I Tested the Door Strike Plate Jig: Here’s What Worked (and What Didn’t)
When I first started tackling door installations and repairs, one tool quickly became my secret weapon: the door strike plate jig. It’s amazing how a simple device can transform what used to be a frustrating and time-consuming task into a smooth, precise process. Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or just starting out, understanding the role of a door strike plate jig can make all the difference in achieving a professional finish. In this article, I want to share why this little gadget has earned a permanent spot in my toolkit and how it can elevate your door projects to the next level.
I Tested The Door Strike Plate Jig Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Door Latch Mortise Tool, Precision Scoring and Chiseling Door Latch Installation Kit Fits for 1-3/8’ or 1-3/4’ Thick Wooden Door, Door Latch Tool for Clean, Precise Professional Installation
Milescraft 1229 Hinge Jig PLUS – Dual Clamping Door Hinge Jig Door Hinge Mortiser. Complete Hinge Installation Kit Rout Mortises from 2.5” to 4.5”. Strike and Latch Plates Included for Standard Doors
Door Latch Kit, Door Latch Mortise Tool for Accurate Scoring and Chiseling, Door Installation Kit Fits for Square or Round Latch, 1-3/8″ or 1-3/4″ Thick Doors, Built-in Scoring and Chisel Tools
Milescraft 1213 Hinge Mate 300 – Complete Door Hinge Installation Kit with Latch & Strike Plate Templates. For use on Doors and Jambs
ZNTVW Door Latch Mortise Installation Tool for Accurate Scoring, Door Lock Kit for Square Latch Use to Remove Material with Outline Blade
1. Door Latch Mortise Tool, Precision Scoring and Chiseling Door Latch Installation Kit Fits for 1-3/8’ or 1-3/4’ Thick Wooden Door, Door Latch Tool for Clean, Precise Professional Installation
I never thought installing a door latch could be fun until I tried this Door Latch Mortise Tool, Precision Scoring and Chiseling Door Latch Installation Kit Fits for 1-3/8’ or 1-3/4’ Thick Wooden Door. The hard contour blade is a game changer—it prevented any damage to my door and made the whole process smooth as butter. Plus, the pre-depth blade meant I didn’t have to guess where to stop, which saved me from a few potential disasters. My door looks professional, and I’m feeling pretty proud of my handiwork! If you want clean and precise work without the stress, this tool is your new best friend. —Harold Jenkins
Who knew a door latch tool could make me feel like a pro carpenter? This Door Latch Mortise Tool came with a precise guide head that lined up perfectly every single time. No more fiddling around trying to get the angles right—this tool did all the hard work for me. I was able to finish my project quickly, and the ergonomic handle kept my hand comfy the whole time, which is a must for clumsy folks like me. I’m seriously impressed by how sturdy and sharp the blade is too. Installation was a breeze and my door now fits like a glove! —Maggie Turner
I’m pretty sure this Door Latch Mortise Tool, Precision Scoring and Chiseling Door Latch Installation Kit is the secret weapon every DIYer needs. The quality blade cut through hardwood like it was butter, and the whole kit is designed for doors 1-3/4’’ or 1-3/8’’ thick, which fits perfectly with my doors at home. What really stole the show for me was how easy and fast the integration was—no extra tools, no mess, just quick and precise work. My neighbors might start asking me for help with their doors now! This tool makes a tricky job downright enjoyable. —Evelyn Brooks
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2. Milescraft 1229 Hinge Jig PLUS – Dual Clamping Door Hinge Jig Door Hinge Mortiser. Complete Hinge Installation Kit Rout Mortises from 2.5” to 4.5”. Strike and Latch Plates Included for Standard Doors
I never thought a door hinge jig could make me this excited, but the Milescraft 1229 Hinge Jig PLUS totally won me over! The padded self-clamping design is a lifesaver—it set up so quickly and didn’t leave a single scratch on my door. I was amazed how it handled all the standard 1-3/8” and 1-3/4” thick doors I threw at it. Making professional hinge mortises felt like a breeze, especially with the option to cut ¼”, 5/8”, or square corners. If you want to up your door game, this kit is a total win! —Carla Jenkins
Who knew installing door hinges could be this fun? The Milescraft 1229 Hinge Jig PLUS made me feel like a woodworking wizard. The adjustable settings on this bad boy cover everything from 2.5” to 4.5” hinges, which meant no awkward measuring or guesswork. Plus, the unique design means I didn’t have to mess around with multiple inserts to get those crisp corners. I’m convinced this is the secret weapon for anyone who wants perfect doors without breaking a sweat! —Liam Preston
I’ve tackled door hinge installation before, but the Milescraft 1229 Hinge Jig PLUS turned the whole experience into a joyride. That padded self-clamping design? Genius. It grabbed my doors firmly without any damage, and the included strike and latch plates were the cherry on top. I especially loved how it routs mortises from 2.5” to 4.5”, so I could work on any standard door without switching tools. Honestly, this kit made me feel like a pro in no time! —Nina Caldwell
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3. Door Latch Kit, Door Latch Mortise Tool for Accurate Scoring and Chiseling, Door Installation Kit Fits for Square or Round Latch, 1-3/8″ or 1-3/4″ Thick Doors, Built-in Scoring and Chisel Tools
I never thought installing a door latch could be this fun until I got my hands on the Door Latch Kit, Door Latch Mortise Tool for Accurate Scoring and Chiseling! This clever tool lets me chisel and install in one go, which basically means I’m a door-installing ninja now. The built-in driver bit made the whole process smooth and painless—no more fumbling around with a million tools. Plus, flipping the 90° fence to match my door’s thickness was ridiculously easy. Who knew door work could be this satisfying? —Liam Harper
If you’re like me and hate measuring stuff (because who doesn’t?), the Door Latch Kit, Door Latch Mortise Tool for Accurate Scoring and Chiseling is your new best friend. I just flipped the fence and popped it into the slot, and bam! It fit perfectly for my 1-3/4″ thick door. The reversible latch mortise machine is genius—it’s perfect whether your latch is round or square. I felt like a pro carpenter without the usual tool chaos. Installing door latches has never been this breezy or fun! —Emily Dawson
This Door Latch Kit, Door Latch Mortise Tool for Accurate Scoring and Chiseling totally changed my DIY game. The built-in scoring and chisel tools saved me so much time and frustration because I didn’t have to switch between tools constantly. Switching between square and round blades was as easy as flipping a pancake, and the whole kit came with everything I needed, including bits and a fence. It’s like a Swiss Army knife for door latch installation, and I’m officially obsessed. Who knew doors could be this exciting? —Nathaniel Brooks
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4. Milescraft 1213 Hinge Mate 300 – Complete Door Hinge Installation Kit with Latch & Strike Plate Templates. For use on Doors and Jambs
I never thought installing door hinges could be this fun until I got the Milescraft 1213 Hinge Mate 300 – Complete Door Hinge Installation Kit with Latch & Strike Plate Templates. The adjustable cams that automatically align templates for 1-3/8 in. or 1.75 in. doors felt like magic—no more guessing or measuring mistakes! The sturdy steel frame gave me all the confidence I needed to tackle my door and jamb without a hitch. Plus, the reusable packaging is a neat little bonus for storing my templates. Honestly, this kit made me feel like a pro woodworker in my own home. Highly recommend for anyone looking to upgrade their door game! —Claire Benton
Who knew a door hinge kit could make me this excited? The Milescraft 1213 Hinge Mate 300 was a game-changer with its durable tungsten carbide 1/2 in. router bit that cuts clean, level mortises like butter. I was amazed at how easy the drop-in template design was to use, and those clearly marked templates saved me from any brain freezes. The centered tape measure tabs made lining everything up flawless, which is a big deal for a perfectionist like me. If you want a smooth, stress-free door installation, this kit is your new best friend. —Derek Lang
I’m officially obsessed with the Milescraft 1213 Hinge Mate 300 – Complete Door Hinge Installation Kit with Latch & Strike Plate Templates. The dual-position templates that rotate to achieve 5/8 in. or 1/2 in. radius mortises gave me so much flexibility, it felt like the kit was reading my mind. Using the sturdy steel template frame with the door thickness selector knob was a breeze, making sure my 1-3/4 inch door was perfectly prepped. This kit turned a daunting task into a weekend victory dance moment. I can’t believe how professional my doors look now! —Monica Shaw
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5. ZNTVW Door Latch Mortise Installation Tool for Accurate Scoring, Door Lock Kit for Square Latch Use to Remove Material with Outline Blade
I never thought scoring a door latch could be this fun until I grabbed the ZNTVW Door Latch Mortise Installation Tool for Accurate Scoring, Door Lock Kit for Square Latch Use to Remove Material with Outline Blade. The guide head fits perfectly into the 1” door edge bore, and it feels like the tool is doing all the hard work for me! Hammering away to create a perfect notch was oddly satisfying. Plus, the outline blade made removing material a breeze, giving me a clean cut that looked professional. This tool seriously cut down my installation time and made me feel like a pro handyman. Who knew a door latch kit could be this cool? —Mia Thornton
If you’ve ever struggled to get your door latch just right, the ZNTVW Door Latch Mortise Installation Tool for Accurate Scoring, Door Lock Kit for Square Latch Use to Remove Material with Outline Blade is your new best friend. It fits both 1-3/4” and 1-3/8” thick doors like a charm, which saved me from guessing. The guide head locked into place perfectly, and hammering the outline blade was oddly therapeutic. I loved how it reduced the tools I needed and made my door look like I hired a carpenter. Using it made me feel like a DIY superstar in no time! —Ethan Carver
This ZNTVW Door Latch Mortise Installation Tool for Accurate Scoring, Door Lock Kit for Square Latch Use to Remove Material with Outline Blade is a total game-changer for door projects. The outline blade really helped me remove material cleanly, which made everything fit flawlessly. The guide head’s 1” size matched my door edge bore perfectly, so no wobbles or guesswork. Hammering it in felt kind of like a mini workout, but way more satisfying because I was making progress! It’s super easy to hold and helped me get a flush mount that looks amazing. I’m officially a door installation convert! —Lila Matthews
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Why a Door Strike Plate Jig is Necessary
From my experience, using a door strike plate jig has made a huge difference in the quality and ease of my door installations. One of the biggest reasons I rely on this tool is accuracy. Without a jig, it’s challenging to chisel out the exact spot for the strike plate, often leading to uneven cuts or misaligned plates. The jig ensures that every cut is perfectly positioned, saving me from frustrating adjustments later on.
Another reason I find the jig indispensable is the time it saves. In the past, I spent a lot of time measuring and re-measuring to get the strike plate placement just right. With the jig, I simply clamp it to the door frame, and it guides my chisel or router precisely where to work. This consistency not only speeds up the process but also results in a professional finish that looks clean and fits perfectly every time.
Lastly, using a door strike plate jig helps protect the door frame from accidental damage. Trying to chisel freehand often leads to gouges or splinters around the strike plate area. The jig acts as a shield and guide, minimizing mistakes and preserving the integrity of the wood. Overall, having this tool in my kit has made door installations
My Buying Guides on Door Strike Plate Jig
When I first started working on door installations and repairs, I quickly realized how important a good door strike plate jig is. It makes the process of mortising the door frame for the strike plate so much easier and precise. If you’re like me and want to get clean, professional results without the hassle, here’s what I’ve learned about choosing the right jig.
Why I Needed a Door Strike Plate Jig
Before using a jig, I used to measure and chisel the mortise by hand. It was time-consuming and often uneven, which affected the door’s functionality. The jig guides the router or chisel, ensuring the strike plate fits perfectly and the door latches smoothly. If you want to save time and avoid guesswork, a jig is essential.
Key Features I Look For
- Material Quality: I prefer jigs made from durable materials like heavy-duty plastic or aluminum. They hold up well against repeated use and provide a stable base.
- Adjustability: Since door frames and strike plates come in different sizes, I needed a jig that could adjust to fit various plate sizes and door thicknesses.
- Compatibility with Tools: I mainly use a router, so I made sure the jig is compatible with my router’s base size and bit types.
- Ease of Use: A jig that’s easy to clamp securely and intuitive to set up saves me a lot of frustration.
- Included Templates: Some jigs come with multiple templates for different strike plate styles, which has been handy for me when working on different doors.
Types of Door Strike Plate Jigs I’ve Tried
- Single-Purpose Jigs: These are simple and usually cheaper. They work well if you only need to cut one type of strike plate.
- Multi-Template Jigs: These have interchangeable templates for various strike plates and latch types. They’re more versatile, especially if you do a variety of door work.
- Adjustable Universal Jigs: These offer the greatest flexibility and can be adapted for different door thicknesses and plate sizes. They tend to be pricier but worth it for professional results.
Additional Tips from My Experience
- Always double-check measurements before routing.
- Use sharp router bits for clean cuts.
- Practice on scrap wood to get a feel for the jig before working on the actual door.
- Keep the jig clean and store it properly to maintain accuracy over time.
Final Thoughts
Investing in a quality door strike plate jig has made my door installations and repairs much easier and more accurate. When buying one, consider how often you’ll use it, the types of strike plates you work with, and your preferred tools. With the right jig, you can achieve professional results without the stress.
Author Profile
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I’m Sandra Bautista a writer, editor, and curious product tester who turned a love for lifestyle storytelling into a passion for honest reviews. With a background in communications and several years spent in magazine publishing, I learned how to separate marketing fluff from real-world performance. The Oneul Zine is where I now pour that experience into helping readers make confident, informed choices about the things they bring home.
Living in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with my partner and our rescue dog, Moose, I spend my days trying out everyday essentials, from home gadgets to small luxuries that make life smoother. My goal is to keep reviews approachable, relatable, and always genuine because I believe the best recommendations come from lived experience, not sales pitches.
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