Nars
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  The Mongolian word for Door Frame is Nars.  The Nars is an integral part of the Ger frame and also holds the door.  The Nars should be of sturdy construction since the Khana are attached to it, as well as the door.  The Mongolian word for Door is Khaalga.  It should also be constructed of study materials as it serves as security for the interior contents of the Ger.  The Nars for this project is constructed using 2"x3" building studs which are mitered at the corners and pegged with 1/2" oak dowels.  There is also two (2) wings that are attached to the sides of the Nars, that are not shown in the above picture, but are installed to hide where the Khana and tension cords attach.  I will also show a variant using 3" "L" Brackets in the corners instead of the Dowels.  In addition to the Nars, I will provide construction plans for a simple board and batten door that uses simple door hardware that can be bought at any Lowes or Home Depot.  
     
  Nars Construction  
  Tools Needed
Miter Saw, or a Circular Saw will do in a pinch
Hand Saw
Hammer
Drill
1/2" Spade Drill Bit
1/4" Drill Bit
Wood Chisel, 1/2" minimum

For alternate Nars construction
Phillips Screwdriver, or Power Driver with Phillips Tip
Bench Vise
  
  Materials Needed
Three (3):  2"x3"x8' Building Studs
One (1):  1/2"x3' Oak Dowel
Water Proof Wood Glue, such as Titebond 3 or Gorilla Glue
Ten (10):  1/4" Wooden Dowel Pins
Two (2):  1"x4"x6' Poplar Boards
Paint color of your choice
Sealer of your choice
Four (4):  1" Eye Lags
Six (6):  1/4-20x2 1/2" Carriage Bolts
Six (6):  1/4" Fender Washers
Six (6):  1/4-20 Wing Nuts

For alternate Nars construction
Eight (8):  3" "L" Brackets
Six (6):  3" "T" Brackets
  
     
  Construction Method  
 
  1. Take two (2) of the 2"x3"x8' building studs and cut them to 64", each.  These will be the upright parts of the Nars.  Now, take the third 2"x3"x8' building stud and cut two (2) pieces from it, 36" long.  These will be the upper and lower parts of the Nars.
  2. Next, miter the ends of all the pieces, 45° on the flat side.  The Nars will be thick from inside to outside.
  3. Now, drill two (2) 1/2" holes in each corner, diagonally through the corner for 1/2" oak dowels to go through.
  4. Insert two (2) 1/2" dowels, approx. 6" long per dowel, into each hole by applying glue and pounding each dowel into each hole.  Glue should also be applied to the entire corner joint.  Set aside to dry.
  5. Once glue is dry, trim the dowels flush with the Nars.
  6. Now figure out which short side will be the top, and mark it with a pencil.  I use a standard sharpie and mark the inside top rail "TOP" so when it comes to setting up the Ger, I do not have to guess which end is UP.
  7. Now the fun part.  Three (3) cutouts need to be cut along the length of the long sides, along the inside edge of the Nars.
  8. Measure down    " from the top,     " from the top, and      " from the top.  These are the centers for the cutouts.  Do for both sides of the Nars.
  9. Now measure 3" out from each mark, for all three (3) marks, so that each cutout will be 6" long.
  10. Now mark a line half way down the frame, so that each cutout takes out half the frame.
  11. Cutout each cutout using a saw and chisels.
  12. Drill a 1/4" hole in the center of each cutout.  These holes will hold 1/4-20x2 1/2" carriage bolts.
  13.  Now cut the 1"x4"x6' poplar boards to 64" long.
  14. Drill five (5) 1/4" holes along the length of one long edge.  The depth of each hole should be half the length of a 1/4" dowel pin.
  15. Next, either measure out the same measurements, as the holes for the 1/4" dowel pins, or use centering pins to mark where the holes need to go so that the poplar boards sit flush with the outside edge of the Nars.  The poplar boards should look like wings coming from the outside edge of the Nars.
  16. Glue up the "wings" and set aside to dry.
  17. Sand, paint, and seal the Nars.
  18. Once the Nars is dry, it is time to attach the eye lags.  These will be the attachment points for all the cords that help to hold the Ger together.
  19. Screw in one (1) 1" eye lag within 3" of the top of the Nars, along the long side.  Screw in one (1) 1" eye lag centerline of the long side.
  20. Install the six(6) 1/4-20x2 1/2" carriage bolts into the holes that were drilled earlier.  Some hammering may be needed to get them to seat properly.
  21. Temporarily install the 1/4" fender washers and 1/4-20 wing nuts.
  22. Set aside the Nars.
  
     
  Alternate Construction Method  
 
  1. After cutting all pieces to size, use the eight (8) 3" L brackets to hold the Nars together.
  2. Instead of using dowel pins for the side wings, use the 3" T brackets to attach the wings to the side of the Nars.  Bending the perpendicular leg is necessary for the bracket to work properly.
  
     
  Khaalga Construction  
  Materials Needed
Eleven (11): 1"x4"x6' Pine Boards
One (1): 1"x3"x6' Pine Board
Forty-four (44): 1 1/4" Drywall Screws
Two (2): Black Door Hinges
One (1): Screen Door Handle
One (1): Eye/Hook Latch
Paint of your choice
Sealer of your choice
Tools Needed
Power Miter Saw, Circular Saw will work
Power Drill with Phillips Screw Bit
Hand Plane, Power Plane will work
Framing Square
Large Flat Head Screwdriver
  
  Construction Method  
 
  1. Start by cutting the 1"x3"x6' pine board into two (2) pieces 34" each.
  2. Cut all eleven (11) 1"x4"x6' pine boards to 64" each.
  3. The pieces will be very snug in the Nars.  That is ok for now.  The whole door can be planed down a fraction of an inch during fitting.
  4. Lay out all eleven (11) 1"x4" boards on a flat and even surface, such as a garage floor.
  5. Measure down from the top and bottom of each board, 12".  This will be where the 1"x3" pieces will be attached.
  6. Align the 1"x3" across the 1"x4" boards, at the previous marks, and adjust them so they are halfway into the end 1"x4" boards.
  7. Now, carefully screw in the first 1 1/4" drywall screw.
  8. Using the framing square, adjust the 1"x3" cross piece so that it is square with the first 1"x4" board and screw in another 1 1/4" drywall screw.  Take time to do this step as it will set up the rest of the boards when installing the rest of the drywall screws.
  9. Use two (2) drywall screws per board.
  10. Now do the same thing for the other end.
  11. Fit the dorr to the Nars, adjusting the fit by planing down the edges as needed until the door fits.  The door should just fall through the Nars if it is done right.
  12. Paint and seal the door.
  13. Set aside to dry.
  14. Once dry, replace the door inside the Nars.  I usually stand everything up like I'm installing it in a house.
  15. Using a large flat head screwdriver, adjust the height of the door within the Nars, so the bottom of the door does not rub against the bottom cross piece of the Nars.
  16. Install the two (2) hinges, the handle, and the eye/hook latch.
  17. Set the entire Nars/Khaalga aside. 
 
     
References: http://www.mongolinternet.com/GenghisKhan.htm
                      http://www.alibaba.com/product-free/109807118/Ger_Mongolian_yurt_.html
                      The Complete Yurt Handbook. Paul King. Eco-Logic, Bath. 2001
                      Mongolian Cloud Houses: How To Make a Yurt and Live Comfortably. Dan Frank Kuehn. Shelter Pulications, California. 2006