How to Install a Door

A guide for a novice in the carpentry industry

By Matthew Walmsley


This instructional manual is intended for an apprentice in the carpentry trade. It will provide
steps on how to install a basic door and door jamb.








Contents

Page number
Introduction 2

Tools and Materials 4

Steps 5

Jamb Door stop












Introduction
This is an instruction manual for an apprentice who is required to assist with a fix out. A fix out
is when the plasterers are finished and the carpenters are installing doors jambs, architraves
and skirting. Most apprentices would not be confident with this task at first, it will require direct
instruction and supervision until you are familiar with the task.
The door jamb is made so that the door has something to swing on. They are also installed in
case the frame isnt plumb. The jamb can be adjusted to make sure the door is level.
This task is performed onsite. The doors and jambs are delivered to that site in a pack.
Before you begin to write down the measurements, and make as many complete jambs as you
need, to finish the interior of the house. It is a lot easier to build the jambs on site because you
can measure the size of the doors and not just assume common sizes. These can differ for each
job. Before commencing the apprentice needs to see if there will be architraves or will it be
square set. Also check that you have gathered al tool and materials. Check that the fix out gun
has nails or gas.
The client will expect a strong, level door and jamb that makes the door sit level and a door stop
that doesnt let light through from the other side..

Leave the headings and answer in complete sentences:-
The steps involved:
1. Cut the wood to size
2. Arrange timber on the ground
3. Shoot jamb together
4. Screw the hinges on the door
5. Lift door in to door jamb
6. Hold door up with chisel
7. Drill the door into place
8. Place door stops.
9. Shoot on door stops




.


What Personal Protective Equipment is needed?
You need to keep your wits about you if you are not holding the timber correctly you may shoot
a knot in the timber and the nail skews out and goes into your hand
Safety glasses- in case on the drop saw chips go in your eyes
Have your white card- so you know how to identify a danger on the worksite
Steel cap boots anything is dropped it doesnt break your toes.
What are the Health and safety requirements and considerations?
OHS for Introduction
Start with-

OHS responsibilities of the employer- Providing personal protective equipment, including
instructions on how to properly use and wear the equipment.
Controlling the risks of injury and disease from workplace machinery and equipment and
workplace noise.
Reducing the risk of injury and disease from the workplace environment.
Preventing and minimising the risk of exposure to hazardous substances and manual handling
injuries.

Apprentice requirements
Providing personal protective equipment, including instructions on how to properly use and
wear the equipment.
Controlling the risks of injury and disease from workplace machinery and equipment and
workplace noise.
Reducing the risk of injury and disease from the workplace environment.
Preventing and minimising the risk of exposure to hazardous substances and manual handling
injuries.
Risk- the risks involved in carpentry are the use of power tools incorrectly could cause major
damage.
White card NSW- Workers in the construction industry face dangers on the job that can be potentially
fatal, getting your safety training is an important aspect of beginning a career in this field. After
completing a white card course, Sydney jobseekers are enabled to begin working in the industry
according to law, and are also equipped with a foundational knowledge of safety precautions that should
be taken on any construction site.
Although working through a white card course is formally required by law, there are actually many
benefits to taking the course. For example, Sydney construction workers who have completed training
for the white card will be able to recognise dangers on the job more easily. Additionally, working in
construction without a white card can result in penalises both for you and your employer and cause you
to lose your job. By obtaining their white card, Sydney employees eliminate their chances of being fired
and fined for working illegally on a construction site.

















Tools and materials

Fix out gun

Impact driver

Drop saw

Level 1200


Hammer

Door jamb

Door





Steps
Step 1 Measuring Jambs
Measure the door sizes both width and height
Hint: Take 2 ml to each length so that the jamb isnt too tight.











Step Two: cutting sizes
Each door needs 3 lengths two sides and one width for the top. Cut the jambs to the sizes using
the drop saw
Hint: The drop saw is used by pushing the jamb up hard against the back of the saw. Then
pressing the safety and pull saw downward and it will cut the jamb.




Step Three: Nailing jambs together
Nail the jambs together placing the smallest piece at the top and nail the side pieces into it.
When shooting hold your wrist straight so the nail doesnt skew and wreck the inside of the
timber.

Hint: When nailing jambs together remember to keep your other hand out of the range of the
nail.
Hint: Using a nail gun by pushing the front of the gun into the timber the safety will close, pull
the trigger then the gun will fire a nail into the timber.



Fence
Trigger and safety










Step 4
Shoot the jamb into the door frame with the nail gun. Shoot the nails horizontally so that the
door can be adjusted when it is in place
Hint: The nail shots should be parallel so it can be adjusted in place.






Step 5 levelling the jamb
Place the 1200 level against the jamb and adjust with your hammer so it is plum in the space. If
the space for the door in the frame is too big there can be, small gaps between the jamb and the
frame


Hint: Spirit level: place the edge of the level against the jamb, then adjust the jamb until the
bubble in in-between the two lines is centred.

Step 6 installing door
Hanging door at the required height
Screw the door hinges on the door preferable 200ml for the top the 200ml from the bottom.
Prop the door at the required height with a chisel or wedge. Screw the hinges into the jamb
using an impact driver Hint: (Screw one or two in the top and bottom to begin with,
when its positioned, finish it off)

Hint: Use stainless steel screws so there is no chance of rust if the hinges are not to be painted







Step 7
Door stop
Close the door and when it is shuts shoot the stop hard up against the door on the side and the
top. At the top take it back one or two mill so if the door is slammed it wont break.










Glossary
Jamb: the timber that the door screws on to
Door stop: the timber that goes around the side of the door with the hinges
Shoot: using the fix out gun nailing
Gun: nail gun which is used to nail each item together
Plumb/lever: the item youre levelling is exactly vertical or horizontal depending on the item




Door stop (also to stop light coming
where the hinges are)