Expert: Jamie Yocono - 9/12/2011

Question
hi Jamie - I built and installed cabinets for my kitchen, and now they need doors. I want make frame and panel doors using vertical grain doug fir for the rails and styles and 1/4" mdf with doug fir veneer for the panels. My plan is to run the rails and styles through a planar to get uniform thickness, and then use an adjustable tongue and groove router set to mill them.

1. In general, does this sound like a reasonable plan?

2. I don't have a jointer. If the wood is really nice, do forsee problems without one?

thx,
rob

Answer
Rob,

That sounds like a very reasonable plan, but I would be a little concerned about the lack of a jointer. What if you come across a board that has a slight curve on it's edge? It could give you headaches.

Since you have a router, you could true up your boards with that. Here is a link to show you how:
http://www.woodshopdemos.com/rtrplnr.htm

There is a lot of info out there about using a router to edge joint a board, so Google it if you didn't like the above link. It looked a little overly complicated.  I usually just clamp a straight edge to the wood and then run a flush cut bit on the edge.

I've remodeled entire bathrooms and kitchens without a jointer, so I wouldn't be overly concerned. It sounds like you know what you're doing, I think you'll be fine. Good luck!

Jamie in Vegas



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Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com
My woodworking blog: www.wooditis.blogspot.com