Do you have a door that sticks on the top or bottom and you would like to fix the swing without leaving uneven cut marks. This can be a difficult task when the door only catches on one side, because you will end up with a cut that goes from 1/8 – 1/2″ to nothing. You can use a plane, but the door will end up like hamburger if you don’t know what you are doing. There is a much easier way to accomplish this task. Here is what you need. A circular saw, two quick clamps, tape measure, a strait edge (I use a especially straight 1×4). First measure how much you will need to cut off the door while it is on the hinges. Try to make the the clearance from the door or jamb equal all the way across the door. Do this by adding the clear section (the area of the door that does not stick) of the trim to the amount of material is actually sticking to the jamb or door. Usually a door clears the jamb by 3/16 – 1/16″, if the jamb sticks over the full perimeter of the door start with 1/8″ or less clearance. When you know how much material you need to remove from the door write it down on a piece of paper. Measure the wide side of the circular saw’s base with a tape measure (see picture). The wide side of most circular saw bases is usually around 5″, make this measurement within a 1/16″. Add this number to the amount to be removed from the door. Mark the door with this number on the side where the material is to be removed. Then mark the other side either with just the base measurement (if it is an angled cut going to zero), or with the same number if you are making a strait cut. Put the strait edge on the marks you just made on the door, then clamp it in place with the clamps (use tight clamps and protect the door with a thin piece of wood or cardboard). With the saw not plugged in check the location of the strait edge. It will be used to guide your saw. Lift the guard on the saw and butt the base against the strait edge. The blade should be taking off approximately what your original estimate was. **WEAR saftey glasses for this task*** Plug in the saw and slowly make your cut, you may have to manually pull up your guard depending on your saw. If you have to pull up your guard to so very cautiously, this is a good way to cut yourself if you are not careful.

Share on Facebook