Many woodworkers are intimidated by the prospect of making raised panel doors. It’s understandable. Making frame and panel doors requires spinning big bits. This class provides you with everything you need to know to be comfortable making frame and panel doors.
We’ll start out by making sure you have all the tools you need. At the top of that list, of course, are the router bits, but in addition to choosing the right bits, you’ll need a number of other items that simplify the door making process. We’ll look at the setup required for each bit, tips for safely and accurately machining your parts, and how to correctly assemble and square up a completed door.
In this class, we’ll make a door using matched cope and stile (also called cope and stick) router bits for the frame and a panel raiser with back cutter for the panel. You’ll learn how to dimension your parts to produce the correct door size, the best way to glue up a door, and how to prevent the panel from rattling in the frame.
As with many tasks, you need to have the right tools for the job. Matched rail and stile bits, panel raiser with back cutter, a shop-made sled—there are a number of items that make frame and raised panel doors easier and safer to make. We’ll provide you with a shopping list.
The cabinet you’re working on, coupled with the door style you’ve chosen (overlay or inset), will dictate the size of your door. You also need dimensions from your cope and stile set. We’ll work through the door dimension formula step by step.
This will be fun. It’s door making time! A few things are critical for success, such as the height of the router bit and fence location. George provides tips and tricks to simplify this step, leading up to the construction of your door frame. Once we have the frame, we can measure for the panel.
We’re ready to use the big panel raising bit! Once the height is correctly set (we’ll share a tip for that), we can raise the panel. This is the last of our machining steps, meaning we’re ready to assemble the door. If it’s done correctly, we’ll have a door that’s square and has a rattle-free panel.
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.
Class Guide - Raised Panel Doors
Bonus Materials available for download after purchase.
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