[Woodcarver] Carving Doors

[Gary & Marie Crosby]

Thanks Ron, the doors are inside and completely out of the weather. I plan
to glue two layers of wood with opposing grain to get the thickness and
stability, excellent point. I was planning on adding on to the door for all
my carvings other then the panels but I can add on there as well. The door
in the location now are quite heavy and the jamb is made of steel with three
very large ball bearing hinges. Some very good points thanks Ron


Chimo !

Hi Gary,

Cherry or walnut are fine as long as the door is in a protected
location.  I.E.  a covered entryway where rain splash and sun is
minimal.  If it is to be fully exposed to the weather,  I wouldn't
recommend putting the time into a carved door of any kind of wood
unless there are people who will maintain it religiously and then
mahogany is the only kind of wood I would use.

When you glue up the panels,  glue two layers of wood with opposing
grain.  I glue up the layers on the narrower boards first. Then joint
and glue them as you would a full thickness board.  I also use this
method with the stiles and rails.  The two layers adds greatly to the
stability.  Assemble the door prior to any carving.  Use a tongue and
groove technique with enough room for expansion as opposed to
mounting the panels with moulding.  Don't carve into the panel any
more than necessary.  Add on the areas of greater depth.  By carving
as little as possible into the door and stabilizing the panel prior
to carving,  you will have fewer problems with the panel.

I always use four ball bearing hinges.  Light weight hinges on a
heavy solid wood door will sag over time. I also like the smooth feel
of  ball bearing hinges on a high quality door.  I also recommend
that the framing adjacent to the hinge side of the jamb be secured
with metal framing brackets and extra long hinge screws screwed all
of the way through the jamb into the framing.  The constant opening
and closing of the door over time will cause movement in the jamb and
framing if it's not properly secured.

I didn't  know this when I built my house and all of my heavy
exterior doors are sagging on their hinges.  When I get around to it,
I will replace them but you know what they say about a cobbler's
children going without shoes.

Ron Ramsey
http://www.carvedbyramsey.com/doors.htm



>I just added the first concept design of my carved door on my web page. Go

>to the main page (link below)and on that page you will find "New Carving

>Designs" I would like any comments you have. The plan is to build the door

>with carved panels, then add ornamentation to that i.e. The Vimy Ridge

>statue and more. This should give it the depth I want. I am still planning

>on using Cherry or Walnut. Again feel free to send me any comments or

>recommendations you have via this net or use the link on my web page and

>send it that way. Thanks



>Chimo !



>Gary Crosby (Bing)



--
Ron Ramsey
http://www.carvedbyramsey.com


Be sure to look at the incredible nature inspired art jewelry hand
fabricated by my wife, Karen Olsen Ramsey.  It's worth the time to
take a look!
http://www.artjeweler.com
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