Spruce door test run

[mopowers]

The plan is to make all the doors in my house. I have one condition, it has to be on the cheap. I can go to a box store and buy a decent looking mdf raised panel slab for $15 but thats not the cheap i am looking for. I have a habit of culling clear 2x framing lumber whenever i receive a lumber delivery for a job. I decided to build my first interior door from some of this spruce lumber as a test run. I wanted to see how it would come out aesthetically and how it would hold up over time. It will most likely be quite a while before i get around to building the rest of the doors.  

Most all of the techniques i used to build the door came from ideas i have previously seen on the FOG. Obviously the Domino XL is the proper tool for the job but i don't own one... yet. i like to think by the time i get around to building the rest of the doors i will own a XL and OF 2200.

One thing i was worried about was all of the dominos lining up when the door was assembled. I did not want to make any of the domino mortises oversized, i was afraid of loosing any strength advantage from a tight fitting domino on both sides of the mortise. It was no problem at all for all 16 dominos on each side to line up. So either i was incredibly accurate with every one of the 70+ mortises i made  (not likely) or the spruce was soft enough to compress around any domino's that were slightly out of alignment.  
 

 

[Vindingo]

That's a good looking door.  I have no need for one, but those photos makes me want a domino.  

Were the 2x's kiln dried? How long did you have the lumber for before you milled it?  It seems like most of the framing lumber around here is dripping wet at the yard.    

 

[jonny round boy]

Nice job - I like it. Nice & simple.

How many do you have to do for the rest of the house?

 

[dltflt]

Nice looking door.

 

[mopowers]

Were the 2x's kiln dried? How long did you have the lumber for before you milled it?  It seems like most of the framing lumber around here is dripping wet at the yard.    

Ya, the framing lumber is not ideal but the price is right. The moisture content was actually the least of my worries. Yes it is all kiln dried.  These boards have been in the shed for a few years. They even sat inside for a few weeks (wood heat) before i got around to using them. I dont have a moisture meter but i feel  good about the wood being dry and stable. The biggest issue i had was having enough thickness left over after flattening the lumber. I was able to get flat stock and still keep the door 1 1/4" thick. I had to be really selective with the 2x's i chose for the stiles.  I would prefer 1 3/8" but after hanging the door i do not notice it feeling thin.    

jonny- I have 6 more interior doors and 2 exterior. For the exterior doors i plan to use fir and will wait on those until i have a Domino XL. I am not confident enough in the strength of the small dominos for an exterior door.

 

[Brice Burrell]

You know it really wouldn't be more expensive to forgo the framing lumber and get proper kiln dried lumber.  If fact you might be able to get it for less.  BTW, the door looks good, well, except that cheap ugly looking doorknob. [tongue] [big grin]

 

[mopowers]

You know it really wouldn't be more expensive to forgo the framing lumber and get proper kiln dried lumber.  If fact you might be able to get it for less.

Really? What and where can i get lumber or less than $0.64 a BF?

Yup, bottom shelf door knob.

 

[Scott B.]

Where in vt are you?

 

[jacko9]

That's a good looking door.  I have no need for one, but those photos makes me want a domino.  

Were the 2x's kiln dried? How long did you have the lumber for before you milled it?  It seems like most of the framing lumber around here is dripping wet at the yard.    

Nice looking door and I agree that cutting those slots with a pencil line as reference with the tightest fitting would only would only work if both the beech and spruce had enough give to get that great fit-up.

Vince, If you go the Domino route get the XL 700, I have both and I swear by the larger machine.

Jack