Fashionable interior trends dictate their conditions, thanks to which people began to change both entrance and interior door leaves more often. At the same time, their replacement is associated with certain costs, lion's share which goes to pay the workers who will install the door. An obvious solution to the problem would be to do it yourself, but this requires skill and special tool. For example, to carefully cut into a locking device you will need a cutter; we will talk about this in more detail later.
What is a milling cutter, what advantages does it provide when installing a lock on a door?
A hand router (popularly just a milling cutter) at one time made it possible to make a breakthrough in woodworking, because with such a tool complex wood carvings can be done practically “on the knee”. The advantage of a hand router is its portability. In the daily work of a carpenter, various situations may arise when work needs to be done locally. Previously, you had to either drag the product to the workshop or use a chisel and, accordingly, get a rougher and more approximate result. 
Now you can simply take the router with you, bring it into any room, drag it onto the roof or other hard to reach places and take the necessary actions without wasting extra time. Door installers have made their work much easier by starting to use manual router.
Using a suitable cutter, you can insert the locking device many times faster, saving an additional 30 minutes of time. This is quite significant, considering that it takes a specialist 2 hours to install a turnkey interior door.
We should not forget that earlier craftsmen, when cutting into a lock, were forced to “pick out” a deep groove under it with a chisel. Anyone who has “handled” a chisel knows how labor-intensive this work can be, how much time it takes, not to mention the risk. After all, a chisel can jump out from careless movement and damage the surface of the door leaf. In this case, on the one hand, the master will discredit himself, and on the other hand, he will suffer financially, because he will pay for new door from your pocket.
Types of cutters: which ones are useful when installing a locking device?
Currently, there are a huge number of cutters for hand routers. Using them, a nondescript piece of wood in capable hands turns into ready product right before your eyes. All cutters can be divided into three large groups. 
- Edges. They are used for making various carved elements on the surface of the material; they are also useful in making the edges of products.
- Grooved. Used for making grooves, recesses, recesses, grooves of any depth on any wooden surfaces.
- Curvy. Designed for creating various carved decorative elements on furniture facades, on the surfaces of door panels and other products.
To install locks in interior door leaves, you will need a groove cutter of suitable length. With its help, cutting the perfect recess in the end part of the door leaf costs nothing. True, it may be difficult to install door hinges, because even grooves need to be cut under them. But if you have an overrunning cutter at hand, no problems will arise.
Important! If you need to cut through a large round hole in a door leaf, for example, to install a knob handle, you will need a spiral cutter for inserting locks.
Getting ready to install a locking device: selecting a tool
For correct installation It is important to select locks for interior door leaves the right tool. It's best to stock up on everything at once. necessary equipment, tools and components before starting installation work. So that when you get down to business, you won’t be distracted by searching for and purchasing “what was missing.” Therefore, it is advisable to consider the entire list of tools that will be needed to install doors, which is called “turnkey”. 
- A construction tape and a square are necessary for taking measurements so as not to make a mistake when fitting the locking device.
- A simple pencil - its purpose is clear.
- The slipway is useful for securing the canvas to the floor, gaining easier access to its end part.
- Phillips screwdriver - needed to attach the locking device to the door leaf.
- Drill – necessary for drilling holes for fasteners.
- Chisel and hammer - needed to process the edges of the recess.
- Manual electric router - it is needed to prepare recesses for inserting locks and grooves for hinges.
Important! It will not be possible to do without a chisel and a hammer, because even a spiral cutter for cutting in locks leaves unsightly edges, which, however, can easily be brought to perfection using the “old-fashioned method.”
Lock installation process
Having selected the most necessary tool, you can begin installing the door leaf. We will not describe the entire process from beginning to end, since this is not related to the topic of the article. Let's talk only about the process of inserting a locking device, breaking it down into stages for ease of presentation.
To summarize, we note that for installing locks in door leaf Minimum carpentry skills required and suitable tool. You can do all the work from start to finish with your own hands. You need to know not only what tools are needed, but also what cutter is needed for a particular stage of work. If you manage to study and prepare all this, then the work will give you pleasure and the result will bring satisfaction.
Every person wants his interior door to be installed beautifully and without damage, and therefore it is always worth contacting professionals who know their business, even if it is a little more expensive, but there is confidence in the quality of the work.
If we talk about methods for inserting locks, then we can distinguish 2 main approaches. This is professional, using high-precision electric tools, and artisanal, using a hammer and chisel.
In both cases, you will need approximately the following list of tools:
- Manual router, attachment for cutting locks;
- Hammer;
- Chisels of different sizes;
- Flat and Phillips screwdrivers;
- Drill or screwdriver;
- Set of feather drills for wood;
- Roulette.
High rpm of the cutter will make recesses for the lock without damaging the door covering. A hammer is mainly needed for the artisanal method, but it can also be useful for a professional approach.
You will have to use chisels to cut out a place for the lock to fit, but this tool can easily damage door covering and worsen the appearance.
Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers will be needed to tighten the screws that hold the lock and the handle itself. It is recommended to use them, since when tightening with a screwdriver, there is a high probability of damaging the door covering. Using a drill or screwdriver, you can easily, and most importantly accurately, following the drawing, make a deep mounting hole for the lock and for the handle. A set of feather drills for wood is installed on a drill or screwdriver. A tape measure is necessary for measurements so as not to make a mistake when fitting the lock.
Types of cutters for cutting locks
A milling machine is a device for door frames and leaves that will ensure high accuracy of landing recesses. Currently, for a manual router there is simply great amount different cutters. All of them can be divided into 3 groups - edge, groove and figurine.
Namely:
- Edge– used in the manufacture of product edges, as well as for various carved elements on the material.
- Grooved– with their help they make grooves, recesses, recesses, grooves on wooden products.
- Curvy– are intended for creating decorative cut elements on the facades of furniture and doors.
If we look in more detail, we can identify 9 commonly used milling cutters. A straight groove router is designed for processing straight grooves, and in combination with a copy sleeve, it can be used for shaped and straight parts according to a template. Dumbbell V-groove routers are designed for decorative carving or as a moving guide.
The structural groove router is designed for the production of joints like dovetail or U-shaped groove. The milling cutter for miro-tenon splicing is used for joining long sheets along the length.
Shaped groove cutters are used for shaped side grooves in surfaces.
Straight edge phrases are used in work using homemade templates. Cutters with edge and disk shapes are used when making rebates, they differ high accuracy. Curved edge cutters are used to process the edges of panels, façade frames and baseboards. Horizontal cutters are used to decorate milled edges.
How to cut hinges into a door with a router: instructions
As noted above, it is better to entrust the matter to a professional, but if you are determined to make the hinges in the door with a phraser yourself, then these instructions will be relevant. First you need to decide which side of the door will be the front, and on which side the hinges will be located. It is advisable to mark the door so that you do not realize later that they are screwed on the wrong side.
Having decided on the location:
- We attach the hinge to the door;
- We outline with a simple pencil;
- Afterwards, we carefully process the resulting office with a chisel.
The latter is necessary to avoid cracks and damage to the door that may occur during rotation of the cutter. Most important point– setting the immersion depth on a manual router and rip fence. The long edge should be milled from top to bottom. The upper and lower contour lines should be processed within a couple of millimeters, and then cut down with a chisel. This is necessary to avoid damage to the door.
The distances from the upper and lower edges of the door to the hinges should be chosen from 17 to 22 cm.
Next, apply a loop and screw it on. We apply the timber in the letter “G”, make an allowance for the gap between the door and the frame and measure the location of the hinges. Let's move on to milling door frame– we leave the oral stop on the router, specify the immersion depth of the cutter and do everything exactly as for the door. After all, we screw the hinges with the door to the door frame.
The process of inserting the hinges itself can take several hours. If you do not have complete confidence in your abilities and the ability to use a hand router, then it is better to turn to professionals, or, as a last resort, call a friend who will help with inserting hinges.
Using templates for inserting hinges and locks
Templates can make the task of installing them much easier. You can make such templates yourself or buy them at a hardware store. Making the template will not take much time.
To make it you will need:
- Board thickness from 20 mm, length from 40 mm;
- Wood fiber tiles measuring 100x100 mm;
- Small wooden beam;
- Rail with a length of 150 mm;
- Drill, jigsaw;
- Fasteners and wing bolts.
On fiberboard a cut of the required size is made, 6 square parallel holes are drilled (3 on each side). We make another hole in the center measuring 140x70. A block is attached to one of the edges of the slats, which will serve as a limiter. Next, you should attach the strip with the bar to the tile with self-tapping screws. We cut out 3 overlays from the board - one for vertical fastening and 2 of the same size for horizontal fastening. In each tab, 2 parallel cuts are made, this will allow you to adjust the size of the holes. The covers are attached to the MDF board.
The template is ready, it should be clarified that all the above dimensions are relative and do not have to be followed.
Using templates for inserting hinges and locks is very easy. To do this, you need to fix the door to the floor. Next, we decide on the side where the loops will be located and apply preliminary markings. We apply a template in the place where the hinges should be installed. The chamfer is removed using a manual phraser. The depth of the chamfer should be equal to the thickness of the loop.
How to use a router for cutting locks (video)
When installing hinges and other fittings on the door leaf yourself, you must follow safety precautions. At the right approach and following all the recommendations described above, you will get beautiful doors for many years.
In order to quickly and accurately cut door hinges, it is best to use a hand router. You can also use a hammer and chisels for these purposes, but a router produces better results, especially if there is, for example, a knot or complex wood texture at the insertion site.
Let's look at setting up a router using the Bosch POF 1400 ace as an example.
It is better to use a small diameter cutter, for example 9.5 mm, to less material I had to cut the corners by hand. You can also use a dovetail cutter to insert the loop more tightly.
Let's start the setup by adjusting the depth of the cutter. To do this, attach the loop to the sole of the router and extend the cutter to the thickness of the loop.
In order to adjust the position of the sole relative to the cutter, there is a lever on the router body.
To do this, we apply the router to the door so that the cutter is at the hinge contour mark.
Then we press the stop to the edge of the door and fix its position with the wings intended for this.
Within the future groove we make a sample of several mm in order to check the depth of the groove.
To do this, put a loop in it and check it. We adjust if necessary. That is, we increase or decrease the immersion depth of the cutter.
We carefully make a sample of the upper edge of the future groove; the parallel stop will not let us go further than the side line, and the ends must be drawn extremely carefully. You can even leave a little material and then trim it with a chisel.
In the same way we derive bottom part loops, and then boldly, leaning on the side support, connect the top and them. When to withdraw top part, it’s more convenient to look from above, as if holding the router to your chest and leaning over it. And when the lower one and everything else, it’s more convenient to look at it point-blank, holding the router on outstretched, slightly bent arms.
Within the boundaries of the made contour, we smoothly move the router up and down, removing everything unnecessary.
The sample from the cutter produces rounded corners.
We cut them with a knife or chisel to a right angle.
If necessary, trim the ends further.
The groove is ready, you can insert the loop.
Now let's talk about how to adjust the depth of the cutter for inserting a loop in a box beam.
In this case, the door leaf is two millimeters wider than the quarter of the frame. In the photo, the box connected by the letter G lies on the door, and the door protrudes 2 mm from the plane.
Therefore, the rip fence needs to be moved 2 mm relative to the setting with which we cut the groove on the door. The hinge on the box must be pulled out, otherwise the door will “bite” a quarter and will not be able to close.
We place the router on the box parallel to the plane of the quarter and extend the cutter to the surface of the quarter.
Using a depth limiter, here it is in the photo,
measure the thickness of the loop and tighten the lamb.
Depending on the location of the door block, the opening method, as well as the total number of active leaves, doors can be sorted according to certain types. Many people are accustomed to externally opening entrance doors, but there are also internally opening doors.
Consumer demand
Statistics recent years regarding the demand for door structures intended for entering an apartment, shows an indicator of growing popularity in metal doors internal opening. This fact of consumer demand is explained by the fact that in multi-apartment high-rise buildings there are three, or even all four entrances to the apartment. So one common area of a small square cannot allow people to leave their own premises owners at a time.
Next reason, hiding increased consumer demand for interior doors, is expressed in the comfort of using the opening. If it is permissible to simply remove the interior doors from their hinges if you need to bring large furniture into the room, then the entrance panels are quite difficult to dismantle for the same needs.
Internal opening doors allow you to freely use the opening when swinging the sash open.
As for technical parameters, then internal doors are somewhat distinguishable from standard structures that open by swinging outward, which is in no way similar to interior units. The selection of standard blocks must be made especially carefully, since the issue of burglary resistance of standard products is relevant.
Entrance panels to an apartment or any other building with internal way openings are a design with more vulnerable burglary resistance indicators. a sash that opens away from you is quite easy to simply knock out with your foot or by using other slight physical force. Thus, internal opening doors should be endowed with an increased level of resistance and resistance to typical impacts.
It is worth noting that the vast majority of manufacturers door designs, does not manufacture blocks that open into the apartment. The reason for this is the above-mentioned exposure to unreliability before knocking out, which every manufacturing company will not risk in terms of its reputation. Nevertheless, the leading manufacturers of entrance door panels provide the retail consumer with standard products in an assortment, creating designs in such a way that, using any tool, the door remains a reliable barrier to unauthorized access to a home or other room.
Design Features
Not the last role in quality indicators reliability is given installation work However, when creating a design, additional safety measures are used, which are achieved through the following indicators:
For standard products thickness steel sheet in relation to the requirements of GOST standards, it should even exceed 3 mm.
At the same time, standard entrance doors are equipped with only two or maximum three horizontally directed stiffeners, while internal doors are equipped with a combination of vertical and horizontal stiffeners. Thus, unique, in visual perception, steel mesh from profile square section either from corner profile, makes it possible to eliminate deformation and mechanical damage to the door leaf.
If the interior blocks can be additionally and quite easily eliminated from the existing gap in the vestibule, then the entrance fabrications are quite difficult to reconstruct in this direction. At the same time, the existing gap in the vestibule opens up more opportunities for unauthorized entry into the building. They get rid of a typical problem during the manufacturing process of the structure in factory or factory conditions, by strengthening the site in the locking area. Thus, any type of impact, including a mechanical nature, is prevented in the bud.
Types of indoor units
Internal door products, as a design with an opening into the entrance premises, can be divided into different kinds regarding the opening method:
Designs with an internal opening method can be created from the most various materials, as well as being decorated in completely different ways, similar to the classic entrance group products with a standard opening method.
4.5 /5 (2 )If earlier tools such as a hammer and chisel were used to install door hinges and locks, today an electric milling machine is more often used.
You can use a template for inserting hinges and locks - there are several options, thanks to which you select best option for any individual situation.
Advantages of the device
Such a device will be convenient for both professionals and home handyman who decided to install new doors. A device such as a milling cutter for cutting locks will be convenient due to:
- Modesty of its size and weight. This device is extremely easy to use;
- The instrument is extremely mobile - you can carry it with the help of a case;
- Damage the door leaf, frame or door block in general it will be more difficult than if you use a regular tool - a hammer and a chisel;
- If you use a specialized tool - a machine, you can eliminate or minimize errors, thereby ensuring maximum quality and reliable fit of the mounted lock and fixed door hinges.
The tool is intended for processing wooden surfaces, in particular for creating edges or grooves. With its help, you can perform in the shortest possible time such types of work as inserting and installing locks into precisely fitted holes, making recesses for hinges (their subsequent installation).
Such a device will be convenient for both doors and window frames, or other similar surfaces (doors to cabinets, cupboards, etc.).
In addition, the router will not only allow you to conveniently install door fittings, but also round the edges, you can make neat profile strips, and create beautiful and reliable connections.
Despite its apparent complexity, anyone can easily learn how to use a router - such a tool is no different from a shaped loop or drill.
Types and models of such instruments
Using a router you can create almost any profile - both with straight and rounded edges.
For the router you can purchase a set of several cutters, each of which performs a separate function and is designed for a separate type works:
- Vertical, or otherwise called submersible. They are intended for a variety of jobs;
- Edging or edging will allow you to process edges and edges with high quality. This model is offered with small dimensions and weight;
- Combined models include both of the above options;
- There are also specific models - dowel, lamella and trimmer.
If you purchase a router to work with door panels, you can choose models that can be used to ensure the formation of hinges of the required depth. There are also models with which you can embed a lock. It is also possible to make tenon joints.
When planning to purchase a tool such as a milling cutter, you should decide for what types of work it is needed and with what intensity it will be used.
There are professional models that are more suitable for craftsmen who install doors every day. For home works will do simpler model.
There are a huge number of manufacturers of such devices, so you can choose a model not only by functionality, but also by cost, quality and reliability.
You can save money only if you plan to work with the tool extremely rarely; otherwise, it is worth purchasing a professional model, which is not only highly reliable, but also has a wide range of functions.
A cheap model will quickly exhaust its reserve and, accordingly, there will be a need to purchase new tool.
Application area
As already mentioned, you can use a regular hammer and chisel to install hinges and locks, but when using them you should be prepared to spend a lot of time and effort.
Such a device is an indispensable tool for those who professionally and daily install doors.
In order to perform all the necessary actions, the canvas must be secured vertically using a slipway.
The technician must accurately mark the location where the lock or hinges are planned to be installed. The next step is checking - you need to attach the part to the marked area and see how perfectly the marking is done. Areas of the canvas that extend beyond the markings should be covered with masking tape to protect from damage.
To perform the necessary steps, you should use a groove router.
In any case, a tool such as a router for cutting in any type of locks and hinges will be relevant for any apartment or private house. The need to install doors does not arise often, but the need to replace hinges or align the door leaf relative to the frame may arise often. If you do this on professional level– then the milling cutter will allow you to quickly and conveniently complete the entire range of work.
Although the device is convenient to use, working with it requires certain experience and knowledge, which is why not everyone buys a router.