Incra Story Rod

CarpenterMatt

I posted this over at JLC & thought you blokes shouldn't miss out. Its a story rod I made for copying door hinge positions from existing door frames to new doors. "
When I saw these little story tabs from incra. I got to thinking they would make a handy hinge setout story rod when combined with some T track. I cant get door sized lenths of T track here in Oz, so I ordered a 1200mm (48 inch) & 900mm (36 inch) T track, & used a Festool guide rail joiner rod to connect the pieces together. The rod only needed minor filing to be a snug fit in the track, & I used some M6 (6mm) bolts instead of the Festool grub screws to lock the rod to the track. The T track needs to be cut up into 3 pieces so the assembled rod will fit in a standard door opening, & I made the cuts so the position of joins wont interfere with the location of the tabs for a 2,3,or 4 hinge layout. I used it recently where I had to install new solid core doors into existing openings, & it worked a treat. You wedge (or tack nail through the holes) into the opening hard up to the head & allow for the door/head clearance when you transfer it to the door. When you've adjusted the tabs for the hinge setout from the door frame, carry it over to the door, lay it on the edge & use a small quickgrip clamp to hole it there while transfering the marks. It saved me many trips in & out of the house carrying a heavy door just to get the existing hinge setouts transfered to the door. Very accurate, no measuring, cheap to make & I'm sure it would be usefull for many other situations. Pic 1 & 2 show the separate pieces & the joiner connecting the two."

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CarpenterMatt

Pic 1 is the disassembled rod where it lives in my door bench.
Extra tabs live in my door bench if I need them for a 3 or 4 hinge door.

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KMac

Very cool Matt. I have seen similar manufactured jigs that cost an arm and a leg. I usually use a story pole for new door/old jamb but it's what ever scrap I had that was long enough with pencil marks on it. I might steal your idea if you don't mind - I'll be sure to give credit if asked!

basswood

Very cool Matt.

Hey, can we see your door bench too?

Bass

Meetre

Too funny, I just got an e-mail this morning, incra story rules on sale! Maybe it's a sign?

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CarpenterMatt

Thanks Kmac, no worries & by all means use the idea. Thanks too Basswood, the door bench has been a major R&D project since I decided to specialise in door hanging & finish work. She went through many design versions thanks to Sketchup (I love that programme) & I only just finished building it. I'll see if I can get some pics sorted out soon.