Elevator Door? #1: Cherry Door

very beautiful manufacture and a perfect completion .good work

-- jeanmarc manosque france

Nice Lee. I guess you’re serious about the professional door maker thing huh? I’ll bet that big milling equipment is a necessity for that kinda work.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

Very nice, I have alyays thought it would be neat to make your own doors.

-- Glenn, New Mexico

Hi jeanmarc;

Thank you for your compliments.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi Chico;

Thank you.

Oh yeah, dead serious about making doors. Although usually it’s cabinet doors.

Typical home shop equipment will work fine, just not as quickly.

Freud has just come out with an exterior door set that allows full tenons. The top of the bit is removable which permits tenons as long as you’d like.

The set is designed for router tables. I have Freud door sets that are twenty years old, work quite well, and have never been sharpened!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi Bigbuck;

It is pretty cool to be able to make any type of door you would like.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Lee that is one very nice looking door. I always liked cherry wood; I guess it’s the visual depth that one can achieve with a natural finish on it. Thanks for sharing!

-- " All Things At First Appear Difficult"

Great door, and a novel installation. Not only does it maintain privacy, but it hides that ugly elevator.

-- Working at Woodworking http://www.VillageLaneFurniture.com

Lee,

This is a gorgeous door and it really helps hide the elevator door. Great job.

I assume that you are using lag screws or to support the door for finishing. This is a nice idea. I have typically used 3” screws but this approach is simply not flexible enough. The next time I am finishing a door I will have to take your approach and use longer lag screws for support.

By the way what finish routine did you use on the door?

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Great solution. The cherry is beautiful and is finished well. Thanks for sharing Lee.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

Lee: You told me the story and the results are beautiful. A great job.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Very nice looking solution to an eye sore, Lee. Beautiful job on the fit and finish. I’m finishing up a front door for my house. As soon as I find the glass I need I’ll post it. Thanks for your post.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

She’s a beauty Lee:
It’s always tougher building into a controlled space like that elevator opening. ( Lots of measurements)
Your door trim joints and the reveal are really spot on.
Did you use PL400 for the laminate?

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

Great job. Doors are a challenge and you do it well.

-- making sawdust....

Beautiful! Beautiful! Not that we expected anything else.

Are they nails you used to hold the door, while working on it?

Have a great day,

-- Bob Lance, DE

Beautiful and quality work, Lee! Great solution. Sounds like the client could afford your services.

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Hi Roger;

Thank you.

I like the clear finish on Cherry also.

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi Russel;

Thanks.

I’m not certain the building management was too happy about it.

I half expected to get a call, asking me to remove it.

And you’re right, that’s not the nicest elevator door I ever saw.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi Scott,

Thank you;

We use the lag screws since they allow us to carry the door with them, as well as use them as feet, while working on them. Plus, as shown in the picture they hold the door away from the saw horses.

Then we fill the holes with plugs.

The finish is Conversion varnish.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi Trifern;

Thank you;

There is some beautiful grain in the wood.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi Karson;

You know, no pictures didn’t happen!

Thanks,

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Ho Tim;

Thank you,

I’ll look forward to seeing your door!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi Bob;

Thanks for noticing the reveals! Surprisingly, most people don’t notice unless it’s way off.

The steel jambs were a little off plumb, which is kind of surprising. The cherry jambs are 6/4” with a rabit to act as a door stop.

We drilled the jamb pieces, did use the adhesive you mentioned in addition to self tapping metal screws. Then we plugged the holes using face grain cut with a plug cutter. They’re almost invisible.

It was a fun project.

We actually renovated several areas of the condo via the internet. The husband was in China, and the wife in Israel. The husband met me at the site, explained roughly what they wanted, and explained settlement was in three weeks, and it needed to n=be ready for them to move in.

From there I found the materials, got photographs and cut sheets and emailed to both the husband wife. Once they both approved the material choices, I emailed them a contract. The entire job was done this way and was a little unusual, with the husband a bit concerned we wouldn’t have it ready for them. Everything, including payments were done over the internet.

He also wanted me to reserve the day before moving for us to dismantle the Cherry Office suite I built for him and a few other goodies about ten years ago, and the day of moving to reassemble his office for him.

There are very few clients as good as these people.

It all worked out great.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi Mothunter;

Thank you for the kind words!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hey Lance;

Thank you. Those are lag screws.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hey Tom;

Thank you. This client could easly afford our work and is a pleasure to work with.

He called me one day to see if I could meet him at a condo which at the time was owned by the owner of the Flyers.

We walked through the place for ten minutes. Then he said, if I buy this place, can you work with my wife and get it renovated for $ 600,000. I said absolutely. He said are you sure, again the answer was yes absolutely.

Then he said if he decides to buy it I got the job. He is a very serious guy, and a very straight shooter. His word is gold.

I wish I had a hundred clients like these people.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Lee-
The door looks super. I will say its kinda strange to see a closed door with elevator buttons on the side.
As for your client, can you have him buy a condo in central texas ??? (:
I know you wish for a hundred like them, but I would settle for a dozen.
Thanks for posting

-- MISSION FURNITURE-My mission is to build furniture

Hi David;

I hear you about both the button and the client.

Thanks for the kind words.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Beaut job Lee. Do you want to swap workshops?.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

Hey Grumpy;

Thanks.

If we switch shops, then I would be Grumpy. lol

I like my shop.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Very nice work Lee !!! , the cherry looks beautiful .

-- John in Belgrave ,(Slideshow http://cid-69bce320c6d8b119.spaces.live.com/ (Website) http://www.extremebirdhouse.com

Hey John;

Thanks buddy!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Lee,
Nice door! But no hearing protection? WTF. I’m not the safety police or anything, just a carpenter who’s tired of repeating himself to everyone on the jobsite. And don’t say “My ears are already shot . . .” Save what’s left.

Yours with greatest respect,

grumpycarp

HI Grumpycart;

Thanks for the kind words on the door. 90 % of the time I do have hearing protection on.

My wife is the only one who thinks there’s something wrong with my hearing. (ha ha)

If you look at the photo at the shaper, you’ll notice at the top of the picture, earmuffs. Normally worn.

Also at every machine is a set. I do generally wear them, but they were removed for, “how’s that saying go when all the guards are removed so you can see?”

Beside, it was so noisy in the shop that day, I couldn’t hear the machines. lol

Thanks;

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Lee,

Obviously you don’t need me to tell you what to do. And that is as it should be. As a Left Coast (Californian) I am a bit of an anachronism. I will be (was) the first to fight against mandatory Helmet laws, Seat belt laws, etc.
Bottom line is personal freedom, you should be absolutely free to choose, without anyone making that decision for you.

I would also say one is an idiot not to make use of them. Ditto the hearing protection. Ear muffs on the counter is just like a helmet on the handle bars, having them in the picture really isn’t the point, they don’t really fulfill their purpose there. Likewise safety glasses on the forehead.

You do beautiful work. And people look up to you. You have taken the time to document, with great detail your endeavors. And (But) you have provided a path for others to emulate. Don’t make them shout up at you as well.

Thanks for taking this with your usual good humor and charm. I know that I’m preaching to the choir but others seeing this might take it to heed.

If I, in my time, do half of what you have done, with one fourth the aplomb, the I will consider myself a complete success.

Respectfully,

Grumpycarp

Hi Grumpycarp,

After giving your comments a bit of thought, all I can think of to say is: thank you very much!

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

That’s one nice lookin’ door!

I wonder how many nights it took for him to stop walking into it when the elevator doors opened… lol.

Great work!

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †

Hi Steve;

Thank you.

I’m not sure he told his wife he did that. Imagine her coming home and the elevator opening to a door!

Just kidding.

That’s an interesting point though.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Get it renovated for $ 600,000, I guess he didn’t balk at the price of just the wood for the door.
Probably over $1000 without any labor. The price in my area 5/4×8-16 Cherry S4S $124.9600 / EA
2×8-12 Cherry S4S $157.7900 / EA, Source http://www.fingerlelumber.com/
I’m working on a cherry table now for my office. What did you think about the two small knots
on the elevator side of the door? Did you plan your cuts to place them in that area?
Schlage Handset & Deadbolt?

-- Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

Great job!

Thanks for the post

Callum

-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/

Hi Gary;

You materials numbers are pretty close, as I recall. The project was between 4,000.and 5,000.if I remember right.

The hand set and dead bolt I’m not certain ablout.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Hi Callum;

My pleasure. Hope these posts are helping you for the future.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com