On 17 Dec, 16:12, Fred wrote:
Hello,

I am needing to construct a door frame for a 7'x7' garage door. Any
pointers on how to make the strongest best frame possible?

The timber merchant advised me to use 3"x3" wood and to treat it
myself. He said anything bigger would be too big and heavy. Do you
agree?

Is any treatment better than any other?

Another merchant said not to take the frame to ground level so it does
not get damp, but I'm not sure that I can do this; after all, if I
leave a gap, doesn't that give thieves a point to insert a crow bar?

How do I make a suitable mortise? is it time to buy a router? How deep
should the mortise be?

What frame fixings shall I use: are some more secure than others?

Thank you very much.

This is quite a heavy door to make of wood. Think of your front door
- have you ever taken it off and rehung it - and then double it plus
as with that size you will need not only a centre brace but cross
bracing to that as well to keep it square. If it is indeed an 'up and
over', how do know that the springs are strong enough to take a wooden
door ?

If you haven't done any major wood work before, this is a bit of an
ambitious project to start on. If I was doing this, and I've recently
built 4 shed doors, I would go and find a friendly carpenter/joiner/
cabinet maker to give me some advise on timber size, joints,
bracing ,etc. even with my level of hands-on experience - and I have
routers, bench circular saw, etc.

I need too think how to word this tactfully, but basically the lack of
detail and variability of the advise so far given would make me think
that those giving advise so far have not undertaken such a task and
are trying to be helpful. Anyone who had built such a structure, or
anything near it, would know exactly the suitable timber sizes, etc.

So my advise - go and get some from a professional.

Rob
Rob

There are other forums where there are specialist areas to ask such
questions - DIYNot.com, and the woodworking section of
ukworkshop.co.uk.