Many projects call for doors, from kitchen cabinets to vanities to jewelry armoires. There are a variety of ways to make doors, and this Make Quality Doors instructional video class will help you choose an approach that lends itself to your woodworking skills and your tools. Regardless of which of our techniques you choose, you’ll create doors that will stand the test of time.
The router table provides a great way to make frame and panel doors. You might choose to use reversible rail and stile bits, two-piece sets, vertical or horizontal panel raisers. We cover them all in this class, providing you with tips to simplify set up, use the bits safely, and make sure the cope and stile joints are a perfect fit.
SMALL SCALE DOORS
Cabinet doors are one thing. Scaled down doors for smaller projects are something else. This instructional class provides you with buying advice so you can match your router bits to the stock you’re working with, and provides approaches for safely machining smaller door parts on the router table.
UNIQUE STYLES
Frame and panel doors may not always be the best choice for your project. Bead board, a form of home siding, provides an attractive door alternative, when used correctly. Some projects may call for paint grade doors, and mdf is a great choice for these doors. Painting mdf and getting a seamless finish can be tricky, so we’ll take you through the process.
CATHEDRAL DOORS
Many woodworkers aspire to make cathedral, or arched top, doors, but are concerned about the “freehand” cutting required to shape the panel and upper rail. With the tips and tricks we provide for cathedral doors, and a little practice, you’ll be comfortable making these doors in no time.
In addition to the detailed video instruction you’ll receive, this online class provides you with some downloadable resources and helpful information to print and keep, including: A detailed Class Guide you can follow and use as a reminder for the key steps of the class instruction; and source references for the tools and material used in the class.
NOTE: This Class video instruction is also available for purchase in DVD form. If you prefer to own a physical copy, you can purchase the Class DVD here.
Class Sessions
Session 1: Getting Started
1:02
Watch the entire class start to finish before making your first door. This will provide you with an overview of the techniques and approaches. Then go back and, choosing the approach that works for you and your shop, start practicing the set ups and cutting techniques.
Session 2: Making Frames
31:44
Whether you want to make door frames with a reversible bit or two-bit set, we’ve got you covered, taking you through the process start to finish. You’ll need a sled to simplify the end grain cuts on the rails and keep it safe. We’ll show you a shop-made version and a commercially made version.
For repeatability, this instructional video provides you with tricks and short cuts you can use to set up the bits each time you make doors in your shop.
Session 3: Raising Panels
30:57
Vertical panel raisers, horizontal panel raisers and panel raisers with back cutters each have distinct advantages. Once you understand the cutters you can choose the bit that’s best suited for your shop and your projects.
Set up and use of each bit is different, too. We’ll simplify that set up process for you and make sure you’re gearing up to use the bits correctly and safely.
Session 4: Getting a Perfect Fit
19:34
If you find that the fit between the end grain cuts and long grain cuts isn’t great, you can tweak the router bits. It’s all about shims, and correctly using them to optimize the strength of the cope and stile joint.
Now that you’re ready to make frame and panel doors you need to learn to calculate the door part sizes accurately. Whether you’re working on an inset door or overlay door, we provide you with formulas for making the calculations, and show you how to determine the panel size once the frame is complete.
Session 5: Tips for Making Small Doors
11:37
As door parts get thinner, narrower and shorter, you need to change your approach to making doors. First, you’ve got to make sure the bits you’re planning on using will work with the material you’ll be cutting. Next we want to make certain that you’re safe when you’re machining those parts on the router table.
Session 6: Beyond Standard Frame and Panel Doors
37:12
There’s more to door making than frame and panel doors. Bead board, a type of siding, can be used for doors, and provides a great “cabin” look. If you’re working on a project that will be painted, instead of stained and top coated, you can make your doors from mdf. It takes paint very well, provided you follow our recipe for painting success.
Session 7: Cathedral Doors
22:37
Cathedral doors are beautiful, but can be a little intimidating to make. Making these doors safely comes from using a starter pin in the router table, and providing a landing pad where the bit can start its cut on the panel and curved rail.
Templates simplify the process of getting perfectly matching curves on the panel and curved rail, and a flush trim router bit is key to perfectly tracing the template. We provide a straight forward system for helping you make these beautiful doors.
Session 8: Class Summary
0:53
Many approaches to door making are covered in this class, designed to help you with tooling, set ups and techniques that work for you. Make some practice doors, perhaps for cabinets in your shop, and you’ll be ready to produce a room full of doors in no time.
Your Instructor
George Vondriska
George Vondriska is the Editor in Chief here at Woodworkers Guild of America and has been sharing his woodworking expertise since 1986. Apart from conducting classes at his renowned Vondriska Woodworks School, George's passion for teaching has taken him to woodworking shows nationwide and has led him to teach woodworking for prestigious organizations such as Peace Corps/Swaziland, Andersen Window, Northwest Airlines, and the Pentagon. With a wealth of published magazine articles under his belt, encompassing tool reviews and shop improvement projects, George's knowledge and skills continue to inspire woodworkers every day. To discover more about him and his school, visit georgevondriska.com.
Bonus Material
Printable Class Guide PDF
Download and print this PDF Guide to complement your Class. It’ll be a nice reference for you to keep.
Class Resource PDF
See this list of tools, suppliers and reference info related to this Class
Meet Your Instructor
Download this short video to meet your instructor George Vondriska
Bonus Materials available for download after purchase.
FAQs
How do I know what the Class covers?
Every Class has a free Preview video you can watch, to give you a flavor of the Instructor and the skills or project that will be covered. In addition, the Overview tab includes a thorough written description of the Class. And finally, each Class Session has a brief written summary of the content in that Session, including the length of each Session video. You will get a good feel for the Class content by reviewing these resources.
Do I have to be a Member of Woodworkers Guild of America to purchase a Class?
No you don’t. While Premium Members will receive regular offers for special deals on WWGOA Academy content, Classes are not reserved exclusively for Members. If you buy a Class as a non-member, we’re sure you’d also enjoy having access to our full library of great woodworking videos and articles as a Member, so give it a try.
How do I purchase a Class?
First you should decide that the Class is what you want. Review the Class Preview video and the various written descriptions of the Class and each Session before you purchase, so you have a good understanding of the Class content. When you’re ready to purchase and gain access to the Class, simply click the “Add to Cart” button, and proceed through the Checkout process.
How do I access/view my Class?
Once you’ve paid, you can access/view your Class by going to the MY ACCOUNT section of Woodworkers Guild of America. The MY ACCOUNT link is in the upper right-hand area of the website. Within your MY ACCOUNT, a section labeled “My Content” is where the class you purchased will appear, including a link to watch the video of your Class. You’ll also receive an email confirmation after your purchase, which will include a link to view your Class. You can access your Class as many times as you wish, and you’ll never lose access to your Account information. Just be sure to “Log In” for access to MY ACCOUNT.
Do I have to take the Class right away?
No. Any Class you buy will be accessible to you always. You can view your Class whenever you want, and you can view individual Sessions in whatever order you like.
Is there a limit on the times I can view my Class?
No. Your access never expires. You can view any Class you purchase as many times as you want, whenever you want.
Can I view a Class on my tablet device or mobile phone?
No problem. Most newer-model smartphones or other mobile/tablet devices with an internet connection are able to play the Class videos. Simply Log In on Woodworkers Guild of America, and you can view any Class you’ve bought through the MY ACCOUNT section. Or, you can click on the “View Class” link within the email confirmation you’ll receive upon your purchase.
How do I get access to the Bonus Materials for the Class?
Until you purchase a Class, the Bonus material (any extra videos, download materials, etc.) will not be accessible. Once you purchase a Class, and go to view your Class, each individual Bonus element is accessible by simply clicking on each item. You’ll find the Bonus Materials directly below your main Class viewer frame. You can access the bonus materials as many times as you like and/or save them to your device.
How does the Class Q&A Resource benefit work?
Once you purchase any Class, within the Class viewing page, you’ll have access to post a question, comment or tip in the Class Discussions. This is not a “live chat,” but your Class Instructor and WWGOA contributors will answer posted questions and provide tips regularly. You can also view other Class participants’ questions and input to take part in this virtual dialogue among others who have taken the Class and are willing to share tips, answers, or ideas.
Can I print out Class details?
For any Bonus Material that is a PDF Download, yes you can. Just click on the icon/button for the Bonus element you want, and print with your local printer.
What are PDF downloads?
These are simply documents, plans, or written materials that are formatted in a way to print out and retain for reference. By simply clicking on the icon/link for any PDF Download that is included with a Class, you can print that document on your own printer or simply view the contents on your computer/mobile device.
Are there any system requirements to view the Class video content?
Your Class video content is best when viewed on a computer manufactured in the past couple of years with a good broadband Internet connection (not dialup). We also highly recommend using the latest version of Firefox, Safari, or Chrome as your Internet Browser, though recent versions of Internet Explorer will work as well. The recommended screen resolution is 1024 x 768 or larger.
Why do you need my email?
We need it to acknowledge your purchase of a Class, and send you a confirmation of your transaction. Also, in order to maintain your permanent access to the Class videos, you’ll need to Log In to WWGOA.com. We guarantee that we will not share your email with any third parties. You may receive email updates from Woodworkers Guild of America from time to time, with details of new Classes and updates. You can easily unsubscribe when you receive any email.
Can I get a refund if I don’t like the Class?
Because you’ll have full access to all the materials and content that is presented in the Class immediately, we can’t offer a refund after purchase. Please review the Class Preview video and the various written descriptions of the Class and each Session before you purchase, so you have a good understanding of the Class content.
How do I contact WWGOA Academy?
If your question is about the Class content, please use the Contact Us Link – and you'll receive feedback from the Class Instructor. Even your fellow Class participants may jump in to offer tips and advice from their experience. If you have other questions or need help, you can email us at wwgoasubscription@program-director.net or call us toll-free, at 1-855-253-0822. Service Representatives will be available Monday-Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Central time, excluding normal holidays.
This site uses cookies and other technologies to track your use of the site that will allow us and our service providers and partners to enhance your experience and deliver relevant content to you. By agreeing to or closing this notice, you understand and agree to such use and data collection. For more information about our privacy practices and your choices, please visit our privacy policy and cookie notice.