I'm dealing with a couple of solid core doors in my 1980s house that are quite tight, making them tough to open and close. What's the best tool to use for shaving them down? I'm considering options like an electric hand planer, a hand plane, a belt sander, or an orbital sander. Any recommendations or links would be appreciated!
3 Answers
Honestly, I've had great success with a block plane. It’s quick, and you can get very precise cuts. If it’s end grain sticking, I’d recommend belt sanding it down. Just be cautious with circular saws; they can remove too much material if not handled properly. Oh, and always check the hardware before making adjustments!
I've found that either an electric planer or a hand plane works wonders for this sort of thing. It really depends on your comfort level with tools and how much you need to take off. If you need a lot shaved off, go electric; otherwise, a hand plane can give you more control for smaller adjustments.
For trimming doors, I typically use a circular saw with a straight edge to get a clean cut, then I bevel the edge a bit. If the door's sticking at the side, just shim one edge of the hinge to adjust the height. It saves a ton of hassle!