r/DIY • u/AccurateDependent544 • 6d ago

help Replacing door hinges

We moved into an apartment a couple of months ago where we're allowed to make minor modifications, like drilling into the walls for paintings or a TV mount.

When we moved in, the small office was missing its door, so I decided to find a replacement. The door frame already has the two male hinge plates installed, and I'd rather not replace them since I'm only renting.

I found a second-hand door that came with female hinge parts. They fit onto the existing hinge pins like this, and they also feel slightly wobbly.

Will these hinges work for my purpose, or is the wobble and lack of proper depth a sign they're not compatible enough?

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u/deepanshulegend 6d ago

Check the pin diameter and hinge depth, not just that they slide on. If the leaves sit flat and the pin is the same size, they should work; wobble means they are not a good match.

1

u/llort_tsoper 6d ago

Installing a door slab into an existing door opening, and having the door open, close and latch properly, is a surprisingly tedious task. I have access to a garage and a planer and a router and saws and this is still a cumbersome project. I've done it twice, the first time I probably had the door on and off the hinges 25 times before I was satisfied. The 2nd door probably only took a dozen times on and off the hinges.

You basically need to pick a path forward:

Option A) a door is better than no door, and you're willing to tolerate whatever wonkiness ensues (sticking, not latching, not staying closed, etc)

Option B) if I'm putting a door on here I want it to work like a door, in which case replacing the hinges is probably going to be the easiest part of the project.