Planer or Saw for internal Door trimming?

[Acrobat]

Hi all, I have a friend who has just had new carpet installed and finds that 7 doors are now scraping the new carpet, therefore need trimming a few mm's or so. Would I be better off trimming the doors with a TS55 and rail,  or a EHL 65 planer or indeed the bigger planer?
I don't currently have either the saw or planer so it may end up being my next purchase. I'm leaning towards the planer for ease of taking just a few slight shavings and sneaking up to a good trim as required, but am considering the saw for it instead for a greater range of work its capable of later on.  A dilemma. Your views welcome
thanks

 

[tjbnwi]

I use the saw saw. It works very well.

Tom

 

[Kev]

As a supportive Festoolian, I must say this up front ... "You NEED both".

Now that that's out of the way.

If you intend to mark the required height, then remove the door for cutting, probably the TS. If you are going the trim-trial-trim-trial .... path, then it's the planer (EHL65 is perfect for this).

Keep in mind that if you desire a OF2200 router, you can use a track and trim a whisker off the door as well [big grin]

For very fine final adjustment, you will certainly need a RO90 and a range of grits !!!

That's only 4 options - with 7 doors, there's another 3 Festool potentials to consider.

 

[Acrobat]

Ha ha thanks for that mate. Just read that the new TS55-R is out in August in Aus, I'm hoping it'll be the same here in NZ, so I guess that will just have to wait 'til then, shame as I'd luv it now. In the meantime I'll see about my trying old circular saw with a straight edge guide of some sort and try it with a new 60teeth blade for this job. Of course I'd like to have both the planer and saw but thats a bit pricey for me right now. Sure hope I don't bugger up her doors! [scared]

 

[Kev]

Ha ha thanks for that mate. Just read that the new TS55-R is out in August in Aus, I'm hoping it'll be the same here in NZ, so I guess that will just have to wait 'til then, shame as I'd luv it now. In the meantime I'll see about my trying old circular saw with a straight edge guide of some sort and try it with a new 60teeth blade for this job. Of course I'd like to have both the planer and saw but thats a bit pricey for me right now. Sure hope I don't bugger up her doors! [scared]

If you can lay your hands on a FLAI Mustang blade ... it turns an old saw into something special.

I have a brand new TS55 ... and I want a TS75 and a TS55R  [sad]

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Just tape the door where the saw blade will be cutting and use a sharp blade on any circular saw to make the cut.  If you're able to, scoring the cut line with a knife also helps prevent splintering and chip out.

 

[Nick C]

I use the saw-plus-guide-rail method. (It's difficult to keep the planer square to the edge when operating it sideways.) My approach:
1)  With the door in place, lay the guide rail on the carpet right next to the door.
2) Lay a carpenter's pencil flat on the guide rail, and scribe a line across the door bottom. (The line will be parallel to the floor.)
3) Take the door down, and use the guide rail and saw to cut parallel to the line. The carpenter's pencil creates a 1/8" offset, which just about compensates for the guide rail sinking into the carpet, so I allow another 3/16" for clearance.
4) Bevel or round over the cut edge before rehanging. 

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I should have also added, whatever method you decide to use, paint the top and bottom of the door to prevent moisture from getting to the bare wood or mdf or particleboard (whatever it's made of).

 

[Acrobat]

Thank you everyone for your input and advice, much appreciated. I will try the marking and taping, scribing sharp line, then trim with new saw blade as advised. I'm hopeful all the doors will go well and I dont have any slips and mark or miss-cut one!

 

[Kev]

Just a personal preference ... I like doors over carpet to have a little drag. Getting this "just right" is a real trick. The bonus of getting it right gives some dampening to the door's movement, better draft seal, etc, etc.

 

[Deansocial]

I hate thick carpets when there is a bit of drag when open but a big gap under when closed because the door strip