On 2/4/2011 7:26 PM, cubby wrote:
Is there a foolproof way to do this, other than meticulous measuring?
I never seem to get it perfect first time, and then once the screw
holes are made it's difficult to reposition. I'm sure someone on here
has a cheat.

Prehung doors? Slab and jamb are predrilled and premortised, and it
always seems to line up perfectly, if door is installed square and
shimmed correctly.

Put the knob and striker in first, and rub a carpenter's pencil on the
end of the striker. It'll mark the jamb for you. Centerline of the mark
is the centerline of your mortise. You can even hold the striker plate
backwards against the jamb, and center the mark through the hole, and
score around it with a sharp utility knife. Horizontal part is a little
harder, but if door is a little 'loose', you can fine-tune by bending
the tab on plate that goes into the pocket.

It ain't as hard as it sounds.

--
aem sends...