Straight Edge to Cut Door

Find a 8ft length of heavy aluminum angle, OR 8ft lenght of steel stud
and use that as a straight edge.

Of course, running it thru a tablesaw using the fence will do the same
thing, probably more accurately, and a whole lot less hassle

Other option would be a length of Melamine shelving in 8ft length

John

On Wed, 02 Jun 2004 11:52:33 GMT, "Buck Turgidson" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Probably a silly question, but it has been bugging me. I need to trim about
>1/8" off some door slabs that I am installing. I'd prefer to cut rather
>than plane or sand.
>
>The problem is finding an 8' board that is straight. I thought I found one
>only to find that either it warped on the way home from Home Despot, or I am
>blind.
>
>I have tried fake wood panel trim, only to find that most of it is not
>straight either.
>
>Can someone suggest an economical material or product that is reasonably
>straight enough? I have seen a fancy saw guide that Tommy Silva used, but
>not sure I wanna sink the bucks into it.
>

Subject: Straight Edge to Cut Door
From: "Buck Turgidson" [email protected]
Date: 6/2/2004 7:52 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Message-id: <[email protected]>

Probably a silly question, but it has been bugging me. I need to trim about
1/8" off some door slabs that I am installing. I'd prefer to cut rather
than plane or sand.

The problem is finding an 8' board that is straight. I thought I found one
only to find that either it warped on the way home from Home Despot, or I am
blind.

I have tried fake wood panel trim, only to find that most of it is not
straight either.

Can someone suggest an economical material or product that is reasonably
straight enough? I have seen a fancy saw guide that Tommy Silva used, but
not sure I wanna sink the bucks into it.

> Like this using mdf to make the "edge" and 1/4" plywood
> for the bottom:
>
> http://www.woodworkingtips.com/etips/etip022500wb.html

Exactly.

>
> MDF - nuthin' straighter. At 19 bux, it's cheaper than plywood here
(albeit
> heavier).
> Also - it's 97 inches, an extra inch for clamping.
>

Thanks. I'll look at using some MDF for a straight edge. I still prefer to
use a straight edge in a "saw board" type jig as Swingman described above,
rather than using it directly, since I can quickly see exactly where the cut
line is, rather than eyeballing it.

I'm trimming about 20 solid core doors now and have found that the
easiest way to do it is to use a router with a 1/2" roughing end mill.

Three passes is easiest for me, about 1/2" of depth with each pass.

For a straight edge to guide on I use a 3" wide piece of 3/4 plywood.
If your saw won't give a good edge use the factory edge of the plywood
to guide on. I get absolutely no splintering with this method.

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PARTPG=INLMKD&PMPXNO=8689242&PMAKA=BU321-7080

RB

Buck Turgidson wrote:
> Probably a silly question, but it has been bugging me. I need to trim about
> 1/8" off some door slabs that I am installing. I'd prefer to cut rather
> than plane or sand.
>
> The problem is finding an 8' board that is straight. I thought I found one
> only to find that either it warped on the way home from Home Despot, or I am
> blind.
>
> I have tried fake wood panel trim, only to find that most of it is not
> straight either.
>
> Can someone suggest an economical material or product that is reasonably
> straight enough? I have seen a fancy saw guide that Tommy Silva used, but
> not sure I wanna sink the bucks into it.
>
>

"J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> xrongor wrote:
>
> > a string will get you a nice straight line, wont take up much storage
> > space in the garage, and you already have some.
>
> Kind of hard to find string that you can pull tight enough to be able to
use
> it to guide the saw though.

i guess i should have said chaulk line. even if this isnt good enough to
make the finished cut, it should do fine to make the guide with out of
something else. i realize some people are more skillfull with a circular
saw than others though so your mileage may vary.

randy

>> Next step up is to make a saw guide out of 1/4" plywood and the
straightest
>> angle aluminum of sufficient length that you can find.

This is the method that I am using, except for a 1-by board instead of alum.
I'll look into finding some alum. Or perhaps the factory edge of plywood,
over top another piece of plywood.

I also have considered using the old door itself, since it seems pretty
straight.

Rip a factory edge off an 8' piece of plywood about 3" wide. Place it on top
of a an 8' piece 1/4" tempered hardboard that's about a foot wide such that
the plywood edge you ripped is on the left and lines up with the edge of the
hardboard. Nail/glue/screw the two together.

When the pair is as one, clamp it to a bench such that the plywood/hardboard
portion is on the bench and the "just hardboard" portion is hanging in
space. Take your circ saw and cut the hardboard for the full 8' length using
the factory edge of the plywood as a guide for your saw.

You how have a saw guide that's made to fit your saw and your blade exactly.
Line the new cut in the hardboard up along the line of the door you wish to
cut, clamp it and go....

Cheap and simple and accurate.

Good luck
Rob

--


http://www.robswoodworking.com

"Buck Turgidson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Probably a silly question, but it has been bugging me. I need to trim
about
> 1/8" off some door slabs that I am installing. I'd prefer to cut rather
> than plane or sand.
>
> The problem is finding an 8' board that is straight. I thought I found
one
> only to find that either it warped on the way home from Home Despot, or I
am
> blind.
>
> I have tried fake wood panel trim, only to find that most of it is not
> straight either.
>
> Can someone suggest an economical material or product that is reasonably
> straight enough? I have seen a fancy saw guide that Tommy Silva used, but
> not sure I wanna sink the bucks into it.
>
>

"Buck Turgidson" wrote in message

> Can someone suggest an economical material or product that is reasonably
> straight enough? I have seen a fancy saw guide that Tommy Silva used, but
> not sure I wanna sink the bucks into it.

Most economical is the factory edge of a sheet of plywood ... it should be
straight enough for your purpose and a bit of lengthwise bow won't hurt
because you will be clamping it securely to the door. The problem with using
it as a saw guide is placing it the precise distance back from the proposed
cut line, but it can be done with precision if done carefully.

Next step up is to make a saw guide out of 1/4" plywood and the straightest
angle aluminum of sufficient length that you can find.

Simply attach, with counter sunk bolts, the aluminum to the plywood, cut
purposely wider than the base of your circular saw on the overhang side.
Then run the circular saw along the aluminum guide, cutting of the excess
plywood ... the resulting edge can now be used to line up with your proposed
cut line on the door and you will be assured of reasonable precision.

Next up is one of the commercial saw guides.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 5/15/04

MDF with a 1/4" plywood base will work just fine. I
would use 1/2" mdf. I belive that sells for around
$12 a sheet.


Buck Turgidson wrote:

> Probably a silly question, but it has been bugging me. I need to trim about
> 1/8" off some door slabs that I am installing. I'd prefer to cut rather
> than plane or sand.
>
> The problem is finding an 8' board that is straight. I thought I found one
> only to find that either it warped on the way home from Home Despot, or I am
> blind.
>
> I have tried fake wood panel trim, only to find that most of it is not
> straight either.
>
> Can someone suggest an economical material or product that is reasonably
> straight enough? I have seen a fancy saw guide that Tommy Silva used, but
> not sure I wanna sink the bucks into it.
>
>

Like this using mdf to make the "edge" and 1/4" plywood
for the bottom:

http://www.woodworkingtips.com/etips/etip022500wb.html



Buck Turgidson wrote:

>>MDF - nuthin' straighter. At 19 bux, it's cheaper than plywood here
>
> (albeit
>
>>heavier).
>>Also - it's 97 inches, an extra inch for clamping.
>>
>
>
> Thanks. I'll look at using some MDF for a straight edge. I still prefer to
> use a straight edge in a "saw board" type jig as Swingman described above,
> rather than using it directly, since I can quickly see exactly where the cut
> line is, rather than eyeballing it.
>
>

I've used a drywall T-Squre with pretty good success.
Just use some clamps on each end to hold it down.



"Buck Turgidson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Probably a silly question, but it has been bugging me. I need to trim
about
> 1/8" off some door slabs that I am installing. I'd prefer to cut rather
> than plane or sand.
>
> The problem is finding an 8' board that is straight. I thought I found
one
> only to find that either it warped on the way home from Home Despot, or I
am
> blind.
>
> I have tried fake wood panel trim, only to find that most of it is not
> straight either.
>
> Can someone suggest an economical material or product that is reasonably
> straight enough? I have seen a fancy saw guide that Tommy Silva used, but
> not sure I wanna sink the bucks into it.
>
>

"Buck Turgidson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Probably a silly question, but it has been bugging me. I need to trim
about
> 1/8" off some door slabs that I am installing. I'd prefer to cut rather
> than plane or sand.
>
> The problem is finding an 8' board that is straight. I thought I found
one
> only to find that either it warped on the way home from Home Despot, or I
am
> blind.
>
> I have tried fake wood panel trim, only to find that most of it is not
> straight either.
>
> Can someone suggest an economical material or product that is reasonably
> straight enough? I have seen a fancy saw guide that Tommy Silva used, but
> not sure I wanna sink the bucks into it.

For about $15 bucks you can get a circlular saw guide at the Borg. That's
what I did. It's made specifically for this type of job. It's aluminum and
just clamps to the door slab. I can't find one on the Home Depot web site
(Then again I can never seem to locate anything on their website) - but I
purchased one there. It is similar to this:

http://www.aubuchonhardware.com/product_page.asp?prod=304786&CMP=OTC-shoppingdotcom&DATA=304786

xrongor wrote:

> a string will get you a nice straight line, wont take up much storage
> space in the garage, and you already have some.

Kind of hard to find string that you can pull tight enough to be able to use
it to guide the saw though.

>
> randy
>
> "Buck Turgidson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Probably a silly question, but it has been bugging me. I need to trim
> about
>> 1/8" off some door slabs that I am installing. I'd prefer to cut rather
>> than plane or sand.
>>
>> The problem is finding an 8' board that is straight. I thought I found
> one
>> only to find that either it warped on the way home from Home Despot, or I
> am
>> blind.
>>
>> I have tried fake wood panel trim, only to find that most of it is not
>> straight either.
>>
>> Can someone suggest an economical material or product that is reasonably
>> straight enough? I have seen a fancy saw guide that Tommy Silva used,
>> but not sure I wanna sink the bucks into it.
>>
>>

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Using the factory edge of plywood is great. But one step
more: Cut a 2" strip w/ factory edge,
them fold it over onto plywood. Glue it down, FE to the
inside. Make a cut using the FE, now you
have something to line up w/ your cut mark


wingman wrote:

> "Buck Turgidson" wrote in message
>
>
>>Can someone suggest an economical material or product that is reasonably
>>straight enough? I have seen a fancy saw guide that Tommy Silva used, but
>>not sure I wanna sink the bucks into it.
>
>
> Most economical is the factory edge of a sheet of plywood ... it should be
> straight enough for your purpose and a bit of lengthwise bow won't hurt
> because you will be clamping it securely to the door. The problem with using
> it as a saw guide is placing it the precise distance back from the proposed
> cut line, but it can be done with precision if done carefully.
>
> Next step up is to make a saw guide out of 1/4" plywood and the straightest
> angle aluminum of sufficient length that you can find.
>
> Simply attach, with counter sunk bolts, the aluminum to the plywood, cut
> purposely wider than the base of your circular saw on the overhang side.
> Then run the circular saw along the aluminum guide, cutting of the excess
> plywood ... the resulting edge can now be used to line up with your proposed
> cut line on the door and you will be assured of reasonable precision.
>
> Next up is one of the commercial saw guides.
>

"Buck Turgidson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> Can someone suggest an economical material or product that is reasonably
> straight enough? I have seen a fancy saw guide that Tommy Silva used, but
> not sure I wanna sink the bucks into it.

MDF - nuthin' straighter. At 19 bux, it's cheaper than plywood here (albeit
heavier).
Also - it's 97 inches, an extra inch for clamping.

a string will get you a nice straight line, wont take up much storage space
in the garage, and you already have some.

randy

"Buck Turgidson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Probably a silly question, but it has been bugging me. I need to trim
about
> 1/8" off some door slabs that I am installing. I'd prefer to cut rather
> than plane or sand.
>
> The problem is finding an 8' board that is straight. I thought I found
one
> only to find that either it warped on the way home from Home Despot, or I
am
> blind.
>
> I have tried fake wood panel trim, only to find that most of it is not
> straight either.
>
> Can someone suggest an economical material or product that is reasonably
> straight enough? I have seen a fancy saw guide that Tommy Silva used, but
> not sure I wanna sink the bucks into it.
>
>

>"Buck Turgidson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Probably a silly question, but it has been bugging me. I need to trim
>about
>> 1/8" off some door slabs that I am installing. I'd prefer to cut rather
>> than plane or sand.
>>
>> The problem is finding an 8' board that is straight. I thought I found
>one
>> only to find that either it warped on the way home from Home Despot, or I
>am
>> blind.
>>
>> I have tried fake wood panel trim, only to find that most of it is not
>> straight either.
>>
>> Can someone suggest an economical material or product that is reasonably
>> straight enough? I have seen a fancy saw guide that Tommy Silva used, but
>> not sure I wanna sink the bucks into it.
>>
>>
>
The factory edge of hardwood plywood is usually pretty good. Or why
not use another one of the doors?

Paul

Go your local metal supplier and buy a piece of angle iron.
"Buck Turgidson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Probably a silly question, but it has been bugging me. I need to trim
about
> 1/8" off some door slabs that I am installing. I'd prefer to cut rather
> than plane or sand.
>
> The problem is finding an 8' board that is straight. I thought I found
one
> only to find that either it warped on the way home from Home Despot, or I
am
> blind.
>
> I have tried fake wood panel trim, only to find that most of it is not
> straight either.
>
> Can someone suggest an economical material or product that is reasonably
> straight enough? I have seen a fancy saw guide that Tommy Silva used, but
> not sure I wanna sink the bucks into it.
>
>

...a piece of dry wall ...?

Use one of the other doors as your straight edge.