Can anyone recommend a machine tool to cut moulded panel doors to size to fit into an existing door linings. In the past I've used a panel saw and done it by hand but the last one I did was almost a write off, I was appalled at my poor workmanship probably to do with advancing years and subsequent lack of co-ordination between eye and hand or maybe it's something to do with the wine consumption at end of day.:-)
Don
A plane. Or a router if there is a bit more to remove or you have one but no plane. A circular saw and a saw board. A handyman.
In that order IMO.
A handheld circular saw is the tool. But if you're having trouble using a handsaw through coordination problems, you should perhaps consider the safety issues carefully. A CS is fine if you find a handsaw too fatiguing, but it still requires reasonable coordination and strength to be safe.
Measure the frame carefully. Make an allowance for the clearance. Take door to a wood yard and have them reduce on a proper saw bench for you for a "drink"
Far safer and probably more accurate
Don,
No offence intended, but it may be better now to get someone else to do it for you - because if you are having difficulty using hand tools (because of the lack of co-ordination, the wine consumption or both) then the effects will be multiplied when using power tools, and a possible loss of fingers or hand may be the result.
Cash
Yes, thank you all for advice and I mean that sincerely. However, I'm inclined to have a go with a hand saw. Since my first posting, I've remembered that cutting the top or bottom of the door, means you are mainly cutting with the grain rather than across, which is difficult with a fine toothed panel saw with which I had the problems originally. I probably require a rip saw which if I remember rightly has larger teeth and would keep to a line much better when cutting with the grain. No problems with the sides, I can plane them but I don't fancy planing approx
20mm off the top of the door. Can you buy rip saws these days? any recommendations? Don
I'd recommend that you get a pull saw designed for trimming hung doors. I've used one successfully in the past. I prefer using a hand pull saw to unhanging the door and using a power tool.
I suggest you use a soft pencil to mark the cut on the door. I find it very easy to follow the line and the blade on the pull saw is broad so that it doesn't tend to wander off the cut. You simply have to adapt your style to the job and work relatively slowy and methodically. The last thing you want is a ragged cut or a splintered door. Because it's a pull say, make sure you work on the opposite side to the "good" side. In my home this means that the "good" side is considered to be the one facing the hall. YMMV.
This is the type of saw that I use:
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