How to Bevel a Door

Set a portable power plane to two or three degrees. This is the most common amount for door beveling. The procedure for setting your plane varies depending on your model but is not usually challenging. Check your owner's manual for specific instructions.

Prop the door so the lock side is facing upwards with the hinge side flat against the floor. Secure the door with vises or clamps to prevent it from moving during the beveling process.

Wear safety glasses, ear protection and gloves to prevent splinter injuries. Plug in the power plane and rest the front shoe of the planer against the door without the blade touching the wood.

Turn on the planer and push the planer forward so the blade goes over the edge of the door. Run the planer from the top edge of the door down to the bottom. Use caution to not let your hand drop when it reaches the end of the door or else the blade can take an additional chunk off the wood.

Run the planer over the door edge one more time to verify the proper amount of wood was removed. It should be ready for installation if the hinges are already on.