Thread: My doors aren't flat.

Theres no easy fix if the timber is bowed.
If they are just twisted you may be able to fix it depending on how the frames are made.

G'day Echidna

Let's say for instance that they are just twisted. What would be the best method of straightening them:confused:
Thanx, Hellacopter1

How are the frames made?

Originally Posted by Hellacopter 1

Has anybody got any ideas about flattening them, without placing a giant wieght on them for a week?

You could try placing a giant weight on them for a fortnight!


P

Biting, I think that is a bit extreme. 10 days should do it.

Originally Posted by echnidna

How are the frames made?

They are simply glued to the front of the doors around the edge with a simple butt joint. They're about 50mm wide.
Thanx, Hellacopter1

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

You could try placing a giant weight on them for a fortnight!


P

The only problem midge, is I don't own a giant wieght.
Hellacopter1

Hellacopter,

Perhaps this unfortunate experience may encourage you to use different joints that are stronger and less likely to move.

Careful selection of the timber beforehand is important. Was the timber you used for the frame bowed before you made the door?

One byproduct of spending more time on joints is that you are more particular with your selection of timber.

Give the other joints a go, you will run into a couple of minor problems during the learning phase but it is worth it in the long run.

Hellacopter

Cut the frames off. Use the remainder (which is probably bowed) as the centre panel for your new doors. Try and flatten these as much as possible (belt sander or handplane). Build a new frame for each out of thicker stock. Cut a dado (groove) along the inside middle of each frame section. Join these together to make your frame (mitred, biscuits, dowels, mortice and tenon - whatever). Now, whatever you do, DON"T glue the panels into the frame dados. Let them lie free. The timber panels can move a little and it should not affect the door much. The difference between this design and your original one is simply that the door frames are not attached to the centre panels.

Good luck.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by Hellacopter 1

The only problem midge, is I don't own a giant wieght.
Hellacopter1

Wot? You aren't married yet?

The missus back then Bob?


P

Better start running NOW Peter, I'm just about to show her your answer.

Its quite possible to pull the twist out of a simple butt jointed door.
The gluline between the stiles and rails is very weak being an end to long grain joint,

1. Lay the door flat and fracture all the butt joints with a hammer and block of wood. The object is to fracture the glue not demolish the door so dont belt it too hard.

2.Nail some blocks to the floor and a wall so that the bottom of the door and one top
corner can sit in them and act as restraints.

3. Pull the free corner of the door so that it is twisted the same amount but in the opposite direction.

4. While its held there drill two 3/8" holes straight through the stile into the rail and knock some dowels into the holes (with plenty of glue)

5. Do this to all 4 corners of the door. Sometimes you can get the twist out with only 1 or 2 sets of dowels, if this happens dowel the remaining corners anyway.

6. After the glue sets trim the dowels back and sand the edges.