Router Mortising Kit for Door Face Plate

GeauxCajuns82

Does anyone know if something like this exists? I am replacing all my interior doors with new 6-panel blank doors and I purchased the Porter Cable Router Kit for the Hinge Mortises and it worked great and produced a very smooth and exact mortise. I also used the Black & Decker Lock Installation Kit to install the doorknobs. However, you have to chisel out the mortise for the faceplate, which didnt come out that great (I'm not too good with the chisel). So I was wondering if there was a similar router kit out there for this mortise.

Termite

You can get a 1/8" bit and a guid bushing that mounts to your PC router's base. Then just make a template out of plywood that fits over the door. The bushing will follow the template. Either way, you're still going to have to do some chisel work.

I never use a router for this because it takes too long to set up!

47_47

I do not know of a tool that exists for the faceplate. Using a hand chisel isn't rocket science.
First start with a good quality sharp wood chisel. I use Marples. Trace the outline of the plate with a sharp utility knife. Use light to medium pressure and darken the lines with a pencil if necessary. Hold the chisel 90° to the face with the bevel toward the waste material in the knife groove. Tap the chisel with a mallet to the desired depth of the mortise. It is better to take light hits and work down to the finished depth than one hard hit. Make a series of depth cuts across the grain with your chisel spaced 1/4" apart. Working from the center with the bevel down, pare away the excess.
I'd practice on some scrape and after a couple, you'll get the knack.

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Handyman Jim Noonan

There are many lock manufacturers who include parts , in with the lock package, to change the latch to a round face latch ;that can then be tapped into the edgebore hole ,with no need to mortise. Of course, you will still need to mortise for the strike plate.

I can't help you on where to find the router kit, some of the other guys on the forum may be able to help with that. I learned to mortise out for hinges, latches, and strikes the old fashioned way , with a chisel and mallet and I prefer doing it that way. With a sharp chisel,once the latch face is outlined , if you take your time ;it can be done, with excellent results. It just takes a little patience, a sharp chisel and maybe some practice on some scrap wood.

http://www.handymanjimnoonan.com

troubleseeker

Porter Cable actually makes a black plastic companion template for doing dead bolt and latch strikes, and door edge mortises. But if you only need the door edge , 20 minutes and a few pieced of wood will make a very simple template. I personally prefer to use a 1/2" bit with top mounting bearing for template work, because it makes it simplier to fab the template. The bit that came with the hinge template will work fine, and with a little finessing of the homeade template thickness, you will not even have to reset the depth on your router.

tiwahl

I realize this is an old topic, but I found because I was looking for this very thing. What I discovered is that Milescraft model 1213 door mortise kit includes a template for a faceplate. www.milescraft.com

mrgins

the big box stores carry them separately or included in a the lockset drill guide kit. I never use them as I find it quicker to use a knife and chisel. It's good to use to find the center of the strikeplate, after which I use a 1" bit to drill the hole to receive the latch

Willie T

I second the vote for Milescraft. Very sturdy.

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dadflynn

Yes there is such a kit. Go to Woodhaven.com. I just bought the hinge jig, and lockset plate jig from them. The lockset plate jig was $17.99 and is extremely wellmade and accurate. They'll send you a catalog with your order. Really nice stuff. (No I don't work for them!)

masterofall

If you have a really sharp chissel you will notice your skill level increases.
I often free hand with a router staying within the outlines and cleaning up with a sharp chissel later