old doors new hinges

sheetmetal guy

hello, here's my issue. i am adding some recycled doors to my remodel project. trying to match the existing doors. i am replacing the hinges, but some of the old doors are messed up. i was wondering if i should put the new hinges in the old places or should i router out new mortices? then filling the old mortice with wood putty. the doors are already painted. i heard the mortice is what gives it the strength, not the screws. some of these doors are really messed up. thanks for looking. any suggestions are very well appreiceated.

jlhaslip

putty would not be a good choice for filling the old hinge gains. fit a piece of wood in there and sand/paint as required.
I use 7 inches down to the top of the top hinge and 11" up to the bottom of the bottom hinge for 2 hinge doors.
7" down/7"up/centred for 3 hinge doors.

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kwikfishron

If your going to do any filling on the hinge side don't use putty. I always use "Evercoat Formula 27" its a marine grade bondo you mix with a hardener. Tough stuff and you can be sanding on it in about 30 min. Thats assuming the finish is paint.

Willie T

It's both. But mostly the screws. (sorry) If this were not the case, big barn doors and large, heavy fence gates would be mortised.

One of the best ways you can repair old, reamed-out screw holes is to completely drill the hole (each one) to 1/2", and insert 1/2" oak dowel pieces cut to length and glued in place. Then remount the hinges, screwing the screws into the new oak wood.


Drill the holes a couple of inches deep, and pilot drill 1/8", or so, holes for your hinge screws.

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Willie T

william duffer

Wilie has the right idea it's a lot less work and just as strong. The mortise is there to flush the hinge to the door.