Swollen Doors

follyfoot

Some of my doors are swollen due to condensation. I dont want to take them off the hinges can I shave some wood off them in-situ? If so, can anyone recommend a plane for this type of job?

jrrowleyws

Depends where you need to do the shaving. The hinge side or bottom can be pretty difficult. I have crudely used a surform blade to trim a door base whilst its still hung, wasnt great and I ended up taking it off anyway!

follyfoot

jrrowleyws wrote: »

Depends where you need to do the shaving. The hinge side or bottom can be pretty difficult. I have crudely used a surform blade to trim a door base whilst its still hung, wasnt great and I ended up taking it off anyway!

side opposite to hinge side

jrrowleyws

No reason why you cant plane it whilst hung. Probabily wont get it done as evenly as you could if the door was removed though.

markie1980

It is also difficult to plane right to the bottom of the door with an ordinary hand plane or electric plane.
I would say it is easier in the long run to take the door of the hinges.

ormus

unless the lower part clears the door frame already, theres no way of doing it properly without taking the door off its hinges.

themanbearpig

Take them off the hinges, its just 6 screws, 2 minute job max. Putting them back is easy too. I wouldn't bother in situ, it will make the job harder than removing it from the frame.

Also while they are off, you should re-seal the doors to stop the expansion/contraction.