I had to hang a couple of doors for a mate, 2' 6" the linings were installed by someone else, not 100% plumb but not too bad, have seen worse. Both linings measured 30" across + / - a small amount

Q is.  Whats the general view on butt hinges, should they always be let into the door and lining?

On the two i did, one i let the hinges into the door but if i let them into the lining aswell then the gap would not have been equal all the way round, the other one i let the hinge into the door and also had to let the lower hinge into the lining but not the upper.

I know that this could be down to linings not being 100% true, but to be honest it looked as though if they were completely true then it would have meant that both would have needed letting in on the door but not the linings.

Whats your views

Cheers

These door linings must have been further 'out' than you realised if the hinges could not all be rebated flush with both the door and the lining.

Were these new doors?  If so they should have been a tight fit, usually needing a bit off.  ???

Jerry

Yes new doors, they only needed trimming / shooting  top and bottom had i taken any off the sides then the gap would have been too much down both sides

I think you must be right - the door linings must have been out of plumb more than i thought - had it not been plastered i could have packed them out some.

Guess this is part of the problem of finishing a job someone else started

Keith - Good point hadn't thought of that.  They seem to shut and open OK - they are in a rented property and my m8 (the landlord) is happy enough as he was there when i hung them so saw the problems first hand

greg, woodsmith is correct if you hang the door to match an out of plumb lining the door will forever swing open or shut.

if this is one of the problems you had with your mates doors the solution is to hang the door vertically

greg, i noticed one of your comments about NOT moving the lining because the wall was plastered. that is one of the reasons why architrave is used, so you can move the lining and it not be seen