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+--- Thread: New carpet installed. Now I need to cut the door (/showthread.php?tid=242140)
New carpet installed. Now I need to cut the door - space-time - 06-07-2020
House has all hardwood floors, but one kid insisted on having carpet in his room (because his friend has carpet and he like to sit down on the carpet when he visits his friend). he's a good kid and wife approve. Carpet is installed (we made sure it can be removed without major damage to the hardwood floors).
Anyway, I need to cut about 1/2" from the bottom of the door to close smooth. I don't have any tools, but I am willing to buy something, I think it will come in handy for other projects at some point.
Do I need one of those "table style" saws? I hope not, it's too large (and expensive). I think one of those hand saw, I could align a 2x4 at the edge of the door, clamp it down to the door, and use it as guide. I can probably lay the door flat on the edge of a the deck during this operation.
I have some Bosch 12V drill and drivers, so I could probably benefit from using the same brand to share batteries. but that's not a must.
EDIT: actually I could use a corded tool, would this $50 tool cut deep enough to cut a door?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-13-Amp-Corded-7-1-4-in-Circular-Saw-CSB125/205216317
Re: New carpet installed. Now I need to cut the door - anonymouse1 - 06-07-2020
Something like that would do it. If it were me, I'd buy a nice Freud or Makita, similar to this one I bought for my miter saw: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MQOOGI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You might be fine with the stock blade, but they tend to make rough cuts, which then would call for additional sanding, etc.
Also, be aware that most doors have hollow cars, with some solid wood around the edges for rigidity. Cutting off .5 inch should be fine....
Re: New carpet installed. Now I need to cut the door - fromish - 06-07-2020
One thing to consider is taking steps for a smooth edge.
To get a good, smooth edge without tearout, splinters, etc, first mark the cut with a pencil on top, bottom and sides. Next, use a new razor knife blade to cut along those pencil lines. For the first cut, guided by a straight edge, mark lightly. Then mark more and more heavily, again on top, bottom and sides. Then put good quality masking tape (blue 3m or green Frog tape) over the cuts, Rub the tape so you can see the line you cut, then mark the tape with a pencil.
Now when you cut with the circular saw you will get a much, much smoother, more finished cut, especially on the surface veneer skin of the door.
Re: New carpet installed. Now I need to cut the door - MikeF - 06-07-2020
Yes, that saw will work. I would replace the blade with this one:
Note: A 2x4 will not probably fit under the motor on the side to use as a straight edge; you will probably need a 1x4 to do that.
Re: New carpet installed. Now I need to cut the door - NewtonMP2100 - 06-07-2020
......and make sure the carpet.....matches the drapes....
Re: New carpet installed. Now I need to cut the door - deckeda - 06-07-2020
Not quite sure what you mean by having to trim the wood. I think they make dedicated saws for trimming around doors however.
Check out pawnshops for one-off jobs.
Is the carpet already down? The kid missed an opportunity to skip the carpet and just get an awesome rug instead. Swap it out every year when bored or ratty. And after the kid’s outgrown the idea, there’s your wood floor again.
Re: New carpet installed. Now I need to cut the door - jdc - 06-07-2020
Yep that saw is fine. Key is the tape which prevents splintering.
If you have used a saw like that before or are semi handy — keeping the saw straight while following a line should be fine. Like Mike mentioned Problem with clamps or using a 1x4 board is they get in the way of the saw motor when cutting. You can buy clamps specific for this use but not super cheap
I would get a very very very fine sanding sponge to smooth the edges.
Although the door might be hollow, many have 1-2” of solid at the top and bottom for the exact purpose of being able to cut doors shorter.
Just did this a week ago with 4 closet doors. Measured. Taped. Measured and drew line on tape. Cut. Peel tape. One pass Sand On edge
Re: New carpet installed. Now I need to cut the door - Robert M - 06-07-2020
Space,
Your kid is lucky. If it was mine, I'd've said no. Carpeting isn't allowed in our place for a slew of reasons. I'd've never say yes carpeting if it required modifying a door. Never. Area rugs, playmats, and floor coverings such as FLOR carpet tiles are excellent alternatives to carpeting.
Any chance you can return the carpeting and put down an alternative floor covering? I'd do that before modifying the door and definitely if I had to buy a tool to modify said door.
Robert
Re: New carpet installed. Now I need to cut the door - NewtonMP2100 - 06-07-2020
....so you will be 'cutting the rug'.......more often now.....??
Re: New carpet installed. Now I need to cut the door - Cary - 06-07-2020
Is the door hollow core of solid wood?
The circular saw you showed is fine for that job. As has been mentioned, the blade shown is for rough finish. You should get a fiber (more teeth) blade. How many teeth? Depends on what type of door it is.
A 1x4 should be ok as a straight edge, but you may want to buy an aluminum straight edge/ruler - 3 or 4 foot - guaranteed to be straight, and can be used for other things, and they are inexpensive. You'll need a couple of clamps. Irwin makes good ones. If the motor does not clear, then around and cut from the other direction.
He sure to measure from the show (base plate) edge to the edge of the blades you know how much to offset the straight edge.
Taking the cut can help prevent wood splintering - a bigger problem on hollow doors or with rough cut blades.