doorboring

Doorboring is the woodworking process of creating holes and recesses in a door to install hardware such as hinges, door knobs, levers, or deadbolts. It is typically performed on new doors or after-market replacements, and may be done with the door removed or held in a vise or on a workbench.

The work usually involves two main tasks: boring the through-hole for the lockset or doorknob (face bore) and boring the edge for the latch/bolt (edge bore), as well as shaping mortises for hinge leaves. Hardware manufacturers provide templates with the required hole diameters and backsets. In North America, common practice uses a 2-1/8 inch face bore for the lock, a 1 inch edge bore for the latch, and a backset of about 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inches. Regional standards vary, and European or other hardware may use metric sizes.

Tools and methods: a drill with correct bit sizes, a hole saw or forstner bit for the face bore, a drill for the edge bore, and chisels or a router for hinge mortises. A hinge jig or mortising chisel helps align and size mortises. Marking, drilling pilot holes, drilling out the holes, and chiseling to final depth are typical steps. For precision, test-fit hardware often guides the final adjustments.

Safety and quality: clamp the door, support it, and work slowly to avoid tear-out. Use sharp bits, drill straight perpendicular to the face, and avoid drilling into preexisting hardware or moisture-damaged wood.