Door Frame String Line Tip

[@neilhales4693]

Good tip. Try this extra. Slip a 1 mm spacer under the strings at each corner and where the strings cross will have a gap just big enough for a 1 mm spacer. If you don't use spacers then if the strings touch you can't tell by how much they are touching. Use 4 bits of card if you haven't got spacers. It can help. If you haven't got a pack of spacers then get some!

[@neilhales4693]

Whoops! spacers just under the corners of 1 string but not both (obviously!). What was I thinking 😢

[@NoPlus500]

Love your accuracy are you an engineer too

[@neilhales4693]

@@NoPlus500 No, but with doors every mm matters.

[@Geo-vw9oz]

​@neilhales4693 good correction, was about to say that but seen you realised 😊

[@neilhales4693]

@@Geo-vw9oz Yes, a real "Doh!" moment. It's the sort of mistake that "measure twice and cut once" is supposed to catch. Perhaps think twice and write once would be a good idea - for me anyway!

[@6shaneyG9]

I was taught this as an apprentice from an oldschool chippie 20 years ago. Old tricks are the best 👌

[@Patrick-d1j8f]

As 42 years in building I like this tip not likely to need it but I do like it 😂

[@jamesharris3192]

I'm 61 and I remember my dear dear Daddio teaching me this tip when we put our garage door frame in. Thanks Dad you were the very very best..

[@chrisohagan4825]

Same as a pvc door with the apprentices ... they always plumb both legs .... i pack the door up plumb the hindge side perfectly fix at the top above the hindge then set me head margin perfectly by packin the locking side then then I use a brand new light metal floor screed 150mm wide that i have cut for length think it was 1930mm (kept the off cut to use on small windows on them outside insultion scheme where the window sits flush to the face of th exterior wall) ..an set it against the unplumb side of the frame an i look across the wall from the unplumb side an as u look across it makesure th screed edge is running perfectly inline top to bottom as the perfectly plumb side... thats why i bought th screed for thIS a nice dark perfectly straight DEFINING edge 😮.... my bro showed me this 3 r4 years ago always wondered why he was getting his finished 10 r 15 mins before me 😅 an since he showed me it iv never 1ce had a fitting issue .. aka 3 point locking, margins on the head correct, small gap at top or bottom of the door (cant see it but you can hear it an feel a draft) even on the store doors they always end up perfectly flush no legs sat out like a male dog pissing ....😅😅😅 cheers bro❤

[@Hertog_von_Berkshire]

If you think about it, the strings touching in the middle means that the frame is not skewed. It is not necessarily plumb.

[@SkillBuilder]

yes that is true but if you plumb up one end you will bring the other into line with it and that is more important. Lasers have made this tip redundant but there is some value in looking at the way things were done and could be again if you have all your tools stolen.

[@exploretheobvious]

Well, I’ve learned something today. Nice tip, thanks.

[@rbruce5270]

stick a nail under each end of one of the strings then check for same gap in middle 👍

[@SkillBuilder]

Good tip!

[@BrianHarkin-q5l]

There is no better way to set out a door frame than this 👌

[@alang6238]

@@BrianHarkin-q5l there is actually if you know how to plumb something 🫣

[@tinytonymaloney7832]

Thats a good tip, 👍👍

[@tunveerhanif2647]

I have you this technique for years never gone wrong

[@davidmason2179]

I was taught this method at college when I was serving my time. My lecturer was an absolute master at his trade. He’s probably forgotten more than I’ll ever know about my trade.

[@paulodwyer5599]

Thanks mate. I do renovations and don't often replace sliding door frames. A tip like yours is really helpful to multi trade workers like myself. Jack

[@neilhales4693]

Try this tip for door lining/frames Paul: nip down to your friendly builders merchant and buy the cheapest plain off the shelf door (surface damage is great if it reduces the price!) of the right size. It's just a template. Then use opposed wedges between the frame/lining (a pair of opposed wedges for every screw fixing. Make sure that the wedges are cut to the same slope or the flat sides won't be parallel when you slide the slopes against one another - I've seen that done wrongly) to hold the door frame/lining roughly in place, set your cheap door into the frame/lining using spacers all round to give you even spaces/liberties top and sides with appropriate clearance at the floor. Now you're stuck in the room! Seriously, this works for one if you haven't boarded out studwork and otherwise you need two of you, one in and one out. Make sure your drill and fixings are on the right side of the door. You can guess how I know that that matters! You have to adjust the opposed wedges to get the spacers tight around the door. Usually, when you fix the frame/lining in place you'll need to slacken off, reset the wedges, and retighten to get the best fit to the door. It's less bother than it seems. Now you know that you've fixed the frame/lining in place so your new door will fit perfectly when you hang it. Of course, you have to get the frame vertical but that's where levels/strings come in. All tightened up? Foam between frame/lining and stud/brick work, release the door, and repeat in the next doorway. Sounds like a lot of bother? It is for one door and it is if you're not the one who has to fit the doors. As we all know, the role of first fix is to make enough work for second fix! Otherwise it saves a lot of fiddling around with expensive doors. What to do with the cheap door afterwards? If it's cheap enough it doesn't have moulding so it makes good shelving for deep cupboards as long as they're not too wide, or whatever, there's loads of uses better than as a skip filler. That took longer than I thought.

[@matthoward1059]

Plumb bob and string line best of gear back in the day.lasers faster and as accurate and not effected by wind.Skills need passed on though batteries die then you need the back up.

[@james-e4k]

I still use a Plumb bob and water level

[@MrJFoster1984]

Eye the frame through frpm one side to another. The string is a good indicator but the string can't both occupy the same space. I wpuld use the string and then eye through

[@SkillBuilder]

Very hard to eye through on a wall like that but if you can then yes, it is good to do.

[@LarsFars-ck2qo]

That's one of the best tips I've seen in quite some time. Nice one Roger.

[@nab1uk]

Nice tip 👌

[@fuzzyduc3222]

Sounds daft but what’s the best way to tie the string corner to corner? I’ve tried this method before, but found myself fumbling about with the string for too long 🤦‍♂️😳

[@SkillBuilder]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHmydJ1-rL6cotU

[@deanmiles8421]

Spot on Roger but the strings make sure they are parallel both ends not plumb. The young ones will argue about the later but I'm with you with the level, I suppose for the best accuracy you could use a digital level but I never have.

[@sarvdogra]

Fantastic.... ! Absolutely great tip

[@shinyjohn6568]

that's a cracking tip 👍

[@davidoshaughnessy493]

Nice one . Great tip.

[@angelozapp]

Thank you

[@darrellmann7468]

Genius come to mind proper tradesman well done my friend 👏

[@alang6238]

Your eyes are much more accurate, you only do this when a door frame is in a corridor and you can't check with the eye for being 'fair' As a workshop joiner, everything we make is checked for being fair when lying on the bench.

[@EraVulgarisQotsa]

Was always told to sight frames through and it’s never fails. Doing it this way has. Especially if there is a twist or bow in the timber.

[@alang6238]

@EraVulgarisQotsa that method has it's uses in confined spaces where you can't eye it through...and you've forgotten your spirit level 😅 you can easily cross reference your level by turning it around if it's that important

[@Muzzy0085]

I'm just about to make a big frame.. this is great advice 🎉

[@stevedoubleu99B]

Very underrated tool........string. 😊😊

[@bamsebrumbamsebrumen5403]

Great tips :)

[@hexboxx735]

Love it

[@brianparkhurst1019]

Just a small critique. The strings are for "in plane". It can still be out of plumb. I wholeheartedly believe you know what you are doing, I think you just misspoke. The final words.

[@Macm73]

Best way to wind in a door frame.

[@jasondyer811]

You should always work to a line ,where you can . A simple principal in construction .

[@FosterChild]

How is the string attached to the frame correctly?

[@Errol.C-nz]

plumb .. at both ends ! .. never to confuse plumb vs "aligned" .. flat vs level ! .. a good technique though ❤ 🇳🇿🇳🇿nz 👌

[@carlsherwin5557]

That is amazing never thought of that👍

[@elliottdebell7783]

How did you attach the line to the door?

[@dougsaunders8109]

String cheap and less likely to break if you leave it out in the rain 😄

[@Nippa1988]

Old school... remember my mentor teaching me this during my apprenticeship. You could always eye the jambs through too as a rough guide

[@Saxondog]

People say they're not but I agree with you, Stabila, probably the best lager...err, Level, in the world.😅

[@johnwarwick4105]

Good tip 👍

[@gareththomas6426]

Surely this method just proves that both ends are parallel with each other and not plumb? You’d still need a level or laser to actually plumb the frame? I’ve been in the game for 20 years and never seen this method used 😅 very interesting though 👌🏼

[@SkillBuilder]

Yes you need to plumb it but if you plumb it both ends and the level is not spot on the string trick is going to tell you. I have seen several patio doors that don't run well because the frames are cocked.

[@rocknral]

In theory, you only need to plumb one side using this method.

[@m101ist]

​​@@SkillBuilder If the string lines are the same length and marked up in the middle of the string lines. When the marks line up in mid centre point or x marks the centre point the frame should be square aswell.

[@kuk3411]

@@m101istThe strings need to be fairly tight for Roger’s tip to work, so getting both strings to be tensioned the same so that they’re the same length would be pretty difficult to achieve for square. Tape measure would certainly be a much easier option. Excellent tip though from Roger. Definitely using that one next time I do bifolds

[@simonlivings629]

Yep. Touch your tips together and you know you have AVE a plum. Bang on the money Sir. Love ya😂 excellent tip!

[@DeanWatson-kb7dv]

Been usimg that for many years works everytume

[@leeandrews6084]

always check your diagonals

[@9111logic]

🙏 Nice one Roger, I never thought of that

[@richardmulligan133]

Done this for years working on boat refits 👍

[@johnturrell942]

A string line is one of the cheapest tools to own. Never lets you down. No batteries required.

[@jasonwall5331]

Great shout.

[@jakefriesenjake]

Well, you didn't take into consideration the thickness of the string. One of the strings needs to be spaced out farther than the other string, on both ends, the thickness of the actual string

[@SkillBuilder]

Yes that string is a deal breaker. It has been done like this for over two thousand years.

[@adrianclare-f2p]

You could try a half lap on the string where they cross.😂

[@PiezPiedPy]

Cheers :D

[@tonyedwards4189]

Love that

[@ivorleak8823]

Have a 5 mtr run on bi fold doors and the lock sticks in winter yet is fine in summer. Any ideas?

[@iainstirling1475]

Not seen this done since i were a lad!!

[@darren-up9vo]

Excellent tip

[@booshallmighty]

Brilliant

[@gdfggggg]

My expanding foam and frame fixers tell me it’s bang on 👀

[@tryhugging212]

Didn't know Rob Brydon did building work.

[@mrpaul7083]

Good man

[@johnstockwell9457]

Put your level up one side, run your ol porky pie up and down it to the other jamb to see if it is in wind. 👍👍

[@DDG-Downfall]

This is the person you want too learn tricks of the trade of

[@matthartshorn9483]

Could you not just bone it through like you would am internal door frame?

[@jordanhowe-piper1124]

Eyes in different postcode’s

[@lukedowdall1158]

Waste of time, check diagonal measurements by all means to ensure the frame is sq, blump- bob and straight edge each style then line of sight through the styles, this string method will not pick up a bow in the frame.

[@SkillBuilder]

Thse string will pick up a twist. You can't site it through in a wall with corners unless you plant timber on both ends. The string has been used since the Ancient Greeks and maybe before that. I will give you their contact details so you can argue it out.

[@lukedowdall1158]

@@SkillBuilder in your frame example you can sight the frame through, ( although I accept this may not be possible in all circumstances), your string line method is fallible ( a stiff wind will effect results ) more accurate if you use blocks on each corner and one for the middle. A plumb bob on each jamb and checking diagonally will prevent any frame misalignment . Big fan of your work 👍 I should know, I built three quarters of London and my dad built the other half 😜

[@SkillBuilder]

O.K I am going to stop arguing but I still don't understand how you site through a frame that is recessed in a wall with a wall both sides. If I site through my eye has to be behind one post and then the other can be adjusted to suit. I get it about the stiff wind so you need tight lines and the jambs have been plumbed up so in theory they should be good. I even cross lines on a 3 feet wide door liner.

[@lukedowdall1158]

@@SkillBuilder Sorry,I never come across this method I wasn’t about in Ancient Greece , I was too busy working on the Pyramids at the time 😎

[@AurimasPuscius]

F. Yah. This is really good way.

[@cyanidejunkie]

Yup… put your Johnsons aside and spend the money for a Stabilia. You’ll not regret it.

[@Shady-Socks73]

Welders use the same trick for getting frames square h

[@johnslattery6194]

Thats is an old trick i used a few times

[@sevvy101]

A proper tip.....at last.

[@Shaggy-839two]

Vast majority of builders don't do anything like this. They dont care.

[@CAGML-f5k]

A laser absolutely can match it, not beat it as the string method is very accurate. I’m a fixer and can tell you I could fit that frame perfectly plumb and square using my laser but good video

[@denysnuttall1706]

Stabila?

[@SANDSCORCHER]

😎😎😎😀👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@samgiamarelos4524]

You do that for every frame, you ain't making money, hobby page

[@SkillBuilder]

This is not about making money, this is about doing a job so you don't get call backs. Door and window fitters get more complaints than anyone else in the trade. It is simply because they are always in a hurry. Even the guy who measure up often gets it wrong.

[@robertsaca3512]

Thanks again to the Romans.

[@SkillBuilder]

Greeks taught the Romans. The Romans didn't even invent the arch they just branded it Roman Arch.

[@Jackman8594]

Get a laser

[@user-bh2iw3bw9k]

Not needed

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

👏🏽👏🏽🧱👍🏽

[@HolyWhisp]

Jimmy Bullard is multi-talented ain't he!

[@plaster-co8938]

gg

[@samgiamarelos4524]

While you're doing string lines, ive already fitted the glass and fired off an invoice😅

[@SkillBuilder]

Yes and I am the bloke who comes and put is right when the doors aren't closing right

[@thomasgoode1875]

Thats rubbish, ive put in bigger panse than that ,no frame is fully tight the glass will straighten the frame.😮😮

[@SkillBuilder]

You are kidding. The glass won't straighten a meandering bi-fold track. That is why so many bi-folds don't roll well or close properly. Do it right first time.

[@michaelfyles3417]

ST ANDREWS CROSS.