cutting it since the wood is being cut from underneath.

How is that any helpful? 

You seem singularly unprepared to receive help.  Almost anytime someone gives you advice, you whine and complain.  If you don't want to hear differing opinions, then don't ask questions.

Regarding the chisel, did you practice first?  How much time did you spend making sure you knew what you were doing?  If you were complaining that it was the same technique as your great, great, great grandfather, did you spend any time figuring out how to do it properly?

I agree with TOK regarding technique, not tools.   Practice before doing anything for the first time on your precious, albeit incorrectly cut, pieces.

[sstorkel]

One has to wonder whether it wouldn't have been better to use European-style concealed hinges that don't require mortising...

[fjl]

Nah, cant use the european style hinges. They wont fit into the box. I designed it with minimal space.

You seem singularly unprepared to receive help.  Almost anytime someone gives you advice, you whine and complain.  If you don't want to hear differing opinions, then don't ask questions.

But whining and complaining is part of my charm.

[ChadTower]

I'd lay odds on the fact that he didn't sharpen the chisel.

[fjl]

T'was a brand new chisel I bought that same day. It was a choice between an economy 4 piece chisel set that cost $9 bucks or a single proffesional type chisel priced $9 bucks. I went for the professional one.

[ratzz]

T'was a brand new chisel I bought that same day. It was a choice between an economy 4 piece chisel set that cost $9 bucks or a single proffesional type chisel priced $9 bucks. I went for the professional one.

Hi,

Fitting sunken hinge requires that you use your chisel to firstly 'cut', or you can score with a knife round the outline of the hinge. Then 'chop' along the length of the hinge down about 1/8th", repeat this every 1/4" until you reach the end. Then cut along the edge and under the 'chops' to remove them.

Repeat until you have the correct depth.

Oh, and you MUST practice -- its just technique.

HTH ... Ratzz.

[fjl]

thanks, I'll try that.

[bfauska]

I found a video on Youtube that shows some good chisel tips technique and also is specifically about mortising a hinge.  It is real wood not MDF, but the technique is the same.  He only cuts the perimeter lines with the knife but if you do more relief cuts parallel to the ends of the hinge it will keep you from accidentally going too deep too quickly.

[fjl]

Interesting technique. Although, he didn't do what catzz mentioned about shopping every 1/4 inch. Maybe you don't have to. hmm...

[ChadTower]

T'was a brand new chisel I bought that same day.

They don't come ready to use out of the package.  You still have to sharpen a brand new chisel.  Hell, with a nice hardwood and visible work area, you may need to sharpen the chisel after sharpening the chisel to get great results.

[ratzz]

Interesting technique. Although, he didn't do what catzz mentioned about shopping every 1/4 inch. Maybe you don't have to. hmm...

I'm glad he didn't mention anything about shopping, as that would definitely be wrong technique

There are more ways than one to skin a cat.

Does anyone else think this thread has gone on too long? 

[bfauska]

Interesting technique. Although, he didn't do what catzz mentioned about shopping every 1/4 inch. Maybe you don't have to. hmm...

Those are the release cuts I was referring to.