Convert Sliding Bypass Doors to French Doors

Our house has all-wood closet doors, which is great! But the problem is they are heavy, and since they are sliding bypass doors, they are a pain to use.
Not to mention that this style of closet door is not very practical, since you don't get to access/see the whole closet at once.
In this project, I converted my daughter's closet doors from sliding to french doors.
It's really simple: just fill the gaps in the door frame with some wood from the home improvement store. Cut down the doors to the appropriate width, install hinges, and hang the doors.
While the level of difficult isn't huge, the amount of work involved is moderate to heavy. Also, you probably need some good tools to do this. I'd recommend having someone handy help if you aren't confident in your ability to do this sort of thing. The first time I did this, on the master bedroom closet, I had a skilled tradesman help. That gave me the confidence to do this alone the second go-around.
Hope you enjoy and that it's useful!
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MUSIC:
Rubix Cube by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: audionautix.com/

[@leannmcnaughton1146]

Super informative video! I'm changing out our pantry doors from sliding to french. This was extremely helpful!!!! Thanks!

[@TheHandToolery]

Thanks! Good luck!

[@googleuser6004]

Thank you Andrew! This is exactly what I want to do in my small condo to better access my washer/dryer. Now I just have to find someone to do the work 🙂

[@eberlyjohn81]

Great job this is exactly what I want to do in my house

[@TheHandToolery]

Awesome!! It’s so much more convenient!

[@snowballleeblue8497]

Thank you for posting this for us! It’s helpful to see someone go through the steps. I’m going to do this in a few rooms throughout my home. I plan to use magnets rather than the ball-catch-latch; I hear complaints about those, so im going to steer clear.

[@TheHandToolery]

Great idea with the magnets. The catch is a bit annoying at times, and I’m glad this is helpful! It’s not a hard conversion, but it isn’t terrible easy either. But still, it can be done!

[@catarinafrade3427]

Parabéns Andrew!! Seu trabalho vale ouro e vc tem o verdadeiro dom!! Felicidades!!

[@Sabrinasee02]

You did a great job. I rather have the door opening then the sliding door.

[@TheHandToolery]

Thank you-I know, right? I love how they are. They work great, still!

[@christinesavage1757]

I love it. I am going to have my husband do this! My bypass doors have all been coming off the track or getting stuck for years! Ugh! Great job!

[@gilmaraeymael37]

Very beautiful! Congratulations!

[@jamest9185]

This is exactly my problem. Thanks for sharing. It’s gonna be my next project.

[@PatriciaSilva-vs4sx]

Ficou perfeito!!! Parabéns!!!

[@mickimc2883]

Wow! What a difference! I want to do this in my bedroom! Looks great!!

[@TheHandToolery]

It has been great! We did this to all closets!

[@ednaezequiel2961]

Muito talentoso e dedicado, Deus continue te direcionando! Ficou muito bom! Parabéns!

[@valeriaoliveira4667]

You are simply exceptional! Congratulations on the closet, perfect!👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@valeriaoliveira4667]

Thank you for the attention in answering me

[@ireneteles4516]

Looks beautiful😍

[@ritamariafdalmeida6125]

O estilo de vocês é simplesmente maravilhoso. Parabéns. Eu os admiro demais Família linda!!!

[@lucianalelis1483]

Ficou ótimo. Vc tem muito talento, parabéns!

[@jarrettupton57]

this is a fantastic idea and I'll be using parts of your video to help me when I do this in my own home

[@TheHandToolery]

Awesome!! Hope it turns out perfect!

[@dawandabocanegra8935]

You did a great job 👏 👍

[@TheHandToolery]

Thanks!

[@gislainealves6048]

Parabéns, muito talentoso e caprichoso. Amo os vídeos da Joyce também. Deus abençoe sua família, sucesso!

[@marciaito1120]

Que capricho! 👏👏👏

[@CeciliaEarth]

You're very talented.Very good!

[@ukrena]

This works better than before .Parabéns !

[@TheHandToolery]

They sure do!

[@TougeHorseman]

Awesome work

[@janemiranda6362]

Very nice! ☺

[@k.b.woodworker3250]

Really great job! I have hollow core bifold doors, which I've never liked. Your comments about how much more access with french doors. also applies to the bifold door somewhat. They are also much more attractive. I'm looking to replace mine with french doors, perhaps build them or get some used doors, maybe bypass doors from the recycle place.

[@TheHandToolery]

Thanks! We are looking into bi fold doors for the hall at the beginning of the video. The only issue is the weight of the doors. The French doors are too intrusive in the hall though. Good luck on yours!

[@verasouza823]

parabéns!! muito bom ver seus trabalhos com madeiras... além de ser um marido maravilhoso tbm é um marcineiro de primeira linha..rs que Deus abençoe toda sua família..adoro ver seus vídeos e os da Joice..bjao

[@shelleylewis9488]

Yes! Sliding doors are a nightmare

[@christinarojas7135]

Amazing!

[@TheHandToolery]

Thank you!!! We still love them!

[@andrewaustin6941]

NICE!!

[@rosaliamuricy8315]

que capricho Deus abençoe

[@zcarfanatic]

Good work on the conversion. The main problem with sliding bypass doors is that builders use crappy $20 stamped-steel tracks the collect debris and deform (collapse) over time and crappy plastic 2-wheel rollers that build-up debris and break. The solution? spend 50$-60$ on a system that includes solid aluminum tracks and two four-wheeled sealed cartridge bearings per door. The heaviest doors will roll like silk and the system will not degrade over time. Johnson hardware makes some great solutions. I am not affiliated with them in any way, I'm just a DIYer on the weekends with a day job. you can also integrate soft close mechanisms on the aluminum sliders since the ease of rolling could pinch little kid fingers. I've replaced all of the crappy stamped steel tracks in my home closets.

[@felixagustin9573]

Great video, I'm about to do the same but instard will use non mortise hinges and will flop the doors so the hole for the handle stays inside even if I fill it. Thanks

[@LoveMyAnime1218]

OMG I need to do that with my closet, I hope my manager says yes

[@TheHandToolery]

It's not terribly difficult, but it has a lot of details. Hope it works out for you!

[@carlasouza4056]

Hey Andrew. I follow Joyce and didn't know you have a channel. I love woodworking, so this is perfect for me! My husband and I are planning to do the same at our house. I hate the bypass doors. Thanks for the tips! And please get yourself not just a circular, but a miter saw. We have a makita miter and it's awesome.

[@valeriaoliveira4667]

Amooo a língua inglesa, apesar de saber pouquíssimas coisas, assisto todos os seus videos, pois adoro seus trabalhos e assim meu marido aprende com você! Minha filha fala fluentemente o ingles assim ela é a minha tradutora rsrs, ela estudou por 2 anos na Universidade de Maine em Orono USA, talvez você conheça! Parabéns pelo lindo closet! Perfeito👏👏👏👏👏

[@joseadelmoguimaraes7647]

Parabéns!!!

[@dianethais7703]

coloca uma legenda em portugues....adoro os videos joyce

[@isabellabrito3141]

Eu não entendo nada que você fala, kk mas mesmo assim gosto muito de assistir. Sendo assim acompanho você e minha querida Joice Milacci, amo vocês! ♥ obg por me fazer tão feliz, com um simples video de vocês.

[@mariestella175]

Amei a idéia, assim a gente pode ficar num pouco mais perto de vocês.... vocês moram no meu coração e me inspirou muito e me ajudou em um momento de depressão a recomeçar Que Deus abençoe grandemente a vida dessa familia linda E se colocar em português, vai ser mais uma ajuda, vou aprender a falar inglês rsrs Bjs ao casal !

[@rizeliadossantos3769]

Vc é muito talentoso ameiiii que Deus abençoe em nome do senhor Jesus um super Bj fique com Deus tenha um final de semana abençoado por Deus Bj

[@ThriveworksFred]

I like the video and T shirt

[@toodie535]

oo oo find some old fashioned door knob face plates, they'd cover up the holes and be gorgeous, too.

[@TheHandToolery]

Great suggestion!

[@veverodrigues2542]

Ele esta ensinando sobre carpintaria ele é muito bom nisso

[@anaraquelendlich1837]

Muito talentoso! Beijinhos a Joyce

[@mariahelenasoares7744]

Cadê. A joice estamos. com saudade dela

[@youtubeyamiyibi5023]

Love it

[@TheHandToolery]

Thank you! It’s made the space so much more usable.

[@youtubeyamiyibi5023]

I am doing it. I’ll start tomorrow.

[@TheHandToolery]

Good luck!!

[@juranidantas5326]

de lembranças p Joice adoro vcs

[@saudadesnaotemidade147]

mesmo sem entender nada vai meu super like!

[@mariaangelica4976]

vim parar aqui por causa da Joice. amoooo ela, sem nem a conhecer😄

[@markore6372]

What was that hinge mortice plane you were using?

[@canalruthfernandes777]

Também tentando treinar o inglês rsrsrs ,mas Andrew o que vc passou nas dobradiças? Foi tinta ou algum produto pra não enferrujar?

[@starhogan]

Great video! I would like to know about the closet organizing system you have in this closet, where did you purchase it? Thank you

[@TheHandToolery]

I actually made it to fit the space. Plywood is all!

[@flaviaduraes340]

Andrew não entendi nada do que falou rs mas deu pra entender o contexto do video rs Abraços na família adoro vcs 🙏

[@treasuresnownthen]

You may not have a skill saw..but I love that work table and the chisel you have..which I do not have. Is that big saw you were trimming the wood for around the doors a band saw?

[@monicamartins4146]

Andrew Millacci vc poderia fazer vídeos para nos ensina ingles.

[@adha172]

Monica Martins seria maravilhosooo... meu inglês e pessimo, n entendi nadaaa kkkkk... ate o português dele é melhor q o meu :/

[@patriciafenner3427]

Monica Martins amei a idéia!!!

[@missilenemsantos]

Monica Martins adorei a ideia!!!

[@shanebodnar6180]

Monica Martins k

[@Steven-wb9hb]

Very informative! I would have liked to see how you shimmed to make the gap even, though.

[@TheHandToolery]

Behind the piece where you screw the hinges to, I added 1/8 thick strips of luan at the top or bottom, depending.

[@Steven-wb9hb]

@@TheHandToolery Ah, I see. Thank you very much for replying

[@NayaraLiraOficial]

amei❤

[@mitelles80]

Ficou muito bom Andrew!!! Muito melhor a abertura da porta francesa para ganhar e acessar o espaço!

[@michaelwong8613]

Great project. What tool did you use to create the mortise for the hinge? Looked like a manual tool

[@TheHandToolery]

Thank you! It’s shop made, called a router plane.

[@jak3math3w]

Hi Andrew! Loved the video. What's that manual tool you are using to cut out the space for the hinges?

[@TheHandToolery]

It’s called a router plane. I made this one myself but they are more or less common. You can get antique ones or brand new ones. There are also different sizes. I actually use this quite a for various woodworking tasks that require a specific, consistent depth.

[@TheHandToolery]

Thanks for watching!!

[@TheSimonesobral]

Tentar entender e assim treinar o inglês 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@adha172]

Simone Sobral verdade rs

[@cyndicourville8382]

What kind of door stoppers did you use at the top of the door to make it close in place?

[@angelita2297]

vc fala tão bem o português faz uns vídeos em português. Grande abraço em todos! não entendi nada​ mas dei um like!

[@matthewritter9534]

It was more around the area of the hinge placement. I saw his planer this was a small brown block he used it at 7:47 when he was working the hinges.

[@TheHandToolery]

It’s a router plane. It’s shop made but they are rather common. It has a blade that protrudes below the bottom to remove a small amount of material at a time.

[@jamesnguyen1101]

What door hardware did you use for keeping the door close?

[@TheHandToolery]

It’s a “ball catch” system. See this link: m.lowes.com/pd/Gatehouse-Satin-Nickel-Adjustable-Ball-Catch/3353122

[@Livindaybyday]

Looks like a great job, but too much work for me.

[@TheHandToolery]

Yeah... it was quite a bit of work. I’m glad I did it because the look is great and we saved those doors. But other factors included, you could do this more simply by replacing them I’m sure.

[@matthewritter9534]

what was that brown tool you were using while you were doing the mortising for the hinges?

[@queenesther2981]

Matthew Ritter It’s a hand planer.

[@JohnColgan.]

It was a Router Plane. Manual Combination of 2 tools, great for cutting even mortices for hinges, locks etc

[@1luisdimas]

Any idea where to find a closet insert just like that?...with the drawers

[@TheHandToolery]

Hi Luis! I made it actually. We just looked up a number of closet systems online and sketched something up quick. I’m sure there are many out there like it online.

[@apcara18]

How wide were the doors before you cut them and how high and what was your final measurements?

[@TheHandToolery]

Hi there! I don’t really know. I cut about 3/4” off each side of each door. So in total, about 1.5” per door or 3” total. Your measurements will depend entirely on the space you are working with.

[@beanzorela]

Hello, its hard to see what tool you used to cut the hinge slots in. What was that you kind of rubbed it on to cut the indent.

[@TheHandToolery]

It’s my home-made router plane

[@mariajeyarajah360]

Can this be done with those old school plastic sliding doors.

[@TheHandToolery]

Probably not. You need to modify the doors and then put hinges on them. And if the door isn’t solid and sturdy, this becomes difficult and perhaps impossible. Sorry!

[@celiafreitas5909]

Assistindo e treinando o inglês

[@traceyellis8942]

Omg I have these doors through out my house I hate them so much. Seriously I just took the doors off by the washer & dryer. Freaking builders put these in for a washer and dryer. Who does that ergh. Anyways Thanks for the video. I just had surgery on my leg but as soon as I heal I will be doing this! I’m excited I wish I could start today!

[@taicyroconmoreira3836]

Andrew, creio que muita gente que te segue aqui, chegou a vc por meio do canal da Joice, assim como foi comigo! E muitos são brasileiros! Se vc puder fazer vídeos com legenda em português seria muito legal! Eu gosto dos seus vídeos mas não entendo muito por não saber inglês!😁

[@franoliveira2732]

cadê a legenda Andrew???

[@adha172]

N entendi nada o que disse mas dei like assim msm... rs ♥

[@franbarbosa1327]

Nanda Abreu kkkkkkkkkk

[@joimprove]

Hi Andrew Why can’t this be done with hollow doors

[@TheHandToolery]

In theory it could. In reality though you might have to remove a bit of material to make them fit, and you can’t be sure how much of the door structure is there on the edges before you get to the hollow part. And then you need to have enough to mount hinges on them. Also, you might run into nails/fasteners I’d imagine. Hope that makes sense!

[@lucianawalter2712]

Andrew,coloca a tradução em português. 😁

[@marianaalencarf]

Seria bom mesmo

[@irenedakii2667]

aposto que depois a Joice vai pedir para você colocar mais prateleiras neste guarda-roupa. Vamos querer ver.

[@danicruz1302]

Show de bola, amei. Andrew de tudo que você falou eu entendi close. Yes to aprendendo inglês. Kkkkkkkkkk, só que não.... Abraços amos vcs família linda do Senhor Jesus

[@thegreencantina]

How did you clamp that door in length wise to plane the edge?

[@TheHandToolery]

I have a large “leg vise” on my work bench. I also have a device that slides along to offer support on the other end called a “sliding dead man.” So I claimed one end in the vise and supported the other only.

[@thegreencantina]

I've seen those tables. Isn't there a screw drive going through the middle of the leg vice that would get in the way?

[@TheHandToolery]

Yes there is. You can place it above the screw (mine has about 1 foot of clearance) or just clamp the very top of the door, and then you can situate it quite comfortably, which is what I did.

[@fabiovet1978]

Any suggestions for hollow doors?

[@fabiovet1978]

Great job btw

[@ritacastrosantos1470]

Não entendi foi nada, kkkk, mais dei link; amo vocês.

[@FernandaFerreira1712]

As portas francesas são, quanto a mim, muito mais bonitas. Também tenho portas de correr nos roupeiros. Por mim as já tinha trocado..... Não tenho é um marido habilidoso como "o marido da Joice" hihihi... What a pity! Congratulations!

[@FernandaFerreira1712]

....." já as tinha trocado", oops!

[@arainla]

Wouldn’t prehung doors make this so much easier?

[@TheHandToolery]

If it were a standard opening, and if these doors weren’t original to the house and 100% solid wood. For a day of work, I’d say it’s worth the effort for sure.

[@maenaarea1080]

tradução por favor 😭😭😭😭

[@57Sauce]

Where can I get a saw guide like that one at 3:30?

[@TheHandToolery]

Hi there! That is a traditional mitre box for a hand saw. It is vintage and I found it on Craigslist. Since this, I got a new one, also on Craigslist, and the brand is the “Miller’s Falls Acme” mitre box. It came with a saw.

[@57Sauce]

@@TheHandToolery That's awesome thank you! And thank you for your videos!

[@broderp]

Didn't show or explain how you shimmed a door frame that you screwed into the opening....

[@TheHandToolery]

I’m glad to know you wanted the video to be longer!!

[@dougdukelow8125]

Can I just fly you to Kansas City to do 4 doors for us?! And a Royals Game?? I told my husband it should only take him 12 minutes and 42 seconds.

[@Bruh-im2kq]

My doors are hollow will it work? 😭

[@TheHandToolery]

😢 sorry!!!

[@TheHandToolery]

I mean it might, but probably not. It you have to alter the doors at all, then almost certainly not.

[@liliangomesgoncalves8887]

Alguém aperta a tecla sap

[@elizangelarodrigues9415]

Coloca legenda em português ..rsrs

[@joekind1]

Keep it simple, don't add extry boards, just attach the hinges to the slotted jambs. You won't see the slots when the doors are closed.

[@TheHandToolery]

Well I had to add the boards because they won’t open very wide otherwise. You want a full swing, so you need clearance.

[@joekind1]

@@TheHandToolery So you added more boards to make it wider? Anyway, I prefer having a table saw or a compound mitre saw rather than having a Band Saw.

[@TheHandToolery]

I had to build the sides out so they could swing out beyond 90 degrees. It was not terribly hard, and was probably the thing that was on the easier side of things. But of course that made me have to trim the doors more (I had to trim them already since they overlapped an inch).

[@katyoh30]

fantastic work but definitely no job for someone who is only kinda handy.

[@TheHandToolery]

Yeah...

[@Luralie]

No paint? 🤔

[@TheHandToolery]

Watch til the end ;)

[@williamrudolph3481]

They don't sell gloves with 2 fingers.

[@TheHandToolery]

They should!

[@marianadesouza6693]

:)

[@cynthiajones1853]

Push that wood thru with another piece of wood😨

[@TheHandToolery]

Yeah... I probably could have been more careful when pushing the wood through the bandsaw. Yikes! Was wondering though, did you find the video useful otherwise?