On 7 Jul 2006 10:42:20 -0700, wrote:

Hi,

I built this small frame-and-panel door to cover the access to the
plumbing of my bathroom:


http://i.math.drexel.edu/~pg/door.jpg


I have a couple of questions about the frame:
1. What is the best way of attaching it the wall? I used brad nails
(the ones with tiny hats that with small indentations for punching in).

Would using a nail gun have been appropriate and easier?

Finishing nails, probably about 2" long. Pre-drilled holes will
prevent splitting the wood. I doubt that a nail gun is better.



2. Should I have connected the three pieces of the frame together
before attaching the frame to the wall? I didn't. I felt that the sheer

from nailing the individual pieces to the wall would have broken the
connections b/w the pieces. As a result, the lines of contact b/w the
pieces came out quite sloppy.



Generally it is better to construct the entire frame, then attach it
to the wall. Plain butt miters are a bit weak, but these can be
reinforced with some kind of joinery.


If I should have put the frame together before attaching it to the wall

what is the proper way of doing it? Several ideas come to my mind:
little joiners on the back, brackets, nails.


Very many thanks in advance!


Aaron Fude