large doors - Small stock

If you want to use a two piece stile just overlap two peices by about 8-12 inches with a half lap joint.

That much glue surface should be more than enough.

Keep us posted.

-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX

This would be a good project for http://www.delphiforfun.org/Programs/CutList.htm. You can put in the size of the peices you need and what size you have laying around. Then it will look to see how it can get the most out of what you have.

-- Owner of custom millwork shop

I am making a bed for my grandaughter. The bedhead posts were too short & I thought of joining them together to get the desired length but then I thought there will always be a use for the shorter lengths on some other projects. i went out and bought the correct lengths. As I say you can always use the scraps.

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

agreed… yesterdays goof can be well stored and used later.

-- making sawdust....

It’s all about good design and workmanship. Even though lap joints are used all the time, I wouldn’t rank them up there with joints that will last the test of time, even with the new glues that are usually stronger than the wood.
I agree with Grumpy and motthunter. Pay me now or pay me later.

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

Thanks for all the posts but I may or may not need to qualify. I think what I’m wondering about more than making the stiles out of two pices lap jointed together is whether i can make the 3 rails run the full width of the door. that way the stiles can just connect the bottom rail to the center and the center to the top? Then the stiles wouldn’t need to run the full length. I hope that makes some more sense.
Thanks again!

That’s not “good design”. Your door will want to “fold up” along those horizontal joints. You’re talking a pretty good size panel here. If you look at both of the projects that you indicated, the rails run into the stiles, not the other way around. That’s the strength of the door. The only way you could get away with the design you want to use would be to back the whole thing up with a sheet of plywood, to strengthen the panel.

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

Thanks Tim,
That is what I was afraid the answer would be, but I just wanted to make certain. I looked all around and didn’t see anyone else doing this the way I was hoping to. I figured there was a good reason, but was hoping that it would be a reason I could easily work around. Oh well. Back to the drawing board.
Thanks again!