Doormaking Patterns & Ideas
Review by Mark Gezella – June 2007
Another newsletter, another fine donation…
This month I'd like to talk about a book donated by Bob Colgate. What can I say - Bob does it all! Not only did he deliver a great presentation on bandsawn boxes last month, but he brought something to every meeting this year for show & tell, he donated a stack of books for our library a few months ago, and over the years he has held various positions on the Board. I don't know where his energy comes from?
You may recall Bob was Guild President when I first began to write articles for our newsletter. My seminal book descriptions were rather brief and somewhat "flat", and I'll never forget Bob's critique. At one point he said something to the effect of "…Mark, there's not much pizzazz to these. We need something with zip!...". I accepted that challenge and gave it top priority the next month. When the newsletter came out, Bob's reply was "…good article Mark - it has zip!...". I smile every time I reminisce about "those days". So, once again I collect thoughts and words to bring you an article I hope will adequately describe our new book with a flair spawned by the original "Colgatesque" admonition...
Do you believe in serendipity? For me, this book donation was timely. I can't stand the interior doors of our present home; they're unadorned, hollow-core, non-descript partitions that I find repulsive. Just one of many items on a mental list of things I'd like to replace in the house. And, even though I see this effort as quite sometime in the future, perusing this latest donation gives me some great ideas on what I might consider as replacements, along with how to go about accomplishing such a feat.
Doormaking Patterns & Ideas is aptly titled - contents are exactly what you would expect. Doors, especially those built for formal entry, can be both functional and expressive. They define the abode, and oftentimes make a dramatic statement about those who inhabit the space. What draws me to this book is the Author's pragmatic approach to this branch of craft. He insists you can create impressive entryways through use of ordinary power tools. I believe that's true, given his expert advice. I have to say Mr. Birchard offers more technical instruction in this book than any other I've ever reviewed. You've heard of extreme motorcross, or skiing, or mountain-biking, right? Well, consider this doormaking in the extreme!
After a quick Introduction, eight chapters describe how to make virtually any type of door you can think of. It begins with the basics of door-making, which includes construction techniques, door anatomy, hanging, and hardware. With these parameters in mind, the reader is led off in many different directions, with a multitude of suggestions on how to craft a door. Let your imagination be your guide!
The first half of the book provides chapters related to specific door styles; e.g., Batten, Layer, Frame & Panel, etc. Though each of these are written for a unique door style, instruction tends to repeat, and I'm afraid I'd wax redundant if I described each chapter individually. Suffice it to say all are great, providing complete text and illustrations necessary to create a respective style of door. Within the book's mid-section are several pages of finished doors in full-color - many stunning examples of what can be built. My only disappointment is that the book, as a whole, was published in black & white. I normally don't mind grey-scale, but in this instance I think it really detracts from what could otherwise be a dramatic experience for the reader. The last half of the book provides a l-o-n-g chapter on Miscellaneous Doors, which is really a catch-all for styles apart from those that garner their own chapter. It then wraps-up with segments on Spindle Shaper Techniques and Finishes, Maintenance & Repair.
Different materials are considered for door-making, though wood is an obvious choice and gets top billing. Included are several charts to suggest which species are best suited for indoor/outdoor use. The range of wood is limited to domestics, though any softwood or hardwood can be considered.
You know, I just couldn't help but feel Bob's influence as I wrote this article, and the book will be available for checkout at the next general member meeting!