Best tool for cutting a door

[nousername]

Need some advice


I've got a white moulded interior door, however need to cut an inch to fit


could someone recommend the best thing to use?

 

[tinytom]

id say proberably a circular saw or even a handsaw, 25mm is just a bit much to take off with a plane

tom

 

[misterhelpful]

Moulded hollow doors shouldn't have more than ¼" taken off any single edge as there is usually only a narrow framework around the perimeter. If you are taking 1" off you may hit staples or even cut off a whole piece of framework, in which case you will need to glue a new strip in place.

 

[nousername]

Thanks for the replies

How hard is it to get a straight line with a circular saw on a door? does the saw cut in a straight line for you?

I've never used one before and don't know how they work.

 

[misterhelpful]

Some come with a guide fence which you can set to the width of the cut. This is the simplest way to use one.
If it doesn't have a fence you will have to line up the blade with the cut and clamp a straight edge to the door to guide you.
Otherwise it can be cut freehand, but if you've never used one before it can be tricky as it can wander off line.
Set the depth of the blade to ½" than the thickness of the door.

If it's just one door, I'd be tempted to stick to a handsaw.

 

[Monkeh]

Handsaws don't work so well when they come up against a staple, mind.

 

[nousername]

Some come with a guide fence which you can set to the width of the cut. This is the simplest way to use one.
If it doesn't have a fence you will have to line up the blade with the cut and clamp a straight edge to the door to guide you.
Otherwise it can be cut freehand, but if you've never used one before it can be tricky as it can wander off line.
Set the depth of the blade to ½" than the thickness of the door.

If it's just one door, I'd be tempted to stick to a handsaw.

Thanks for the reply, I was going to get this one

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/79973...Saws/DeWalt-D23550-GB-165mm-Circular-Saw-240V

Any idea if this has a guide fence to cut a straight line, to cut half an inch off each side?

 

[misterhelpful]

It does have a fence - guide/rip are the same thing. However, I dont know if it will guide a ½" cut - my own saw does, but they all vary.

If you are trimming ½" off each side you can use an electric planer and make a few passes.

 

[nousername]

May I ask what saw you have?

 

[misterhelpful]

A JCB similar to this but with 1500watt motor: http://www.choiceful.com/choiceful-id-68438-JCB-1400W-Circular-Saw-With-Laser.html
Just checked and the guide fence can be set at a minimum 10mm. I would imagine the de walt can be as well, although I can't see how the fence attaches to it.

 

[nousername]

I e-mailed Screwfix, and got this reply:

"Unfortunately this item will not cut down to half an inch as the guide is fitted to the opposite side of the sole plate to the blade."

looking at other saws but it's so confusing as they don't say whats the minimum guide fence can be set at.

Was looking at the Black & Decker CD602 Circular Saw - 1150W but again doesn't say anywhere what the minimum fence cut is.

"Bore size 16 mm" any idea what this means?

 

[misterhelpful]

It is the size of the hole in the blade for the spindle.
As I said previously, use a plane - they can shave 2-3mm off with each pass which means 4 or 5 passes on each side will have the job done in no time. It will give you a smoother finish than a saw and there is far less chance of going off line.
You can pick a pretty decent one up for around £30.

 

[Andy112285]

Best possible tool is a plunge cut circular saw on rales. It's a massive time saver compared to a plane, I use it on every door even if im just taking a few mm off.

Expensive though, my Makita set was about £500.

 

[misterhelpful]

Best possible tool is a plunge cut circular saw on rales. It's a massive time saver compared to a plane, I use it on every door even if im just taking a few mm off.

Expensive though, my Makita set was about £500.

Bit OTT for one door though!!

 

[Andy112285]

Best possible tool is a plunge cut circular saw on rales. It's a massive time saver compared to a plane, I use it on every door even if im just taking a few mm off.

Expensive though, my Makita set was about £500.

Bit OTT for one door though!!

Haha slightly yes... He did ask for the best tool!