Replies

1. 
   sharpblade | Dec 10, 2007 06:09am | #1

   You can buy just the slabs, 34" wide, easily available. Shave an 1/8 on each side. Use old door as template to mark and mortise the hinges. Keep the scope of the job to a minimum, why mess with framing and new trim if you don't have to.

   I jut did that for a client, same dimensions...

   Welcome to BT, I like your screen name, have made many knives with bocote handles. May we suggest you fill in some info in your profile so folks can help you better (at least location). Click on your name, window pops up...

1. 
   Bocote | Dec 10, 2007 07:27am | #7

   definetly an active board to get responses this quick

   took some time to come up with a good user name, who would have guessed that exotic wood names would mostly be taken up already :)

   Thanks for the welcome!

    

    

2. 
   DanH | Dec 10, 2007 06:16am | #2

   There's not that much cost difference between a prehung standard sized door and a custom-ordered door of similar design.  So wood doors could be ordered a hair large and trimmed to fit without much trouble (though some additional labor expense).  Metal doors are a little trickier -- some have wood edges that give you about 1/4" to play with total, others don't.

   The other option would be to remove the stops in the existing frame and fit a standard 32" door and frame into the opening.  This could be done without looking too obnoxious and might save a few pennies, plus you'd be getting a new frame and door seals.

   Just don't ask me to cut down the frame.

   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
1. 
   Piffin | Dec 10, 2007 06:45am | #3

   Since this is a hundred year plus old Victorian, I doubt there is a removeable stop in these jambs. They'd be solids.So his best bet is to simply fit new blanks 2'10" x 6'8" to the frames he has. Normally I'd say prehungs, but he wants to minimize the trauma to the house. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   DanH | Dec 10, 2007 07:05am | #5

   Depends. Milled jambs were only available where there was a satisfactory millwork plant. And in any event the stops could be chiseled/routered off. Thing is, the opening, as described, would be an almost perfect fit for a 32"x80" prehung (once the stops were removed).
   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

1. 
   Piffin | Dec 10, 2007 07:27am | #6

   "the stops could be chiseled/routered off."LOL, did you notice the part where he mentioned keeping the mess to a minimum? 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   DanH | Dec 10, 2007 02:45pm | #8

   A little plastic on the inside and the mess stays on the outside.
   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

3. 
   PhillGiles | Dec 10, 2007 07:03am | #4

   Sharpblade has the right idea: did this a couple of years back on a century home; new custom doors made to fit an existing frame, used a Milwaukee hinge-jig to match new hinges in old mortices.

    

   Phill Giles

   The Unionville Woodwright

4. 
   acornw | Dec 10, 2007 08:59pm | #9

   I would suggest that you consider custom wood doors in the flavor of the originals. If it is a 100 yr old house, chances are 50-50 that the doors have been replaced, usually with a lower level of design and quality.

   And if you are going to go with new doors, you could also replace the jambs and get a nice pre-hung with the hinges, sill, latch prep and weatherstripping that will take this into the next century.

   Having spent my working life building such doors, I can tell you that absolutely no one ever regrets the improvement. Many that have short cut the project have come back with regrets, some re-doing it completely to make it right. Of course, I do have my prejudices.

   Dave S
   http://www.acornwoodworks.com