How to Build a Custom Door Jamb (and Hang Your Salvage Doors!!) 

Who had the AUDACITY to thumbs down this video! Stud Pack is one of the most humble, knowledgeable, tradesman on RU-vid. I consistently am amazed at the way he dispenses these priceless gems from his profund well of knowledge, all while teaching without being obnoxious. He delivers his message with the pride and dignity that only comes from truly being a humble person. What a pleasure it is to learn from you! I keep saying how much I love this guy and he never disappoints! Thank you again for helping me to demystify a current issue I was dealing with! You are one of the best in your field for sure! Louisiana is privileged to have you serve them with your love for the craft and dedication to the service you provide! Again. Bravo!

I think at least half of the views on this video are from me preparing to do this exact job. I searched forever looking for a video explaining how to make a jamb for double doors. This was perfect. I followed every step and it was easy. You guys nailed it.

My Notes: - If an old door -- ensure the depth of the hinges on the door is the same as the hinges. Make a shim to compensate if necessary **Make a mini jamb (a jig/template)** - Measure height of door, add ½”, use a 1x2. - This gives you enough to add the reveal at the top and floor gap at bottom. - Screw in hinges in door; pilot hole and screw into jig. - Take out hinge pins; use jig with hinges to bring to actual jamb - to transfer hinge locations. - label the jig (left or right) - Go to door opening and check for level. - Whatever the gap is on left or right, measure the height difference and ADD that to the actual jamb height. **Cut Side jambs** - If necessary, add measurement of gap from level difference to one of the jambs - Add 3/4” to each side jamb; to compensate for head jamb. - Route the rabbet joint at top of side jambs - Standard side jambs at 4 9/16” - rip wood to that width for standard 2x4 construction if your wood is wider. OR to whatever width your door opening is. - Sand your edges (it might be sharp!) **Transfer Jig to Side Jamb** - Line up the top of the jig with the bottom of the rabbet (where the head jamb will sit) - we’ve already compensated for the door reveal. - Mark the hinges on the jamb with a utility knife - Line them up with the FACTORY ROUND OVER (mark the hinge side with an X or arrow - this is where you will make your mortise). **Making your mortise (for the hinges on the side jamb)** - Determine how much hinge leaf is mortised into the door by measuring the depth from the face of the door to the back of the hinge. (e.g., 1” or 1 1/8”) - Make the SAME SIZE mortise on your side jambs - this ensures the face of the door jamb is even with the face of the door - Set your square to that depth. Mark the lines with a utility knife between your hinge marks. - Set depth of router the depth of the hinges (e.g., 1/8”). - Use your square to set the height of hinge. - Unplug router, bring square over to your router and match router depth - Use a sharp chisel to finesse the edges for the mortise for the hinges to sit perfectly in place. **Finishing up!** - Install hinges in doors and jambs, line it all up, and put in hinge pins! - Cut head jamb - Double check width, cut to length, and screw it in (pilot first) - It should look like a pre-hung door right now! - Set door in place - Add shims in sides at the top (locking door in place) - Add shims all around to perfect the reveals and evenness - Cut off shims - Door stops - cut to length - use finishing nailer to install - ensure doors sit and close nicely :)

A shout put to Jamie Perkins of Perkins Builder Brothers with the old school rounding off the edge with hand plane!!!

Guys, it's so refreshing and impressive to see the level of detail and care you put into a project. The real skill here is the dedication to follow the true process of going slow, paying attention to detail, and prepping your projects. I always love watching you fellas work. Appreciate all that you do!

Man, you guys crushed this tutorial. I've been looking for a door jamb transfer jig and couldn't think of a way to fab my own. I have to build and hang a custom crawl space door and jamb and have complete confidence after seeing this vid. Thanks again and please keep up the quality content, boys!

This crew is a tribute to handyman everywhere. Tricks of the trade given in a entertaining manner, love it.

I used to install doors for a living. There are so many doors we threw away we could’ve done this with. Thanks a lot for sharing stud pack! OK now I got to get back to laboring.

Go to the salvage or antique store, you can find the 100 year old hardware for the 100 year old doors.

Great job! Thanks for sharing consistently high quality content. I made jambs for 3 doors in my home reno and hung antique doors in 2 of them. I have to say there is just nothing like the feel of a well hung solid door. The sound they make when hardware engages is too good for words to describe.

This is by far the best video, on retrofitting a door and making the door jamb, out there. I really appreciated the step-by-step and the jig for the hinges. I now feel completely confident I can take on the door installation I have been putting off. Thanks.

You guys have a very good teaching style, including the occasional questions. Reading a book is good but seeing things done - and explained like you do - makes a BIG difference. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Great work guys and awesome tips! Your son with his camera and editing skills is setting y'all up for your own DIY Network show! He really does have a gift behind the camera. You have a gift of gab and transferring your knowledge seamlessly and genuinely. Carry on

Thank you for showing how to build everything you need to install a salvaged door! I also use salvaged hinges & other hardware too. I love using salvaged materials & this is a great way to show how to use them even in newer homes.

I didn't know what a VIX bit was until I saw you use one at 4:40. THANK YOU! Just ordered some. No more trying to use a nail punch to start a drill bit centered and hope for the best...which usually doesn't happen. Game changer.

I've always hated cutting hinge pockets and praying they were properly aligned (and rarely being perfect). The jig is an awesome tip, thanks! The router I finally purchased this year will also make getting a consistent flat depth easier than using a chisel for the whole thing too. Not to mention the vix bits!👍

We are an overstock,salvage door shop and make our prehungs by hand and I love watching other guys doing the same thing. I love salvage stuff!

Sir you have no idea how much I've learned from you, my confidence has gone up atleast 10% more than where I started, may not sound like much but TRUST me it's a huge difference. Thank you for your patience and for willing to take the time to educate us all.

I really enjoyed the obvious pleasure and energy in this video. I adore old, heavy construction materials and could not agree more that salvaging and making a functional focal point of these doors adds a unique character. The practical info has me running for my notebook; saving this tutorial because I have a few old doors of my own!! Thank you. ☺️

Love this idea! I have done home restorations for many years and have mounted many nice old doors.... Just BE AWARE many old salvage elements have LEAD PAINT . Anything before 1978.

For small plugs (like screw holes, etc.), I keep a large box of Diamond kitchen matches close by. They're cheap, don't require much storage and are usually available at Dollar General.

Nice, I really like that clever hinge transfer gig. Awesome! A paint stick is the perfect hinge shim, one gallon ones thinner, 5 gallon ones thicker. They are free at HD.

10:21 Rabbet the top of both side jambs 10:58 Rip jamb material to 4 9/16 inch for 2X4 walls 11:15 Round over the face edges of each jamb 12:50 Scribe hinge locations for mortises on side jamb 13:40 Use router and wood chistle to cut out hinge mortises 15:48 Install hinges on door and on jamb 16:00 Install hinge pins to join the door and door jamb together 16:30 Cut and install head jamb 17:45 Level and shim to install with perfect reveal 19:20 Cut and install door stop strips

Been following you guys for a while and just randomly watching this older video. What makes Paul so great is dropping those constant nuggets of knowledge. Much appreciated

Ooo man! I needed this about 2 weeks ago I struggled thru it and my hinges lined up fine but it took me FOREVER! This is one heck of a tip!

I installed many beautiful salvaged doors in my century home. 2 of the most beautiful had large pattern cut glass panels in them. They were definitely one of a kind and received many positive comments. I miss my old house 🥲

THANK YOU for creating one of very very few videos on how to install a NON-(pre)hung door! I built some solid wood doors but have been nervous about hanging them because I wasn’t confident about matching the hinge locations onto the jambs (jamb with a “b” 😂). Though I anticipated the frames when routing the door hinges and created a transfer template, it didn’t seem like the most accurate method… I like yours! I also learned that paint sticks better to rounded corners and how to figure out how out to actually measure how out of level something is. High praise! Thank you!

Thank you so much for this video. You make it look so easy ! I purchased a home in Ohio built in 1881 I found several old doors in garage that eventually got demoed. I hope to incorporate some of my old doors into my home because the craftsmanship from this time period is priceless and the wood well greater than 130 years old is worthy of keeping. Keep up the great work I appreciate you passing on your knowledge I hope that I am able to replicate this process on three doors.

Except you do not have to go down on the floor with the level to find out how much off the floor is. Just draw two level lines somewhere 5 or so feet up - left and right and measure to the floor. Unless you like to do yoga of course. But at his age (and my), you might never get up.

0:46 Going to a Salvage yard is like going to an amusement park; could spend entire day (or days depending on the size of the place, as been to some huge ones before) looking around and “dreaming/thinking” of what projects could use each material with. I 100% enjoy it, but getting family or friends to with…..that’s a different story😄 17:11 NICE fasteners… Really like GRK branded fasteners👍🏻

We have several Architectural Reuse companies in our community... they have everything architectural there. Historic doors, windows, light, fixtures, glass, hardware, etc, etc. They have old door hinges by the hundreds, in all shapes, sizes, and conditions! I bet you'll find similar companies in your community as well. Much love guys! Keep up the great work!

Love that you mentioned Jamie Perkins. I love them too. No jealousy on your part. Good job guys.

Thank you, this is exactly what I was looking for, it's been 20 years since I last hung a door from scratch and needed a refresher on the jig.

dude!!! i'm almost 60 and have been doing this kind of works for 30 years. i've never hung an old door on new jamb... i watched this video several times before the attempt... 4 hours later, the door is hung with no problems.. Thanks Bro... this vid really helped... even tho its 2 years old... thanks again.

I would get so mad when my Dad had us do wood work. All I wanted to do was play baseball. Fast forward 30 years later, I'm glad I got to spend time with my Old Man. My Dad was right, I have saved a WHOLE bunch of money fixing my house. @ 16:19 i like how you kicked the "What ever kinda wood they use now" ..

I truly enjoyed every second of it. Brief but extremely enriched by load of tips throughout the process! nothing was uncovered for sure. You are a legend and a star. I'm speechless. Thank you kindly.

It's nice to see old millwork repurposed! Great Job!

Really love both your and your son's pleasant attitudes! Thanks for sharing what y'all do!!!

I followed your instruction to the letter today... and it worked! Thanks so much!

I'd never thought of making/fitting the frame to the door before hanging both together, but today I've seen 3 videos doing that? (yours is the best and easiest to understand). Thanks for the detailed explanations/demos

Excellent work true craftsmanship, I am 55 y.o. and I am right now building my personal cabin ( my 3rd home of my own I have built) I have built houses for family members, sheds, barns, decks, and two commercial buildings from ground up, but I am not so hard headed to think I know it all I come to your channel to learn, because I know it will be taught and explained correctly!

Paul, you are a true craftsman and a pleasure to watch and learn from.

Great job guys. Thanks so much for this video - it’s just what I needed. Young man, your Dad is an incredible craftsman, and electrician, and …. You get the point. 👍

You guys are having a blast and happy you are doing this .... fun and great education. Great work guys ...

That's what im talking about guys! This is just what I was suggesting a few weeks back. Excellent toolbox video to keep. I like the addition of the music too. Great work!

I bought a very heavy set of doors from a church that were at the entrance to the baptistery for an unbelievable 20 dollars each. I'm going to put them at the entrance of my new dining room. This video is will be invaluable. Thanks guys. Your videos are always fantastic.

I love the shutouts and support between builder channels. ✊🏾

Great video guys! I came into it not knowing how to frame in a door and left with tons of knowledge that I feel comfortable doing my next project - enclosing the water heater in my garage!

Thank you for what you do. I love to learn new skills. In these modern times the highest compliment that I can give someone, from my perspective, is to call them a CRAFTSMAN you gentlemen are truly craftsman. Thank you for taking the time and effort to make the videos that you do!!!

Thank you very much. I was headed out to my project room to start installing a salvage door that I bought. At the last second, I grabbed your video. Glad I did. You've saved me a ton of work, several cuss words, and quite possibly my marriage! Hah! Thanks again.

I found stud pack when I was looking for ideas on how to make a floating bed and that was the first video that I've watched of yours and it's the camaraderie you have between yourselves, the work that you do that really isn't work... it's a labor of love and how you are with your community, I am so happy I found you because I can follow right along with these videos and fix what needs to be fixed around my house instead of just looking at somebody else with a checkbook although if I was watching you guys I would be happy to throw that checkbook at you LOL 😂

I used your jig for custom door jambs and it worked great. I will use this trick for now on. Thank you for your tip and all you do.

Not saying you're wrong, but if I wasn't reusing the old hinges, I'd have planed the hinge mortises off the doors or filled them in and made the hinge locations the same on both doors. Actually, as long as the doors are painted, you only have to change one door to match the other. I replaced a cheap hollow core door with a solid wood door. The original had two hinges and the replacement needed three. The trick you showed about transferring the hinge locations would have been useful. I measured carefully and got it right, then added the middle hinge.

Fantastic video. Thank you for explaining how you gathered all your measurements before you made your cuts. I really appreciate it.

Bonus points for mentioning Jamie Perkins! Just this morning I watched one of their videos, so when you said that the door jamb material was 4 9/16 wide, I remembered them explaining how it adds up to that number.

Big thumbs up 👍! I've looked for a video explaining this very process for a while and you explained it very well. Thanks!

You just made it possible for me to do it alllll by myself!!!! I cant wait!! Got 7 full oak with antique glass doors to install in the bank I am converting into a house!

Just a couple tips, instead of laying on your back and measuring with your level for the different heights at the bottom of your jam just level out while you're standing up across the door opening anywhere and just measure the difference from one side to the other would do the same thing, And to help you out just use your hinge on your router plate to see the thickness for your Bit depth, love watching you guys, you do really good work.

This was great. I have multiple vintage and antique doors I hope to use in my remodeled home. Now I have a shot at getting it right.

Thanks stud pack your the go to for folks who have no experience doing this stuff I greatly appreciate your contribution to my acumen of building knowledge! I certainly won't have trouble putting up any doors in the future with this awesome walkthrough and great tips!

I appreciate this video more than you can imagine! I will subscribe!.Made my first door casing and hung a door w/o a mistake for my over budget reno b/cof this video and comments. I used an old pantry door (24 x 79 1/2) for a closet door. Thank you.

MAN I'M SO PROUD OF YOU AND YOUR BOY.....YOU ARE A MAN A GREAT WEALTH....

For stripped-out screw holes, I use wood glue and toothpicks or bamboo skewers, depending on the size of the holes. I have also done a few hinge mortices using chisel and hammer alone, this before was I got a router and hinge mortice guide.

Thank You for the content. Just hung my own Oak French Doors with your excellent and detailed directions. Appreciate You and what you do!

I like that you used those salvage doors on your project. I on the other hand would use a more period hinge than that modern hinge. I in my time and still do when the customer or contractor wants an older door. Use period hinges and the old mortice locks. In my basement right now. I probably have 30 mortice locks. Because I never know when someone will ask me if I have one. I have quite a reputation on installing doors. When I first started out. We use in mortice the hinges by hand. Cut the door knob with a bit and brace. Evrrything by hand. Not anymore. I have a door hanging jig. Just finished a door installation project. Doing a total of 24 doors and new Jamba. But I enjoy your video. Especially seeing your sons working along side of you. Keep up the good work.

Thanks for a great video, I got to make a door jamb for some old French Doors, now I know exactly how to do it. Cheers guys!

You did a GREAT job of creating this Jamb and instructing this video. You helped me out immensely with the french door jamb that I had to create. Kudos to you my friend!! And thank you!

Watching you guys inspires me greatly

Nice work. I particularly liked how you mortised (chisel & router) the jambs to set the hinge plates perfectly.

well that sure is one rare guy right there! excellent work a pleasure to watch... and learn. well done.

Man, let me tell you what, this made my day! Haven't seen so much care in making something work so well in such a long time. So nice to see you guys showing everyone how its done the right way!

Very nice doors. The wooden golf tee tip alone worth the watch.

Well done gents! Audio, lighting, script and length of video are spot on. Instructions and the “why” for your technique ties it all together in a great how to. Thank you!

Great work guys. One point that I was taught by my old school carpenter Dad, always mount the three barrel leaf of the hinge on the wall and the two barrel leaf on the door. The philosophy on that is that the three barrel bears the weight better. Sometimes you have to deal with swapping the caps around for proper orientation. Of course that is when the hinge is a normal size. If you get into some of the larger hinges always put the leaf with the most barrels on the wall. Takes more time, but I know how you guys are good about details.

Exactly what I needed. Watched and saved for a later project. Thanks for this!

lmao Jamie Perkins with his hand plane! I love watching them as well !

I really enjoyed the video and the tips for transferring the hinge locations. I was waiting for you to account for the gap between the door latch sides. I like that you waited until you had it assembled on the floor to include it. I noticed that your ruff opening was pretty close to the final dimensions. With only two hinges I would have put at least two long screws into the jamb. Never can tell when a grandchild will want to take a ride on the door knob.

Man !!! That was cool. Thank you. I learned so much. I am planning to rebuild my front door jamb....THANK YOU !

Great trick for the door hinge location I will definitely be using that trick in the future thanks studdpack

Paul has all the cool tools when it comes to woodworking. 19:26 my favorite part of hanging a door. Especially if i have a new blade in the multitool.

Best video on door hinge placement I have seen. Thanks

I really appreciate you showing all the details and all of the explanations.

Man oh man, I always wondered how you were supposed to line up the mortises for the door and the jamb, and couldn't figure it out. I knew there had to be an easier way, and you showed it! Very nice job, these types of solutions are what I love about carpentry. Also, this is the first time I've ever heard of vix bits - they appear to be insanely useful for this type of activity (door handles, hinges - anywhere you are concerned that an off-center drilled hole will mess up your work).

When I first began hanging doors I would always have to unscrew and rescrew... my dad showed me that by using a paint stirer and taking a razor blade to it like you would widdle a piece of wood, you can shave off enough little match-stick size wood pieces to jam back into your screw hole and tap on them with a hammer (lightly) and then break them off... and viola! That hole can sustain another round of screws!

I love watching you guys you have definitely taken a beginner and gave him enough to become decent at home repair. any chance on getting some more restoration videos like removing paint off of those old skeleton key mortis locks?

This video came in clutch for my next project. Thank you for sharing.

Dear diary, today was an exciting day! Tuco Salamanca taught me how to build a door jamb.

Brilliant demonstration, thank you for uploading.

One of the better craftsmen & a perfect video... THANKYOU!

This was well put together and helped me so much thank you!

Helpful information provide. Will be building custom doors for an opening, so the part about figuring out the hinges helped

That jamb jig idea is bad ass. ! Thanks Stud Pak !

Great video, I was just thinking of ordering a bunch of prehungs but their spendy and on back order. This technique will take longer, but better quality and cheaper.

Like the Music too...I've done a lot of what you guys are showing but took a lot more time to do it...Great Videos!

8:27 I had a good chuckle here. The truth is often funny.

I picked up a few great tips here, thanks for the video!

Excellent work! I still love to see the finished product.

great video. Just right amount of detail and enjoyable delivery

Awesome work, great video with clear instructions!

Great video! Very informative and a huge help! Thank you guys so much!