Over the years I have become pretty good at hanging slab doors in existing opening, have all the right tools, took all the right classes, read all the right books yada, yada, yada. however there is one small problem that I can’t seem to master. Once in awhile after I bevel the hinge side, route in the hinges and hang the door, I have a wide gap that is too wide and I end up either deepening my hinge or bending the &^*%$ out of the hinge. Sometimes only a section on the gap is too wide, sometimes the whole length of the door. I usually stand the door in the opening and mark the jamb like Katz’s book shows, or if the opening is square and plumb I just bevel and route, doesn’t seem to make a difference. Any suggestions??
Thanks in advance
Jim
Replies
First of all I would check and make sure there are only 3 dimensions. If these doors of yours are entering a 4th dimension, this may be just the start of your problems.<g>
Kidding aside, I would like to say that hanging new doors perfectly in existing jambs is no easy feat, the variables coming into play are numerous.
Personaly, I would hinge and hang the door before considering to bevel the hinge side.
Beveling the latch side on doors under 2'-8" a couple or 3 degrees is standard I would have to see the door binding on the jamb before I would bevel again.
As for the variable gap, either you are taking material off of the door and creating the gap, or the existing jamb has a wow. I would consider removing the trim on the hinge side and shim the jamb to straighten the gap. Flattening the hinges would probably not be an option
Edited 3/9/2004 12:15 am ET by Turtleneck