Thread: External French Doors

I suggest Australian Red Cedar

Also, I've looked into doing ssomething similar and the nearest French door router bit I can find is this one from Lee Valley Reversible French Door & Window Sash Bit - Lee Valley Tools

Originally Posted by ian

I suggest Australian Red Cedar

Also, I've looked into doing ssomething similar and the nearest French door router bit I can find is this one from Lee Valley Reversible French Door & Window Sash Bit - Lee Valley Tools

Thanks Ian. Being the noted tight ass that I am (as well as wanting to employ my potential hand skills - lol) I'll try the M & T joints by hand.

They are are relatively simple door with a single glass panel in a simple rebate. This tempts me to have a shot.

Where in Brissy is Western Red available - southside?

Les

that bit I linked to is not designed to make stick and cope M&Ts.
It's intended to make the glazing profile used on a typical French door.

If it's a simple door you need, you may find it difficult to beat the cost of a standard pre-made door like this one


I've looked into making a new door for my place and, fior standard sizes, the wood would cost me almost as much as a manufactured door
to which I'd need to add the glazing

Western Red Cedar would be fine, but I would have thought Aus Red Cedar was not suitable for outside uses, it rots too easily. Plenty of Ausy hardwoods would be Ok though if you want to use an Ausy timber

Originally Posted by ian

Les

that bit I linked to is not designed to make stick and cope M&Ts.
It's intended to make the glazing profile used on a typical French door.

If it's a simple door you need, you may find it difficult to beat the cost of a standard pre-made door like this one


I've looked into making a new door for my place and, fior standard sizes, the wood would cost me almost as much as a manufactured door
to which I'd need to add the glazing

Thanks Ian. Your picture is similar to what I have, but without the lattice work.

I intend to reuse the glass panel as it is still good.

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Western Red Cedar would be fine, but I would have thought Aus Red Cedar was not suitable for outside uses, it rots too easily. Plenty of Ausy hardwoods would be Ok though if you want to use an Ausy timber

I was thinking about using Tassie oak, but I notice some guys saying it's not too good outdoors?

Having said that, it would be painted or clear finished depending how it turns out. It may be an ambitious project for me, but I would like to try.

We originally got them second hand about 20 years ago, but they have come to the end of their life.

Have you looked new guinie rosewood? A lot of cabinet makers use it. Easy to get, pretty low cost, easy to work.
Just a choice)

Originally Posted by The_Fixer

Thanks Ian. Your picture is similar to what I have, but without the lattice work.

I intend to reuse the glass panel as it is still good.

reusing the glass might be a challenge. Not only will you need to get it out without breaking, but the size of the opening in your new door will need to match that in the existing door within a mm or so.

The glass is only held in with like 1/4" sq timber strips. I have cut silicone embedded windows a few times so do have some skills there. The glass is 6mm thick and should be reasonably easily handled.

Had lots of experience fixing broken windows. I had broken 13 of them by the time I was 7. Dad was getting a bit peeved by now, and started making me do the dirty work. Got good at it too. Still love the smell of fresh putty.

Anyway, with a budget in mind, it's worth a try and to learn some new skills. The router and a chisel should handle the glass rebates fine.

Hadn't thought about New Guinea Rosewood. I only mentioned Tassie oak as it seems fairly hard and readily available.

From the Australian Timber Buyers Guide

New Guinea Rosewood -- heartwood classed as durable, sapwood susceptable to attack by Lyctus borer

Western Red Cedar -- heartwood is one of the most durable of all teh commercial softwoods

Tassie Oak -- heartwood is moderately durable, sapwood susceptable to attack by Lyctus borer

Australian Red Cedar -- heartwood is moderately durable, sapwood susceptable to Lyctus borer attack

King William Pine -- heartwood is very durable

Meranti -- Light Red Meranti is clssed as non- or moderately durable, it is susceptable to attack by Lyctus borer. Dark Red Meranti is classed as durable. However, I don't know how to tell them apart.

Thanks Ian and everyone else for your input.

Will have to think and make some decisions now.

I have lots of french doors and old windows in my house that I have restored and clear finished. Australian red cedar is hopeless as it loses its colour within 12 months. Silky oak is great. There is a demonlition yard at tweed call Red Neds, they have sets of french doors for under $200 in most sizes. They are well worth a look.

Originally Posted by zanev00

I have lots of french doors and old windows in my house that I have restored and clear finished. Australian red cedar is hopeless as it loses its colour within 12 months. Silky oak is great. There is a demonlition yard at tweed call Red Neds, they have sets of french doors for under $200 in most sizes. They are well worth a look.

Thanks zane, will look into it...