• Templates for arched panel doors make cutting accurate.three doors image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
  
  Special tools are needed to craft workable doors of many sizes, from cabinet doors to room doors. In order for doors to work properly they need to be accurately made. Having the right tools is an essential first step. You will need several items to produce professional looking doors.
  
  

Router Table and Bits

• In cope and stick joinery for the door's frame, you will need a matching set of stile and rail bits for a router. This set is precision matched to produce a perfectly fitting joint. Several styles of stile and rail bit sets are available, such as ogee, bead and round. These sets of bits are specifically designed for use on a router table.
  
  

Rail Coping Jig

• A rail coping jig helps to make a perfectly square cut and to keep the rail flat while cutting. The coping jig has a replaceable hardwood backer that eliminates tear-out as the coping bit exits the cut.
  
  

Router Bit Set-Up Jigs

• A router bit set-up jig is necessary to set the router bits at the right height. With this jig, the right alignment and height are quick and easy to do. Just lay the jig next to the bit and adjust the height until the bit fits perfectly into the jig and tighten.
  
  

Door Panel Templates

• If you are crafting a raised panel door, you will need a template, such as cathedral or arched. Each set of templates consists of matching rail and panel templates that work for a several common door widths.
  
  

Raised Panel Router Bits

• It is important for the panel to have smooth edges to fit into the panel groove in the door frame. For this you will need a raised panel router bit. There are several to choose from. A vertical bit is a popular option for smaller router tables. A horizontal bit is the best option for cathedral and arched panel styles and works best on larger routing equipment.
  
  

Space Balls

• Space balls are 1/4-inch rubber balls that are installed in the panel grooves before gluing the panels into the frame. Space balls will shrink and expand with the changes in weather, keeping doors from rattling.
  
  

Wood Glue

• A good-quality wood glue is used to glue the panel into the frame and to glue the corners of the frame during assembly.
  
  

Saws

• You will need a table saw for cutting sheets of wood for panels and boards for door frames. You will also need a miter box and hand saw for cutting perfect 90-degree corners for the door frame.