odd sized door frame

[pb21]

I need to fit new doors but left these till last whilst renovating and didnt consider new frames as they were ok, I just chucked out the old doors as the previous owners left them in an appalling state.

most bar one are 78 x 30 so no problem there plus I kept all the hinges so no problems fitting them.

The odd one is 78 x 29 so the question is what do I do?

If I have to cut the door back down a long edge will that cause a problem?

I assume I dont cut down the lock side.

regards in advance.

Peter

 

[IanDB]

I used to own an old house where no two doorways were the same and I spent many happy hours trying to get the new doors to fit.

I would take 1/2" off each edge so that you get a balanced finish. You won't lose any strength.

You only start to run into problems when you take off so much that you run into the joints of the cross members - then you have got problems!

 

[pb21]

thanks Iandb half inch off each side it is then.

one last thought do I mark up either side and cut with a fine jigsaw or buy an electric planer?

regards
Peter

 

[masona]

electric planer and a bit at a time !

 

[DAZB]

To rip a length off each side it is easier to use a circular saw with the fence set to 10mm and then finish each side with 2 passses of 1mm each side with a planer.

 

[pb21]

Thanks guys I will use an electric planer and take a little off at a time, I tried using my friends circular saw once and its a horrible piece of kit in the wrong hands always wanting to jump about all over the place. I dont want to end up like the Kenny Everit character always cutting body parts off during DIY (cannot remember his name!)

cheers

 

[king.module]

I dont want to end up like the Kenny Everit character always cutting body parts off during DIY (cannot remember his name!)

cheers

good ole' Reg Prescott - pmsl

so why with the planer and not a jig saw then?? i need to replace 4 doors and will need to take off at least 1" from each door - i was expecting to just to knock off 1/2" from each side with a jig saw (with one of those distance locks (?) that run down the edge of the item ~so the cut doesn't go all wavey davey) - and then run over the new edge with a bit of fine sandpaper

jobs a good un - well that's what i thought but obviously there's a problem with that???

 

[IanDB]

I must admit I used a jig saw to get the majority of the excess off my doors but then evened everything off with a decent hand plane. I found it easier to use than an electric planer and less dusty. I think you might have problems using sand paper. A plane will take an even strip off the whole width of the door and give you a nice edge.

 

[king.module]

I must admit I used a jig saw to get the majority of the excess off my doors but then evened everything off with a decent hand plane. I found it easier to use than an electric planer and less dusty. I think you might have problems using sand paper. A plane will take an even strip off the whole width of the door and give you a nice edge.

well that's fair enough then :O)

reckon i'll give it a go with the s/p idea and if it goes wrong i'll re-use the door for the 'next size down' door frame - lol

tatar...

 

[masona]

The electric planer will shave off the door flat and square, I can take 3mm at a time with my planer so shouldn't take too long.

A circular saw is okay but I feel it could scratch the door surface.

A jig-saw would be difficult to get a very straight line plus the blade will bend outward slightly if you apply pressure.