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Door Jamb Back Kerfs…Nessasary?

notrix | Posted in Construction Techniques on October 2, 2004 09:45am

Hi All,

Building some custom door jambs and I’m wondering how important it is to run a series of 1/8″ x 1/8″ kerfs on the back>

I’m using 4/4 solid oak. Will this help stabalize it?

Thanks,

W

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  1. Snort | Oct 03, 2004 12:29am | #1

    I don't think the back relief would hurt. I've always done it to keep any cupping down to a minimum. You've got to hate it when a door jamb moves in any way.

    I run them about 3/8" wide by a fat 1/8th deep, with maybe 3/8ths between them. Seems to be what the stuff we off the rack has been run.

    I just remembered you say you've got oak, I would definitely relive the back.

    Don't worry, we can fix that later!

  2. DougU | Oct 03, 2004 02:18am | #2

    Definitely worth it. You may regret it if you don't, and it does not take all that long.

  3. User avater
    JeffBuck | Oct 03, 2004 02:51am | #3

    Will this help stabalize it?

    Yes.

    I set the table saw blade about a fat 8th high .... have the fence about an inch from the edge ....

    the run one side ... flip .. run the other ...

    bump the fence to about 2 inches .... run/flip/run ...

    roughly center the cut ... run one last time ...

    takes no time at all ....

    Jeff

    edit to say "spin" might be a better choice of words than flip ...

    Buck Construction, llc   Pittsburgh,PA

         Artistry in Carpentry                



    Edited 10/2/2004 7:52 pm ET by Jeff J. Buck

  4. DavidxDoud | Oct 03, 2004 04:35am | #4

    if you can,  orient the wood so the heart side is the visible side of the jamb (look at the end of the board at the growth rings,  make the heart side the finish side) - this will cause any attempt to cup result in the center of the jamb coming proud - that's a lot better than the edges pulling away -

    of course,  nice tight grain quartersawn stock is even better <G>

    "there's enough for everyone"

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