New MDF Door Linings / frames in old openings, how to get perfect linings fitted for new doors

My 76mm and 102mm Hinge jigs for sale at www.robc.co.uk​
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I like using MDF door linings and have been doing so for quite a while, especially as standard door linings no longer seem to fit!!
I am experimenting with an MDF panel to represent a door and the gaps it will need for fitting to keep the lining perfectly true and straight while I fix them back to the existing openings
With all clients and customers looking for nice factory finished doors now this enables you to be able to just chop in the hinges and hang the door with only the height needing adjustment if the floors are out like we have here

[@Gixer750pilot]

Robin removed his headphones 🎧 from his neck and his head didn’t fall off ! Thank god

[@JCCarpentry]

‘We’ve ran out of pipe’ “have you now?” 😂

[@peartonperformance5212]

In other words, not my problem mate

[@tellis9844]

I love the gaffes in this video, the joys of being on site.

[@philreid884]

Hi Robin, really enjoyed the video as usual, lots of good tips in there. I'd be interested to see you do a video on hanging doors into old (and usually a bit wonky) frames. a much more common job for alot of chippies id imagine!

[@davetaylor4741]

I used to screw a spacer batten at the bottom and one in the middle to keep correct gap in UK. It worked. In Oz all the door linings or jambs as they call them here go in with the door. You fix the hinge side leave the rest floating. Hang the door and set the rest of the frame to the swinging door. Seemed weird at first but now after 22 years it seems normal. Guaranteed to fit too.

[@jimrowland8310]

That’s how we do it in Canada too, and their called jambs 👍

[@mattybrown5657]

I live in uk and I still screw a bit of baton to the bottom of the frame then I always put in 2 screws Side by side and around 4 rows in each side to keep it straight

[@darrenmaxwell3108]

Your dead right Dave that’s how I fit them you get perfect gaps all the way round... The trouble is now in the uk it’s £800 a 4 bed house that includes 11 frames pre finished doors skirting architrave handrail etc.... they want it all looking sexy as in 4 days this system Robin is showing is good but will only work with a 200 quid level otherwise gaps will be out.

[@jackdalby1663]

This is a game changer hands down. Love a good old jig, definitely going to use this. Work smarter not harder, great video as always

[@RobNorman08]

I've been doing a similar thing for a few years now, I have a couple of cheap blanks with packers tacked to the side for gapping, i make my lining up around this and brace it up. I then set the lining in the opening with folding wedges, foam fill, let it all go off the put in mechanical fixings, (I also pre drill and countersink all my fixing points through the lining prior to assembly) saves a ton of time when coming to hang my doors. Great video as ever sir.

[@wellingsrob4]

MDF frames eh.... I wish the people who specify them had to swing the doors, absolutely crap. Awful to swing FD30/60s on. I've nothing positive to say about MDF frames. When installing many frames we use a prepared door template, but level the head and hinge jamb first, fix the jamb, temp door in, fit the lock side jamb to suit, JD. We install FD30/60 fire doors predominantly tbh, then router the hinges in with a full length jig. I like the method you use. The head and jambs have to be bang on level/plumb or you'll notice it, and especially when running the skirting into the architrave, or if fitting cheeks to then fit architrave to them.

[@reddeddie]

Just a legend doing his thing. No biggie.. I've learnt so much from this guy who works exactly how I do: " how can I make this task more efficient more productive more accurate and easy at the same time ?" I'm self taught in carpentry and love working with wood, Anything I'm not 100% confident about I always consult the guru that is robin clevitt for the asd style confirmation I'm looking for. How do I do things perfectly and what can I engineer to make things better. Big up robin ! True puzzle solver and efficiency extrodinair. I'm on your vibe. Hit me up you ever need an extra set of hands.

[@ukconstruction]

Thanks mate!! Will do!!

[@pgaybrooks]

I've done the same thing as this a couple of years ago... I had an offer through from Howdens for £7 a door, bought a 2'3" 2'6" and 2'9", cut the holes out and lined them with a couple of strips for the gap around them, perfect! Cheaper than 3 sheets of MDF

[@tomsmith9048]

Your dead right pal that idea is as old as the hills 6mm ply and 2x1 only when the old boy did it there wasn't any foam just wedged up to death 😝🔨

[@danthechippie4439]

How much of a gap did you leave each side of the doors? About 3mm? Very good idea

[@Alexcustominstall]

Love all your videos, it’s like sitting an apprenticeship with you (how tech has changed the world) Just about to start major work at my house and the amount of things I’ve learned/am learning is priceless. Thanks for the hard work 👍

[@ukconstruction]

Thanks Alex, good luck with the work at home!!

[@henryhudson1984]

I find this very impressive. Eliminate waste (time) wherever possible. Keep up the efficient methods of construction, you are a trailblazer for the industry.

[@tomsmith9048]

That idea is as old as the hills 🔨

[@tomwills2309]

I like the idea of how you’ve fitted the frame using a former. Always toyed with the idea of knocking one up to do a run of door linings. Big thing for me is MDF door linings. I’m way off being convinced MDF door linings are a good idea. The amount of MDF door linings I’ve had to go out to because the screws have stripped from the weight of the doors is unreal. I’ll stick to softwood door linings for now until I’m convinced but great video and will definitely be fitting door linings this way on bigger jobs.

[@danthechippie4439]

A very good point well made. I guess with how mdf is made with two outer very hard core surfaces and a much softer inner coar. If you were not recessing the hinges you be fine but as we always recess by cutting away the outer hard core all the screws can do is try grab the middle soft core. It would help if you can use longer screws to pass through the middle part and grab the outer hard core, but of course this isn't always possible as the screws be sticking out. But very good point

[@Lakenbeer]

They also swell like a bugger if there's any skimmers in

[@rockcorryman]

On my last fit out I used this exact idea and it works a treat, a real time saver

[@wirelad1]

Great video Robin - Im following all the way now. Door liners and hinge jig. This is great stuff - I have 11 doors to do. And don't worry, we all don't think your a nob! We love you video'in. Its the honey monster lumber-jack guy getting in the way!

[@brianwood5220]

I don't know how you kept your cool, but you did and well done you. Great job Robin as always.

[@ukconstruction]

Thank you!

[@torvaldalexander4906]

Massive efforts to make a blog, so respect, but you are on site. Never seen you loose your cool but as I said efforts to produce and pass on knowledge is not easy with others lumbering into your channel xx We all love your channel and glean information from it along with fantastic product reviews. Keep it up sir. Love the team xx you have a dedicated following

[@pawelpawel31]

I used to fit the door lining this way years ago. Well done

[@whomadethatsaltysoup]

Thanks Robin, Excellent tutorial on a very good idea to achieve consistency using a straightforward system. Thanks for sharing. Big shout out to your flashing sidekick! 🤣

[@hyperhype1000]

I did enjoy the gaffs in this actually Robin.

[@TheFatman2436]

I said it before and I'll say it again the guys a blooming genius, it makes so much sense though if your fitting a shed load of doors

[@adrianwilding2912]

Nice touch with the pivoting blocks which will support the linings when you assemble them. How about mounting a couple of spirit levels on the former too to minimise carting those about?

[@russellshaw485]

Great video Robin . Had a good laugh too , your work colleague was oblivious to all that was going on 😂😂 was like some random guy picking things up and having a go with them 😂😂😂😂 was like herding cats 😂. I thought you were going to loose it any moment 😂 well done very diplomatic

[@chipowood6032]

MDF is waste dust by product basically glued together with formaldehyde and urine The of gassing during its lifetime in buildings is one of the causes of sick building syndrome as well as many other modern products. I have a fair amount of work on replacing these doors and liners after only 4 or 5 years of use. Keep up the good work your making me money Robin

[@Stephenc4877]

In higher end stuff we would put the frame on the hinge side and use 18mm mdf for a full depth door stop Table saw or rail saw to make the stops to suit. I find this gives a really nice detail.

[@ukconstruction]

Thats a nice detail, I have done some videos on skeleton linings where I do this too, its a really nice detail, thanks for the comment mate

[@sally6457]

Started using this technique years ago whilst building local authority homes in West Yorkshire, To be fair, the clerk of works didn't demand accuracy, so long as things worked and looked OK he was satisfied, partly because they knew what we were paid. (The old "good, fast, cheap. You can only have 2) Being a massive router fan, I looked at jobs and thought how to make things easier and repeatable using jigs, My speed and quality sped up very quickly. Suddenly I had people chasing me to do their jobs. And also realised that if I made opening patterns for the bricklayers, my job got loads easier again.

[@T.E.P.]

absolutely stellar vid ... glad to catch these. the channel is a joy

[@nikodemandy3591]

That's exactly what I've done some time ago. I used low expanding foam for that. Quick and easy.

[@haroon420]

Robin!! Man I wish I could hire you. Now that I’ve watched how you work, I don’t trust any other carpenter. Literally got a carpenter hanging some mdf door liners and oak doors and he’s split the mdf whilst screwing them together. 😩😩😩

[@mattallen8981]

Robin, I think that’s a crackin idea with the door template. If I had access to a true cutting table saw in a workshop I’d make one. 👍🏻 maybe I’ll try just on a beach in the garden

[@ukcarpenteroutdoors7081]

Just how I do it now - Fit ply liners before plaster to masonry. After plasterers have been . Router hinges into frames , put leading edge of doors both side with plain or router , router doors , fix hinge side plumb, swing door , left lower leg and lock side of frame to suit gap on the door , fix top and bottom , check frame legs are parallel, fix leg , foam all around with fire foam . Perfect door and frame . No plaster on frame Great channel Rob keep the videos coming . ATB mate 👍🏻

[@ukconstruction]

Your method is great, and providing the structural openings allow I feel this would be a better way to build full stop!! keep up the great work mate

[@ukconstruction]

I Like your Channel to mate!!

[@ukcarpenteroutdoors7081]

@@ukconstruction thanks mate that’s a big compliment coming from you. need to upload more content , just no time At the moment with the work load we have on 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@ukconstruction]

@@ukcarpenteroutdoors7081 Its really hard mate to mix filming in with working!! I look forward to seeing more in the future, I am subscribing!!

[@WhippyEU]

Love how Robin just casually give Mr Lumberjack a bollocking haha

[@ukconstruction]

Gary is a great friend of mine and we give each other serious digs all the time, he is probably the best heating engineer on the planet!!!!!

[@thetallcarpenter]

Perfect video for the time of year.🤩 Its full of Easter eggs!!. I wasn't expecting to laugh as much, especially at 16 mins.😂 Great idea, and I noticed that you only turned the tabs on the forma clockwise.😎

[@ukconstruction]

Love the fact you noticed the tabs thing!!! Del I am sure we must have been in the same class back in the 80's!!!!

[@thetallcarpenter]

@@ukconstruction I did laugh when you mentioned your tall mate. I worked with a guy who was a foot and a half shorted than me. We looked ridiculous tacking ceilings together.🤪 Cheers.

[@paulnewman2115]

Great idea Robin you an the tall Carpenter have great channels, keep it up lads 👍👌

[@stevelake8046]

Bought your hinge jig, great bit of kit saves loads of time, keep making the videos always useful tips thanks

[@Goodwithwood69]

Been doing that for years, learned it off a yank, he called it a door buck.

[@pauljackson5482]

If you want to point then point. To me it's like your conducting an orchestra. Your own personal one, it keeps you flowing. Thanks for all your help.

[@ukconstruction]

Thank you Paul!!!

[@Eldorado1253]

Robin that template is great just needs the center rail removing so you can step through it to check the other side if only one door into the room your fixing the lining center rail could be a loose piece great video look forward to the next

[@grrinc]

Really useful ideas and well presented. Apart from the few 'The Office' moments obviously.

[@moomastico]

priceless banter

[@simony2801]

would have been interesting seeing more installation details such as the foaming.

[@jasonald71]

Good stuff as ever, I'm always dubious about the fixing strength in mdf though for the door hinges tbh. Pre packaged softwood frames are awful and I've had to take loads back due to twisting/cupping etc or had to try and fix them on true with fixings which creates a real job that can take a lot of time. The foam is a great idea aswell, upvc doors have been set like this for ages, sometimes frame fixing isnt the best so anything helps. Downstairs for dancing, upstairs for thinking. Mr Clevett is always thinking.😉

[@pauloconnor9459]

Door jig is a very smart idea

[@danthechippie4439]

Nice idea, I wondered if you would take the time to demonstrate 'sighting a door frame ' for double doors obviously but some people have trouble understanding the principle.

[@willbee6785]

Easy enough. “Out of wind” if it’s wrong. Sometimes if you can’t get your eye-line through from standard to standard; use thin fishing line from corner to corner. When the line touches in the middle, your bang on the plane for both doors. (Especially if the doors have a half check on the lock side) Hope this helps others Dan.

[@neilquantick9207]

What a great ‘system’ Robin..... 👌🏼👍🏼

[@frank1847]

I think the time saved doing doors and frames this way is excellent and also not having to shoot the door before fitting is a very big bonus. This is a great idea. I think I will make and use these m d f door templates. Giant Haystacks Plumbing Services was a bundle of laughs, cant wait to work with him. Another great little video Robin, You obviously put a lot of thought into making these, and I'm sure everyone will agree with me that its much appreciated.👍

[@haydnwilliams877]

Nice work

[@Samfarrelly]

Another banging idea! It’s gonna make a repetitive and awkward job nice and easy! Love the hinge and door jig, simple and very effective 👌

[@sally6457]

Been doing this for 15 years, the only way to make money on price work. Door linings are rarely manufactured with the suitable tolerance for the door, gaps and paint, So I adjust the opening when fitting to make second fix easier. I can't get my head around a joiner that would need to be told such a simple thing

[@Crooks103]

This is an incredible method. Proper thinking

[@tomreviews9668]

Already bought one of the hinge jigs shown- I can confirm it works well!

[@sickoftheleftwingscum]

Where did you purchase it my good man ? 👍😁

[@hermand]

See, now I'm irritated at myself. Fitted my first door lining this weekend - had plenty of time, and wanted to get it spot on. Considered doing almost exactly what you've done here and squaring and fixing it all up perfectly out of situ, but I'd never seen anybody do it. Still very happy with the end result (not that there's a door in it yet!) but wish I'd followed my idea now!

[@daviddickson7494]

Great work and perfect timing. Have the same problem and was looking for a good solution. Thanks for sharing

[@ukconstruction]

No problem 👍

[@storegga]

Cracking idea Robin great video or 'lecture' shall we say once again . You can tell Jason now that you do all the jobs big and small or showing KZbin how to do it while he's lecturing!!

[@pcranebmw]

Excellent system. Great video as always. Hi Gary.

[@davelever2550]

I do this. I have a few cheap ply doors that I use with packers screwed on the side, so I can change the margin if for example there fire doors with brushes

[@paulsaunders3700]

Simple but brilliant

[@garethkortegast7002]

What s fantastic idea robin. Why didn't I think of that 👍

[@iangascoigne967]

Great idea maybe take the middle out of the mdf due to access issues If existing walls are out of plumb and in twist potentially comes down to do you put frame to the wall or happy medium or spot on plumb/level

[@davidgoodwin8232]

Good idea, but not when other trades are around.

[@whomadethatsaltysoup]

Yeah, but exactly when are other trades not around? Dream on...😉

[@michaelplays2449]

Great video, thanks Robbin.....Stay Safe !

[@midagedman2719]

I router the jambs on the bench....before assembly and install...

[@danielcookeb90]

Brilliant video and great analysis of softwood vs mdf. How many "jigs" do you have??? Jeez! Millions!!!🤣🤣

[@waynecharlton954]

Did nine linings thee other day I had to trench all the heads on most off the linings on 170 mill linings some I had to rip down for the plasters had to make 2 linings for 0.609m mill doors or 2 ft made them the openings 0. 613 m then fitted them to masonry walls all were nice and plumb level and in wind

[@josephthompson4363]

As usual, a great informative video

[@danielspendley8202]

What a great idea!!!!

[@rodgerq]

Haha! Mad Gary! Good video and that door substitute is a great idea!

[@jamiestott3371]

Great idea. Always look forward and watch your videos. Top chippie 👍🏻

[@markbruton6967]

got to do this exact job in the next couple of weeks and i've just ordered your hinge jig as well, so hopefully fully armed to give it a go!

[@thetessellater9163]

Couldn't ask for a more skillful example to emulate, Mark, good luck.

[@petergibbins4930]

Just purchased a hinge jig thanks! You need more tools and jigs in your shop 😂

[@johncurrie2802]

Great video Robin We have just fitted 11 fire doors and frames and had the benedit of cutting walls to suit our new frames so we did this but used a fire door blank cut down to the required size. Worked a treat. Just like hanging door sets really.

[@jjamo5]

Thats bloody Genius!!!!

[@johnmorrissey1675]

Great idea if you have a few doors to swing , very impressed 👍👏🇮🇪🍀👋👋

[@paulyoull5472]

Good video robin as usual. It would be nice to see more on the fixings into block work. I find it crumbles even with the concrete fixing. In relation to the hinge jig, have you gone away from using the trend jig?

[@martinroberts5577]

This looks like a live. Great stuff

[@Bazwatches]

Ok on a domestic site, cause murders on a commercial, I still hate mdf linings, Sign of the times I suppose, Purpose made joiners shops will soon be a thing of the past, Lots of good innovations over the last 30 years I've been doing carpentry & joinery but still feel our trade is being watered down with every generation, Had a listen to Your episodes on fix radio today which I did Enjoy, Might make my apprentice use my old yankee for a week, Weird how I enjoy watching carpentry videos after spending the day doing it, do other trades do this I wonder ?

[@thetallcarpenter]

Its not weird Barry.🤪 I knew our trade was in trouble 25 years ago when I saw a complete, GRP dorma window turn up on the back of a lorry. They just craned it into position, and flashed it into the roof tiles. Never mind about making your lad use the Yankee, let him have a go with just a screwdriver!!. (I remember getting my first Yankee screwdriver. It was like sorcery😂)

[@ricos1497]

Give it a few years and there'll be a machine there 3D printing the perfect door frame before wheeling itself to the next one. You'll be paid £3.25 per hour to watch it and put it back in the van once it's finished. You won't own the machine or the van, and once you've paid for their hire you'll be left with £0.86 per hour, not including the time taken to get to the job.

[@scottyboimcfc]

@@thetallcarpenter When the Yankee slips off and goes into your bastard hand haha use to look after it though had forearms like popeye as an apprentice.

[@thetallcarpenter]

@@scottyboimcfc 😂

[@thetallcarpenter]

@@ricos1497 Many a true word said in jest!!!

[@richardstrange7629]

Really good content Mr Clevett . I know you must have considered it , but why not router the hinges into the frame , before fixing ??

[@ianfinch1522]

I would say then you have the option to swing the door either way.

[@andrewjames9963]

What a good idea

[@Couldntthinkof1gudenuff]

Brilliant video! Definitely my favourite channel 👍🏻

[@sionwilliams4021]

That plumber love the limelight 😂

[@hernebaybob]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I wish there were more like you. Your waiting list must be huge!

[@bigboundsy]

Looks a ball ache! I’ve always fixed my hinge side then fixed my closing side to the door when it’s swinging!!

[@robertgray8752]

Nice job, Robbin

[@eliteflooringsussex5911]

At least the plumber wasn't driving you mad... Great video as usual

[@shaunglendinning]

Great idea and fine job Robin! Appreciated. Cheers

[@Oli_Hudson]

"are you filming?" haha

[@khansk36]

Thanks for sharing excellent tips cheaper and more effective than braces

[@pauledwards9493]

Plasters can come and make a mess - no truer words spoken. And cause mayhem.

[@storegga]

Does the former take into account the gap for the no pipe plumbers to get through ? 🤣

[@thetessellater9163]

Since when has any plumber worth his salt run out of pipe, for god's sake..! Or is it Robin's job, and he keeps an impossibly tight rein on materials spending..?

[@storegga]

@@thetessellater9163 one thing is if he had a swear jar that would pay for miles of pipe. Not sure if Robin is just keen to have less bleeps on edit or just doesn't like it. Each to their own but I'm not keen on guys swearing loads on site or factory floor ...for benefit of customers and also sentences eventually lose all descriptive meaning when preceded by 5 f bombs per millisecond. Been there myself before realising I can't communicate very well without casual swears.

[@tompenneck1501]

In an ideal world

[@llamedosr7843]

Love your ideas

[@68bwild]

Plumbers what would we laugh about if they weren't onsite.......painters I guess. Good stuff Robin.

[@Ianf1x]

Great vid I was loving it when you got annoyed . I am like that every time I work with people who acts like a clown

[@tomsmith9048]

Your jobs must be good craic 🙄🔨

[@vicinglis3736]

Hi Robin, had to take a second look at the date, 1st April don't think I could go through and back the bottom opening of that jig even I my slim time on site. Nice one ( how did you appear on both slides, or perhaps twoooo doors in that room).. lol

[@ukconstruction]

I can fit through!!!!

[@vicinglis3736]

@@ukconstruction .. well done Mr C keep the vids coming.

[@paulmaryon9088]

Great jig/former, thinking it could also be adapted to do hinge jig at the same time? Excellent vids thanks for posting

[@danthechippie4439]

Do you have any concerns about the weight of the doors hanging from mdf liners? As you know mdf has two tough strong outer cores but a much softer inner core. If the doors were being hung without receiving for the hinges you be laughing but as we normally recess our hinges that removes that outer hard core and the screws can only grab that soft inner core unless you use longer screws and break through to the other outer core which leaves screws sticking out. Great form idea

[@ph110760]

I’m surprised someone hasn’t come up with a skeleton door jig , adjustable to different door sizes , IE Trend . Could be made adjustable to suit , 2’3 ,2’6 ,2’9 etc, using same sides but a different head pice to suit, made like the skeleton hinge jig , easily storable in your van , and easier to move on site

[@ukconstruction]

Hi Phil watch this space!!! we have something in the pipeline!!!

[@ph110760]

@@ukconstruction definitely will Robin, been in the building and construction trade for 40 years now, love your tips and explanations, I can also see a top class tradesman 👏

[@thetessellater9163]

"Fix it, foam it, and go" - Robin's on the innuendo again...

[@acave2897]

Needed this vid 2 mths ago 🤦‍♂️

[@tomearnshaw8532]

Cracking idea.

[@jurijkosztovszki4110]

Vey nice especially part where he locks himself , then just go around 👀.1 blocked door ll cause havoc on job site☝️