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Hi all,
The better half would like our bedroom door to open to the left instead of the right (she mentioned something about feng shui but I don't understand what chinese takeaway has to do with it). The hinges are recessed into the door frame at the moment, so I need to make a recess on the other side, as well as making a hole for the latch to shut into. Just wondering what the best way to do it would be without making a huge mess of the doorframes. Appreciate any help
Thx
A nice sharp chisel will do the rebates for the new hinge locations and the strike plate. A large drill bit will get the hole started for the latch and that can be finished with the chisel also. You could use a router as well but it will mkae more dust.
Alternatively use non-rebated hinges. They have no loose pin and come fixed in one piece.
They are a bit tricky to position but it will save you from making a hack out of the door jamb if you are not confident, but you will still have to check out the latch.
Jack ;)
Lay the hinge on the jamb where you want it (you could even scew it down to hold it well) and mark with a sharp knife. Remove hinge and cut lines good and deep. Use a router (I would free hand it) with a 12mm straight cutter. Banging the door jamb with even a sharp chisel can easily knock it loose and out of plumb. You don't have to go right up to the line with the router just very close will do and then use a chisel to clean the rest out. To fill the old recesses I'd use one of two methods: plane a piece to fit flush and then glue and pin in place. Or use auto body filler, regular wood filler doesn't fill such large areas all that well.
If the door is painted the same colour both sides, you may be able to rotate the door 180 degrees (on plan). If so use most of the original hinge rebate, reseat the hinge the other way around by chopping out the remainder of the rebate. Patch part of the original door rebate and the old hinge rebate with small timber patches. Then rehang door on the other door jamb.
If you have a mortice lock you may be able to just rotate the latch bolt so that it strikes on the opposite handing. If not you will have to spin the lock over using the same rebate (this needs some consideration depending on your lock). Then remove striker plate from old lock jamb and reinstall to new lock jamb, then patch old striker plate position.
This all sounds very simple and it is. But before commencing consider is the door square? Is the opening plumb and level? Assess existing lock type, does it suit new handing?
Carefully unscrew hinges remove door and hang from the top piece of canvas to cover hole this can be opened to the right or left when entering or leaving overcoming all Feng Shui problems .
Auto body filler certainly works if you are painting over the frame, but there is also builders bog (trade name) which is probably not disimilar. It dries quickly, sands easily and can be drilled cut etc.
Johnc