How Do I Build a Wood Guillotine Door?

There are many uses for a wood guillotine door. They are widely used in animal shelters to help partition animals so cleaning can take place. Consumers living in the country use them in traps to catch wild animals that might decide to live under their house. Building one does not require advanced woodworking skills, and the only power tool needed is a drill. If the wood guillotine door is for outdoor use, build it with pressure-treated lumber and plywood. Construct those for indoor use with medium density fiberboard.

Things You'll Need

  • 3 pieces of 24-by-3 13/16-by-3/4-inch medium density fiberboard
  • Variable speed drill
  • 1/16-inch drill bit
  • Countersink bit
  • Wood glue
  • 1 piece of 25 1/2-by-3 13/16-by-3/4-inch medium density fiberboard
  • Philips head screw tip
  • Small box of 1 1/4-inch drywall screws
  • 3/4-inch drill bit
  • 4 pieces of 1-by-2-by-23 1/4-inch lumber
  • 2 pieces of 1-by-2-by-22 1/2-inch lumber
  • 4-penny finish nails
  • Hammer
  • 1 piece of 24-by-12-by-3/4-inch medium density fiberboard
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the three pieces of 24-by-3 13/16-by-3/4-inch medium density fiberboard on the worktable. Drill two pilot holes 3/8-inch from one of the 3 13/16-inch edges of two of the three pieces with the 1/16-inch drill bit. Keep them 1-inch from the long edges. Drill countersink holes in the same place as the pilot holes 3/8-inch deep.

    • 2

      Apply glue to the ends of the piece with no pilot holes and label it as the bottom of the frame. Set it between the other two on the ends with the pilot holes. Secure the three pieces with the drywall screws.

    • 3

      Put the 25 1/2-by-3 13/16-by-3/4-inch medium density fiberboard on the worktable. Make a mark at 12 3/4-inches from one end and midway between the 25 1/2-inch edges. Drill a 3/4-inch hole on that mark.

    • 4

      Drill two pilot holes 3/8-inch from the 3 13/16-inch edges with the 1/16-inch drill bit. Keep them 1-inch from the long edges. Drill countersink holes in the same place as the pilot holes 3/8-inch deep. Set the 25 1/2-inch piece on the legs of the U-shaped assembly and secure them with the drywall screws.

    • 5

      Lay all of the 1-by-2-inch lumber on the worktable and drill pilot holes down the center of the 1 1/2-inch sides with the 1/16-inch drill bit. Make the pilot holes 4-inches apart. Stand the frame built on one 24-inch leg.

    • 6

      Put some glue on one of the 1 1/2-inch sides of the 23 1/4-inch pieces. Set them on the long edges of the legs of the frame. They will only fit one place. Secure them to the legs of the frame with the finish nails. There will be a 13/16-inch gap between the two pieces. Stand the frame upright and repeat this with the 1-by-2-by-22 1/2-inch lumber.

    • 7

      Set the piece of 24-by-12-by-3/4-inch medium density fiberboard on the worktable. Mark one of the 24-inch edges at 12-inches. Come down from that mark and make another mark at 2-inches on the face of the piece. Drill a 3/4-inch hole on that mark for the rope.

    • 8

      Back the screws out of the 25 1/2-inch piece on top of the frame and set it aside. Slip the 24-by-12-by-3/4-inch medium density fiberboard into the grooves so the hole in it is at the top. Apply glue to the tops of the legs and secure the 25 1/2-inch piece back in place.