Ryobi Door Trimmer

Trimming a door can be one of those deceptively simple tasks that quickly becomes a headache if you don't have the right tools. The Ryobi Door Trimmer, Model A99DT01, promises to make this job easier by allowing you to trim doors without taking them off their hinges. I recently had the opportunity to put this tool to the test while working on a few interior doors that had become sticking problems in my home.

Design and Features

The Ryobi Door Trimmer is ingeniously simple in its design. It attaches to a standard drill, making it accessible for most DIY enthusiasts. The trimmer claims to remove up to 1/32" of material per pass and is compatible with both 1-3/4" and 1-3/8" doors. One of the most appealing features is that it allows you to trim the door without having to take it off its hinges. This is a significant time-saver, especially for those who don't have the tools or the inclination to remove and remount doors.

Setup and Initial Impressions

Setting up the trimmer was straightforward. You need to secure the trimmer’s spindle into the chuck of your drill and adjust the width guides to match your door's thickness. The initial impression was positive. The tool felt solid, and the adjustable guides seemed like they would help maintain a consistent cut.

Performance

Here’s where things got interesting. The tool did manage to trim the door, but not without some challenges. First, the trimmer's guides, while adjustable, didn't lock in place as securely as I would have liked. This caused the tool to shift slightly during use, leading to an uneven cut. I had to go over the same area multiple times to even out the plane, which somewhat defeated the purpose of a “quick fix” tool.

Another issue I encountered was the tool's tendency to disassemble itself during use. The screw holding the cutting bit in place would loosen, especially when running the drill in the required direction. This was incredibly frustrating and required frequent stops to reassemble the tool. A reverse-threaded screw could have easily remedied this problem.

Despite these issues, I found that with a bit of practice, it was possible to achieve a somewhat acceptable result. Moving the trimmer back and forth quickly and applying firm pressure helped to get a more even trim. However, the tool left the trimmed edge rough, necessitating follow-up sanding to achieve a smooth finish.

Practical Applications

The Ryobi Door Trimmer seems best suited for minor adjustments on doors that have become tight over time due to humidity or other factors. If you need to remove significant material, this tool may not be the best choice. It takes multiple passes to remove even a small amount of wood, and the cutting bit tends to dull quickly.

For renters or those dealing with less-than-perfect doors in an apartment, this tool could be a quick and dirty solution. It’s not perfect, but it can get the job done if you’re not too concerned about achieving a perfectly smooth edge. However, for homeowners looking to make more precise adjustments, a dedicated electric planer or even a good hand plane would be a better investment.

Pros and Cons

Pros:
- Easy to set up and use with a standard drill.
- Allows for door trimming without removing the door from its hinges.
- Compact and easy to store.

Cons:
- The adjustable guides do not lock securely, leading to uneven cuts.
- The tool tends to disassemble itself during use.
- Requires follow-up sanding to achieve a smooth finish.
- Not suitable for significant material removal.

Final Thoughts

The Ryobi Door Trimmer is a tool with a lot of potential, but it falls short in execution. It’s a convenient option for quick fixes on sticking doors, especially if you’re a renter or need a temporary solution. However, the issues with the tool’s durability and precision make it hard to recommend for more serious or frequent use.

If you’re looking for a tool that can help with minor door adjustments and don’t mind putting in a bit of extra effort to achieve a smooth finish, the Ryobi Door Trimmer might be worth considering. However, if you need a more reliable and precise solution, investing in a dedicated electric planer or a quality hand plane would be a better choice.

In conclusion, I would recommend the Ryobi Door Trimmer for those who need an occasional, quick fix for sticking doors and are willing to put in the extra effort to achieve a smooth finish. For more demanding tasks or frequent use, other tools would serve you better.