How to Cut Down a Door Slab | How to fill in a door web

[@davemartin916]

What happened to safety first, no eye protection?

[@berlinbuilds]

Safety eyelashes amigo, safety eyelashes 😎

[@HerbCreech]

You are the "Napoleon Dynamite" of You tube, this is a compliment!

[@berlinbuilds]

Thanks Tina! Haha, I appreciate the compliment!

[@-dave3577]

What's the best process of reducing the width of a door [33" to 30"] with a chipboard inner? Two small cuts on each side [taking out the inner piece length] then reglue/clamp the real wood outer lip edges back on or one large cut on each side and iron on veneer strips onto the chipboard? Obviously, the latter option is the easiest and would have no noticeable joins but would it be strong enough to take hinges and latches?

[@berlinbuilds]

At that point I’d probably suggest a new slab. It’s technically doable, but the interior rails of the door are usually only about an 1.5” wide.

[@MadMike991]

This is awesome, thanks! But what kind of shag carpet required you to cut 3 inches from the door?🤣Just kidding.

[@berlinbuilds]

Haha, right? The door was under an HVAC drop if I remember right so the standard height door wouldn’t fit!

[@TrailPony]

This was a great share and incredibly helpful! Thank you for this. Made my life easier to make the half-door for my brother

[@berlinbuilds]

I’m glad this helped! Thanks for watching. Make sure your brother pays you in some Dr Pepper!

[@bobcon22]

Great video dude...the Dr. Pepper comments were on point haha...also nice to see someone use a push stick properly

[@berlinbuilds]

Thanks! Glad to find a fellow Dr Pepper enthusiast! And I love my push stick! I used one wrong once and it got thrown back into the palm of my hand. Experience is a good teacher 🤣

[@RehabLife]

Wait just a minute .. you mean you have more than one feeling? I've got to see about getting more than the one I have. It's getting worn out! Pins work great! I learned a very long time ago that if I used 2" pins on things like door trim and baseboards that once they are painted there is no need to fill in the holes. I just use a few more than I would if I was using a finish nailer. A nice finishing touch I always use when cutting down doors is to chamfer the cut end about 1/16 to match the factory edge. and yeah, probably a little overkill on the pins ... 3 or 4 would have been plenty to hold the stock until the glue set.

[@berlinbuilds]

Haha, you should look into getting at least a couple feelings for sure! I think pin nails are kind of an under appreciated tool. It’s awesome the amount of things you can do with them. I definitely was overkill on the amount I put in 😆 I hadn’t thought about giving the door a chamfer. Thanks for the idea!

[@RehabLife]

@@berlinbuilds I just saw this and thought about you smartsaker.com/products/woodworking-planer-set It seems to fit the bill perfectly, if it only works!

[@berlinbuilds]

Haha, thanks man! I’ve seen those around and have wondered about them. I do really like your idea of chamfering the edge once you cut them down!

[@zephyr1408]

Where do u buy 2” pins? All my guns shoot 1 3/8 pins? Is there a particular gun your using? Or R u talking brads? Finish? 15’s?

[@RehabLife]

@@zephyr1408 I have a Hitachi/Metabo that shoots up to 2" 18ga brad nails. $70 at Lowe's.

[@wagnersilva-sw8zn]

Do you clamp the actual door to that table? Also, solid doors are more expensive, but do you think that the process would be easier? Great video, thank you.

[@berlinbuilds]

Thank you! I haven’t needed to clamp the door to the table, it’s been pretty stable just setting there 👍 Solid core would definitely be easier because you wouldn’t need to fill anything back in. They’re also better for sound not transferring through the door.

[@RWBraswell]

Lots of great info but by far the most important takeaway from this video is the $10 straight clamp from harbor freight. I literally just went and got one as soon as the video ended 😂 👍🏼

[@berlinbuilds]

I was hoping the greatest take away would be of the importance of hydrating with Dr Pepper, but I won’t complain about it being that clamp!

[@deejayft8218]

The clamp? lol, I don’t need an straight edge to cut straight🤣 just an square & pencil and I’ll run circles around this rookie all day.

[@RWBraswell]

@@deejayft8218 I don’t work in construction or carpentry and cut wood with a skilsaw MAYBE 5-6 times a year so I like the clamp

[@berlinbuilds]

Cool. Sounds like what my framer would say. I'd love to see it done and the quality of the cut for an interior door. Make sure you use your framing blade, it cuts better! (Pops popcorn, ready to watch). @@deejayft8218

[@deejayft8218]

@@berlinbuilds lol, of course, he wouldn’t be a good framer if he didn’t trash talk someone who needs an straight edge to cut straight, …this isn’t your weekend builder here, I build 24/7 so I know my crap, I even know how to keep the saw straight with NO LINE! just use the guides that’s literally engraved in the saw…but I understand if you just working within your capabilities, you learn to crawl b4 you walk.

[@mariocuartas6796]

Follows the steps and turn out great. Thanks Nick!

[@berlinbuilds]

No problem! Glad it helped!

[@jaypee07747]

Nice video. Thanks.

[@zephyr1408]

I will be honest I am a contractor finish carpenter & I charge $65 an hour or I will bid a flat rate if I am comfortable I am close ? For the time I would spend cutting down a hollow core door or buy one from my vendor ? I can hang it in 20-30 min ? $200 new door?? I don’t know maybe where you are you hv to do that? I buy those doors sometimes under $200 & that’s a pre-hung ? I stick it on my door studs , w/ez hangs and do prehungs quick! Otherwise your loosing money 4 U and the customer!

[@berlinbuilds]

I see what you are saying. This one was going in a basement with a dropped ceiling area so this is a 6-8 prehung door that I was cutting down to fit. Otherwise we’d be looking at ordering a custom door for more money and a longer time waiting for the delivery.

[@zephyr1408]

@@berlinbuilds ok that makes sense I was watching and telling myself the guy is def skilled (most guys could not tell you what a compound cut is) but I understand. Well your ready to either keep working doing contracts or work subbing out to a contractor trimming homes? I finally just work for one GC doing customs and truthfully it’s a blessing ! Wishing u the best buddy!

[@berlinbuilds]

That’s awesome man! Doing customs would be a lot of fun! I’ve actually pivoted to doing more work as the general contractor now while still trimming my own jobs. It’s hard to get away from trim, it’s just too much fun!

[@zephyr1408]

@@berlinbuilds Buddy I would stick to improving your mill works skills!! It’s like we hv a ton of framers? However few very production trim Carpenters!! I do cabinets, doors , base , crown, make doors, make custom trim, vanities, all finish work except siding and floors!! That area is very specific pro work! I acquired maybe $75,000 in tools & own them all! Young as you are sit down w/the wife & explain the tools I buy feed us & u hv to be on board or else we spin our wheels never really growing!! Often 1/2 half of the equation believes it’s overboard & silly? Whereas u end up buying new cars, fancy furniture, mod clothing, you know stuff that does nothing to feed you!!!!! Gotta hv the tools to make the money! Example; using a homemade track and skillsaw to make those cuts?? I throw up my track saw and 39” track and saw 20 doors in half the time it takes you no matter how good u are!! Not throwing rocks I was once there! Until I realized I need to set myself apart from the mix! Ok buddy I am not really that good trust me I learn every single day!

[@saltyolbroad2962]

@zephyr1408 please tell me where to find a 72 inch door, zephyr! My basement won't allow anything bigger--unless I cut into the sill plate. . .come do my door!

[@andyrobinson4566]

I need to get that straight edge.. 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@berlinbuilds]

It’s been super handy in a pinch!

[@T-kind]

I love me some frog tape too!

[@berlinbuilds]

If only we could get everyone to “hop” on board 😎

[@T-kind]

@@berlinbuilds Sponsors be missing out!!

[@berlinbuilds]

@@T-kind You're right! If I could get the Dr Pepper sponsorship I'd probably die from happiness!

[@saltyolbroad2962]

I need a 72" high door. Can I cut 8" off?

[@berlinbuilds]

Yes. It may look a little funny depending on the door style

[@saltyolbroad2962]

I actually feel confident to try this after watching!

[@inspiringbuilds]

Painters tape is definitely a go to for a smooth cut and the 5 in 1 tool (newer versions are upwards of 14 in 1 like the Husky one I picked up last year) is easily one of my favorite hand tools. Keep up the great work!

[@berlinbuilds]

Thanks man! I love my 5 in 1! I think I’d be a bit crippled without it!

[@inspiringbuilds]

@@berlinbuilds As a trim guy it’s a must have tool for sure!

[@saltyolbroad2962]

​@Berlin Builds Are you in Berlin NJ?! Can ya cut 8" off a door for me?