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+-- Thread: Which trim bit to choose for mortising door hinges? (/showthread.php?tid=7332978)
Which trim bit to choose for mortising door hinges? - Steve Soldo - 09-04-2017
Putting in some new solid doors throughout the house. The hinges I want to use have rounded corners with a 5/8 radius:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004Z108/ref=psdc_511286_t2_B00F57SJAG
I am confused what trim bit to use. Most of the time I use a 1/2 inch diameter trim bit. I guess that produces a 1/4 radius at the corners?
(usually I make a jig out of pine)
Can someone suggest the appropriate trim bit to use?
RE: Which trim bit to choose for mortising door hinges? - museumguy - 09-04-2017
This is the one I have. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P4JMNC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Works well.
RE: Which trim bit to choose for mortising door hinges? - fixtureman - 09-04-2017
We always us a 1/2 inch straight bit for doors that gives you the correct radius and doesn't take long.
RE: Which trim bit to choose for mortising door hinges? - ez-duzit - 09-05-2017
This is the style I use with a 1/2" thick pattern. Mine are made by Ocemco.
![[Image: s-l300.jpg]](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/oykAAOSwQJhUb85F/s-l300.jpg)
RE: Which trim bit to choose for mortising door hinges? - JGrout - 09-05-2017
(09-04-2017, 02:13 AM)Steve Soldo Wrote: Putting in some new solid doors throughout the house. The hinges I want to use have rounded corners with a 5/8 radius:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004Z108/ref=psdc_511286_t2_B00F57SJAG
I am confused what trim bit to use. Most of the time I use a 1/2 inch diameter trim bit. I guess that produces a 1/4 radius at the corners?
(usually I make a jig out of pine)
Can someone suggest the appropriate trim bit to use?
you will need a 1 1/4" diameter bit like this one you will also need an appropriate bushing or even a top bearing bit to accomplish the proper cuts
or you can make your own template to cut the pockets with that has the proper radius corners then any top bearing bit would work
Joe
RE: Which trim bit to choose for mortising door hinges? - Brian in sunny FL - 09-06-2017
Whiteside makes one too, you should be able to add a bearing and collar to it.
https://www.holbren.com/Whiteside_Machine_1304
RE: Which trim bit to choose for mortising door hinges? - ez-duzit - 09-06-2017
You don't add a bearing and collar to a router bit. You buy one that is setup for following a pattern. Use the proper diameter to produce the same radius as the hinge (usually 1/4" radius/1/2" diameter).
RE: Which trim bit to choose for mortising door hinges? - JGrout - 09-06-2017
(09-06-2017, 10:07 AM)ez-duzit Wrote: You don't add a bearing and collar to a router bit. You buy one that is setup for following a pattern. Use the proper diameter to produce the same radius as the hinge (usually 1/4" radius/1/2" diameter).
it should be noted once again the radius of the hinges he is choosing is 5/8" not 1/4" which seems to be what people are pointing him toward.
it will not work correctly to use a 1/4" radius (1/2" diameter) bit to make a 5/8" radius unless the template is custom made.
HTH
RE: Which trim bit to choose for mortising door hinges? - Steve Soldo - 09-07-2017
(09-06-2017, 10:52 AM)JGrout Wrote: it should be noted once again the radius of the hinges he is choosing is 5/8" not 1/4" which seems to be what people are pointing him toward.
it will not work correctly to use a 1/4" radius (1/2" diameter) bit to make a 5/8" radius unless the template is custom made.
HTH
Yes that is correct. It is easier to make a rectangular template and use the appropriate diameter router bit. 1/2 inch template bits are easy to find, we all have them. But not suitable for 5/8 radius corners.
Since posting this, I have found many 1 1/4 inch diameter bits (CMT, Whiteside and Freud). So will need the appropriate bushing to use, effectively turning this into a "trim bit".
Alternatively, could get square cornered hinges, use the 1/2 template bit, and chisel out the corners.
I didn't mean for this to be so complicated...
RE: Which trim bit to choose for mortising door hinges? - ez-duzit - 09-07-2017
I missed the 5/8" radius (which seems odd). Alternatively you could get 1/2" radius hinges or plain hinges and radius to 1/2" on a belt/disc sander. Also the pattern could easily contain the 5/8" radius so the 1/2" follower bit would produce 5?8" radius.