Replies

1. 
   xMikeSmith | Dec 14, 2003 12:47am | #1

   IMMHO:   i hate split jambs...

   we use hang and trim.... and we buy either Mitered-splined-glued casing or we biscuit join our miters on site..

    i think your split-jambs are faster... but too hard to hang so they stay hung..

    since we are working on houses we built 30 years ago... and the doors still have their original reveal... i see no economy worth converting to split-jambs..

    but, to each their own....

   Mike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   andybuildz | Dec 17, 2003 03:35pm | #8

   Mike

         Geeezzz.after almost thirty years I never knew what a split jamb was...All this time I thought it was the Allman Brothers taking a break and Lynord Skynard taking over.

   Seriously though.I never even heard of it before. Probably a good thing that I haven't.

   You biscuit your trim miters? WOW..you really do rock.

   And here I am thinking how good I am using glue and brads.

   Be solid

              andy

   My life is my practice!

   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

   Edited 12/17/2003 7:36:58 AM ET by Andy Clifford(Andybuildz)

1. 
   johnharkins | Dec 17, 2003 09:23pm | #9

   thanks for the explanation *  I've never seen or heard of such a practice

   I like Andy's multiple choice answer   Allman Bros  might segue into Albert King or some John Hiatt w/ his masterful guitar buddy ( forgot his name ) on some shak a laka laka    be tuned up     John

1. 
   andybuildz | Dec 18, 2003 03:16am | #10

   Phebe Snow worksMy life is my practice!

   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

2. 
   mike4244 | Dec 14, 2003 04:11am | #2

   Tom, we only used split jambs where the walls were plaster. Saved installing extension jambs for odd thickness walls. Most of the time we made our own jambs for plastered walls. I found that split jambs were a pita to install, glad you found them easier to install than I have.

   mike

3. 
   JeffBuck | Dec 15, 2003 10:28am | #3

   I hated split jambs till I worked for a company that pretty mush used them exclusively .... then I was forced to "learn" how to hang them.

   Now ... I can hand one just about as quick as a standard ... and the trim.s up in that same one motion.

   I do think the materials used in the split jambs are a cheaper grade ....

   I even heard one guy say he hatred them because you couldn't shim?

   Either shim as norm and cut them back ... or ... do like I do ...

   Instead of shimming horizontal .... run them vertical ... up and down.

   That way ... nothing to get in the way when slipping on the other side.

   I also have a shark grip cat's paw/ pry bar combo ... it has a wide/ flat pry head ....that's tapered from the handle out ... works great for nudging that one last pin that always seems to be off ... I can keep the rest pretty much in place and work the stuck one.

   And if it taked more than a second or two for that pin to convince me it ain't going ... I pop the whole thing  and remove it. One less pin ain't gonna hurt things.

   Jeff

   Buck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

        Artistry in Carpentry                

4. 
   BossHog | Dec 15, 2003 03:16pm | #4

   This has been discussed at length more than once in this forum. You might be able to find a thread or 2 with the advanced search.

   The Beatles said All You Need Is Love and then they broke up.

5. 
   hammer1 | Dec 15, 2003 08:46pm | #5

   Splits are much quicker, less expensive and easier, but: You have to like their trim, they are not appropriate for solid doors, and they are considdered entry level by many. You can always upgrade later but it will involve some extra work. If you are painting your woodwork, prehungs can be purchased primed, saving another labor cost. Best to use the fancy stuff after the kids are grown.

1. 
   johnharkins | Dec 17, 2003 05:22am | #6

   pardon my ignorance but can someone describe split jambs for me?  thanks  John

1. 
   UncleDunc | Dec 17, 2003 05:59am | #7

   Instead of a solid jamb with applied door stop, the jamb is in two pieces, the stop is integral with one of the pieces, and the joint is behind the stop. The point of this is that they can ship the door with the trim already attached to the edges of the jamb. You take the jamb apart, slide each half into the opening from the opposite sides of the wall, and nail everything down. There's a picture at this URL.

   http://www.84lumber.com/How_To/Doors_Windows/Doors/CHP128_Prehung_Doors/index.asp