Replies

1. 
   philip | Jun 20, 2005 08:19am | #1

   Hi Chuck,
   You will get better answers to your question if you say what equipment you have to work with.
   In theory ,for strong doors , you should be using mortice and through tenons,preferably wedged-but are you able to do these with your equipment and how many doors-just one or two?

1. 
   10fingers | Jun 21, 2005 12:53am | #3

   Hello,

   thanks for the reply.  I have the standard tools, tablesaw, bandsaw, numerous hand planes, and a small drill press.  I don't have a mortiser, wish I did.  If I do the mortise & tenion route, it will be by hand.  I only have two doors to do and figure it will take 6 sets of m&t per door.  I am asking for help because I don't want to ruin the Spanish cedar I have.  The hollow core doors are ruined due to expanding with the rain last year.  I guess I didn't put enough paint on the top of the doors.

   I may ask around the cabinet shops and see how much it would cost to have the pieces morticed for loose tenions.  Money is tight, but replacing the wood is definitely not in the budget.

   Chuck in Texas

1. 
   philip | Jun 21, 2005 01:26am | #4

   Hi Chuck,
   I suggest you get a cabinet shop to cut your mortises in the styles only, then you can use your table saw and band saw to do the tenons. This would give the strongest option.
   Second choice would be to have a cabinet shop do mortices in both rails and styles, and you then fit your "loose" tenons-may not be as strong, but not a bad way to go.
   I would favour using the same wood as the rest of it if you go for the second option.
   Sounds like you also need to put in a drip rail as well, to help with moisture control.

2. 
   jackplane | Jun 20, 2005 06:21pm | #2

   If you have a horizontal mortiser, loose tenons are faster and easier.

   Otherwise, traditional mortise and tenons are very strong joints. I recommend them for doors especially.

    

3. 
   JeffHeath | Jun 21, 2005 06:34am | #5

   Chuck

   I agree with Mookaroid.  Doors have a lot of weight, and have a lot of stress put on them.  M & T joints are definately the strongest joint for your situation.  If you only have 2 doors to make, it won't be too much work.  You can drill out the mortices with a forstner bit on the drill press, and finish em off with a chisel.

   In my humble opinion, why build any of it unless you're gonna build ALL of it.

   Jeff

4. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 21, 2005 07:43pm | #6

   Just me.. I build a lot of doors... I just like making them.. Usually really old doors you can not find replacements for..

   My 2 cents..... Go with the mortise and tenons... More work but I think are stronger.. Not sure why I think that because I have never had problems with loose ones.. But then again I never used loose ones in doors...

   I use loose tenons on almost all other work I do...

   EDIT:

   You said Spanish Cedar ... I never used it for large projects but.. The wood is pretty soft and some can leak ALOT of sap... However, it seems pretty stable after cutting it.. Just small stuff made of it for me... A chest and some boxes... Nice to work but I have no idea about using it for a big door.. I would think it would be OK if you keep it thick as possible...

   
   

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   Edited 6/21/2005 1:34 pm ET by Will George