You have probably been asked when buying a door if it was a left or right hand swing. If you stand on the side where the hinge pins are facing you with the door closed are they on the right or the left of you. That's it , get it. They need to know this because a good door shop will ask because they have to know which side s the back and which is the closing or locking side so they can bevel the edge to close correctly. Also you should right that down if you are doing them yourself so that when you go to the warehouse store you can get the correct swings.

If you get a door that has no hinges or holes for the locks bored( drilled) yet, that is called a blank. Sometimes it will save you a lot of cost if you use a blank instead of a pre-hung door that is in the frame.

Take your door blank and lay it down on your sawhorses. Put the old door minus the hinges and the locks on top of the blank. Check to make sure it is the right size or pretty close. It may be longer on the new blank on the bottom but that's ok you will mark that with a pencil lightly and cut that off. Put a piece or two of tape right at that line you marked. When you cut it the tape will keep the wood from splintering up and less sanding is good. If it is a painted door, it is a good idea to cut the line at the tape with a utility knife so you don't tear the paint.

Now even up the same sized doors and mark all uneven edges, mark the lock hole or bore. If there are two holes mark both if you are using the same hardware ( Locking mechanism). If you are using new hardware check instructions that came with it to see how big you must drill the holes and where to drill them. There is a template that comes with the lock. After all is marked you want to have a sharp blade in your saw and a steady hand. Make sure you have read all the safety instructions that came with your saw. Cut where you marked and remember it is better to cut it to big than to small. Use a straight edge if you want it nice and straight. You can clamp a piece of 2x4 or 1x4 that is straight over the door but be sure to start the cut and mark the edge of the saw so you know where to clamp it! You may also want to measure from the blade to the edge of your saw to get the correct set back for your straight edge.

After it is cut to size take a square and mark the hinges straight down to the blank. You also want to measure the little piece that will be left behind the hinge. If you have a router turn it upside down and place the hinge on the bottom plate next to the bit. This will give you the depth at which to cut the space for it. Now turn the door on its side  with the hinge marks up and if your good at free handing it, route the area out for the hinge. If not they do make jigs for cutting out hinges that you might want to get. You can also cut it out with a sharp chisel. Cut with a utility knife first then use a chisel to take out the material the thickness of the hinge. When they are done and they fit nice and tight screw them in with the hinge screws. Now put it back up on the horses.

Find the center of your holes. Measure  half way across the hole and make a mark both ways. This is your center. You will probably need a 2-1/8 hole saw for this unless you have an odd of real old lock? A hole saw will have a drill bit in the middle. Put this on your center mark and drill until the bit just starts coming through the other side. Don't put to much pressure on it because you don't want to break out the wood on the other side. When you see it come through stop and pull the bit back out. Turn the door over and put the bit in that hole and drill the rest out. Hold the drill tight because when it finally goes through it will want to jump around so be ready to stop your drill. Now drill the side for your bolt keep the drill straight and only drill until you are through the side hole. Drill in the center again with a one inch bit or what ever your instruction say.

Now that it is ready it is easier to put the locks on with the door on the hinges. So hold the door up to the hinges with the hinge pins in your hand. Put the top one in first and have a hammer close by or someone there to give them to you when needed. Sometimes you may have to tap the hinge at the top or bottom to get it on the other part of the hinge. When it is on drop in the pins but don't hammer them all the way in yet. you might have to take it off again if you forgot to do something. When the locks are on and they fit and the door locks correctly tap the pins in all the way. You did it. Not that bad eh?

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