Replies

1. 
   user-148830 | Oct 20, 2008 06:53pm | #1

   Stephen,
   I have never been in the door production business. I imagine there are a number of different routes you could take with your machinery purchases.

   You could get a shaper and chain type mortiser. You could go with plunge routers or a Multi-router set-up. Perhaps a slot mortiser would work better on the doors and a shaper set-up for panels and windows.

   However if you have no experience in the field, I wouldn't buy a thing until I spent some time investigating the market, cost of production, and sales opportunities. There are production shops out there you could also visit for ideas on this type of product. Good luck.

   Gary

2. 
   Glendo | Oct 30, 2008 07:03am | #2

   When I built my home about 20 years ago I built all the doors and windows with a good solid flat bench, a table saw, a router, a chop saw, lots of sturdy clamps and quality cutters. These are the basics. For production work there are specialized machines which are faster and more accurate and much more expensive.

   In my woodworking business I build among other things,reproductions of arts and crafts style doors and windows which are fairly straight forward and Spanish styles which are more ornate. The only other pieces of equipment I use now are a stationary morticer a large band saw and a shaper.

   It helps to have a background in building construction and woodworking and to know the local weather conditions where the product will be installed. If your doors and windows warp leak crack or allow the breezes to blow freely you will not have happy customers.

   Good luck,Glendo.