Router plane vs chisel for hinge mortises: one was way faster

I was doing a set of 6 doors last week for a house here in Denver and had to cut hinge mortises on every single one. Usually I just grab a chisel and go at it, takes me about 20 minutes per door if I'm being careful. Then a buddy Dave loaned me his old Stanley 71 router plane and said just try it. Man, what a difference. I had the hinge mortises done in like 8 minutes each, no gouged out edges or crooked lines. The router plane let me set the depth once and just ride the edge of the hinge plate. Felt like cheating compared to hammering away with the chisel. Has anyone else switched to a router plane for this and never looked back?

2 comments

2 Comments

emery_taylor1mo ago

Man those 20 minute doors sound brutal, I feel your pain. I did a kitchen reno last year with 12 cabinet doors and a chisel and it was honestly the worst part of the whole job. That controlled depth on a router plane is a lifesaver, I messed up two mortises on walnut cabinets because I got heavy handed with the chisel and had to patch them. My wrists definitely prefer the smoother motion too, no more of that pounding ache the next day.

andrew7781mo ago

Man I used to be one of those guys who thought chisels were the only way to go, figured routers were for show. But after messing up a batch of cherry cabinet fronts last spring I totally switched teams. @emery_taylor knows what's up though, that controlled depth thing is a game changer when you're working with nice wood that costs more per board foot than steak. My shoulders used to ache for days after chiseling too, now I just set it and forget it basically.