Replies

1. 
   Glendo | Sep 17, 2002 04:19am | #1

   Howdy!

   Since you're painting the door kiln dried fir would work well.

   Use mortise & tennon joints and a good exterior rated glue.

   The most critical factor, apart from sound construction, is to then protect the

   door from the elements . No mater how well you build the door if it's not painted

   properly IT WILL DIE!!!!!

   If it's a panel door pre-prime the panels before assembly. Install the door and

   trim to fit, then prime and paint the door.Pay special attention to the top and

   bottom. A drip edge above the door will help, if its a vertical door. An eve will

   do even more.

   One last note, when fitting the door allow for expansion and contraction.

   A few winters of kicking the door open will compromise its integrity.

   Cheerz! Glendo.

2. 
   silver77 | Sep 17, 2002 08:19am | #2

   Best book I've seen is Doormaking by John Bichard. A very well written book. I think Taunton carries it.

   When I made a 4'x 8' solid oak church door, I used loose tenon joinery throughout. Relatively easy set up and both sides of the joint are same. A loose tenon is made from the same material. as the rest of the door. Fir is a very good choice for paint grade. 

   Fpr glue up I used plastic resin glue(the powder you mix with water) which is waterproof and has a open time of a couple of hours...which is a good thing on a door glue up.

   I did a fair amount of research and for me loose tenon joinery is the way to go. John talks about it in his book.

   silver

1. 
   badoyn | Sep 17, 2002 05:23pm | #3

   Thanks for the thoughts on the door making. I'll be looking into fir and that book.

   Also, is there a "standard" thickness of doors? I'm thinking of taking the measurements directly off the current door but making the bottom rail a bit wider so I can trim it down to fit.

   Michael

1. 
   silver77 | Sep 18, 2002 08:50am | #4

   standard thickness:1 3/8"or for exterior 1 3/4"

   top rail-5 1/4"

   side stiles-5-1/4"

   bottom rail-8"

   cheers,silver  

1. 
   badoyn | Sep 18, 2002 06:32pm | #5

   Great. Thanks for the info.

   Michael