Replies

1. 
   jonblakemore | Jul 09, 2003 01:39am | #1

   There is no way possible that you can get two 81" pieces and one 32" piece out of 16' of profiled trim.  Some yards stock 17' trim.  If you think you could have made it work had you cut in a different order, you're wrong.

   Now, if you screw up, that's another story.

    

   Jon Blakemore

1. 
   dwcasey | Jul 10, 2003 05:56pm | #5

   That was kinda my point. I had enough for the two side, but not the top, or enough for the top and one side, but not the other side, so I go cutting into another piece of trim.

   I was just wondering how other people plan their trim. Sorta along the lines of Notchman's post.

   Thanks.

1. 
   Qtrmeg | Jul 11, 2003 02:34am | #6

   Like BB said, most fj casing is stocked 14ft, but last year I was running into a source that sent out 16's.

   I always measure and cut the whole house, so I start with the long lengths and worked down. 16's were a pain, and they added a couple of thoughts and a shake of the head or two. Even figuring window trim in, I had to lay down some casing in the scrap pile with the 16's, and I'll put my scrap against anyones.

   If you are only doing doors, order 14's.

2. 
   FrankB89 | Jul 09, 2003 01:44am | #2

   When putting a list together for trimming out, I usually count up 7 footers for the doors because the most of the yards I trade with stock that length.  2 1/2 7 footers will do one door (3-0/6-8 or narrower) and 5 seven footers will do two doors, etc.

   Windows, baseboards, etc., can be a little more involved, but, as you measure up your needs and map it out on a sheet of paper (or make up a little spread sheet for the purpose, like a friend of mine does), you can maximize utilization of mat'l. lengths.

   It's helpful, if you haven't done so, to stroll through the moulding racks in your lumber yards when you've got a little free time and get familiar with what is commonly stocked.

    

1. 
   Snort | Jul 09, 2003 02:25am | #3

   We get most of our door trim in 14' lengths (for 80" slabs)...I think you need to go right to left, could save you a bunch<G> EliphIno!

2. 
   dwcasey | Jul 10, 2003 05:54pm | #4

   Thanks Notchman, good advice.

3. 
   G80104 | Jul 11, 2003 06:16am | #7

   Notchman ,

                  Like you I use 7ft. sticks on 80 inch doors but my count is 5 sticks pre door because we case both sides. Never use MDF for door casing ,the stuff is junk for door casing!

   Edited 7/10/2003 11:17:40 PM ET by G80104

1. 
   FrankB89 | Jul 11, 2003 08:07am | #9

   You're right on the count... I guess that, in making my post, I was envisioning an entry door with a brickmold on the exterior since that was the configuration of the last door I installed and finished out.

   I disagree on the MDF...depends on the customer for one thing, because cost is sometimes an issue.  However, I've seen a lot of MDF painted trim jobs that rival anything else after several years.  And I've seen some wood mouldings look a little tacky after a similar period of use.  Part of that could be more an issue with the original paint job...

   At one time, my opinion of MDF was similar to yours, in part because I worked in a large sawmill and planing operation that supplied a lot of the raw material for an adjacent Partical Board and MDF plant.  I hated going into that facility on a hot muggy day and almost instantly suffer a dripping nose and burning eyes from the formaldehyde fumes. 

   I'm not a trim specialist by any means and do trim work only on occasion, but conceded some time ago that smashed wood dust had a place and was appropriate in some environments (interior, of course). 

1. 
   PhillGiles | Jul 11, 2003 06:00pm | #10

   Entry doors are a pain. It may be different where you are, but around here entry doors have raised sills which means the interior trim legs are > 7'. You can't cut 2 legs out of a 14' (often you're only an 1" short) and you can't use 7 footers, so you end up buying 2 14's to do an entry.

   The same thing happens on regular doors doing some period reproduction work, as the trim gets wider, the legs get longer than 7'. .

   Phill Giles

   The Unionville Woodwright

   Unionville, Ontario

3. 
   rayg1 | Jul 11, 2003 06:23am | #8

   I am planning an upstairs addition on my home. My floor joists are 2x6 straight grain doug fir. The span is 13ft. 4".

   Does anyone know if it would be okay to double these up to meet the requirements for a normal residential load?

   Any input would be greatly appreciated.