Cutting cat door into wooden door
#1
05-01-13, 08:02 AM
Cutting cat door into wooden door
Hey everybody,
I am planning on cutting a cut door into a wooden door. I have researched a bit and have come up with either using a jigsaw or a grinder. What are your suggestions? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
I am planning on cutting a cut door into a wooden door. I have researched a bit and have come up with either using a jigsaw or a grinder. What are your suggestions? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
#2
05-01-13, 09:06 AM
Super Moderator
A grinder? That must have been for a metal door. A router maybe, but a jig saw will do just fine.
What kind of door? Solid wood? Hollow? Paneled or flat? Need to know so you don't cut a structural part of the door.
What kind of door? Solid wood? Hollow? Paneled or flat? Need to know so you don't cut a structural part of the door.
#3
05-01-13, 09:19 AM
Group Moderator
Is this a cat door to the outside or between rooms within your home?
I would come in several inches from the bottom and edge of the door to leave solid wood around the perimeter for structural strength. Then mark out the hole you need to cut. Drill a hole somewhere inside the cut out area large enough for your jig saw blade to fit through. Then cut out your opening. For a hollow core door or a wood door with a veneer I would use a fine toothed blade but if the door is solid wood you can use a more aggressive tooth for faster cutting.
I would come in several inches from the bottom and edge of the door to leave solid wood around the perimeter for structural strength. Then mark out the hole you need to cut. Drill a hole somewhere inside the cut out area large enough for your jig saw blade to fit through. Then cut out your opening. For a hollow core door or a wood door with a veneer I would use a fine toothed blade but if the door is solid wood you can use a more aggressive tooth for faster cutting.
#8
05-01-13, 05:54 PM
Pet door frames are meant to be screwed into solid wood. A hollow door wont hold the screws and the inside of the door will be exposed. I have had success sneaking 1x wood into the hollow door to frame the opening. Secure the pieces with carpenters glue and brads. This might not work if your door has pressed panels to give it depth.
#9
05-01-13, 06:03 PM
Super Moderator
I modified a cat door because of the same reasons..used stainless machine screws and nuts. Think I had to drill and make little divots on the inside frame to hold the nuts.
Used vinyl cove moulding trimmed to width and caulk to fill in the hollow area. Have to get creative sometimes.
Used vinyl cove moulding trimmed to width and caulk to fill in the hollow area. Have to get creative sometimes.
#10
05-01-13, 07:41 PM
I don't think you meant vinyl...but composite. Normally referred to as Masonite?
Originally Posted by herndog
It's a hollow door with panels,
Our doors may have Masonite inside where the hinges and handle mount, but IDK (haven't had to take one apart). I think it's actually wood there. Is that what you mean by a composite door?
#11
05-02-13, 05:40 AM
Group Moderator
I was asking if it was an entry or interior door to better gauge it's construction and to see if I should recommend an RFID locking door.
#12
05-02-13, 07:58 AM
Super Moderator
Nash...probably just a terminology thing, but I've never ever seen a vinyl interior door. What you describe is exactly what I mean by a composite. Almost the same material as pegboard or "hardboard", only much thinner and molded with a woodgrain. Older ones have solid wood perimeter frames but most have gone to a pressed wood or mdf type.
If you took a handle off you'd see what I mean.
If you took a handle off you'd see what I mean.
#13
05-02-13, 12:47 PM
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Not the best picture but this is what mine looks like. I did this more than ten years ago. The door is a hollow core and that heat-set fibrous material. As I recall the cat door was made with studs on this side and album screw receivers for the other side so it worked well, sort of a sandwich consisting of the frame-door-frame. I had to remove the flap as he refused to push it open with his head. Nonetheless the laundry room stays at least ten degrees cooler than the rest of the house so the cat door was a huge success over just removing the entire door. As I recall I used my Roto-Zip to cut out the hole and it was rather roughly cut.
#14
05-02-13, 03:24 PM
RFID locking door.
#16
05-03-13, 10:16 PM
probably just a terminology thing, but I've never ever seen a vinyl interior door. What you describe is exactly what I mean by a composite.
Older ones have solid wood perimeter frames but most have gone to a pressed wood or mdf type.
