Garage rails + Me = Stupid question

[dubber]

Is it easy, smart or stupid to cut/trim a garage rail? In my garage the rails extend an extra foot more then needed on each side of my garage door. I've measured the maximum the door lifts on the tracks and it gives me lots of leeway to cut. Here's a pic for reference. Obviously with a super small garage i'm always looking for efficiencies and questioning everything

Top left of this pic

Top right of this pic

 

[scarpozzi]

I'm guessing you have a 7' high door. 8' in another standard height....so it'd make sense that the company may just manufacture 1 rail length and use it with all their door systems.

It won't hurt anything to cut it, but be aware that if you damage the smooth end where the panels slide into the track, it may make replacing the door or servicing the panels in the future difficult or impossible.

 

[NUTTSGT]

If it were mine, I'd probably cut it. Maybe the easiest thing to do is fire off a quick email to the door manufacturer.

 

[dubber]

Any suggestions on what i should/could use to cut them?

 

[nova65ss]

Yeah you have low headroom tracks and most manufacturers use the same size for 7 and 8 high doors so you should be good to cut them off. A sawzall will make quick work of them.

 

[Ironcrow]

Band saw like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005OBDR/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[KULIWOBBY]

A sawsall will work just fine. Don't see anything wrong with cutting them shorter. Just deburr the end when your done. The end might need a touch up of paint being the exposed end could rust.

 

[dubber]

Hahaha, gotta admit i had to Google what a sawzall was. I've only heard those referred to as a Reciprocating saw. I'm actually borrowing one of those from my father in law so that is perfect!

 

[JakeKohl]

I prefer to use a cutoff wheel in a side angle grinder for this stuff - it doesn't shake everything so badly while cutting...that is, if you can live with the sparks.

 

[CNGsaves]

I prefer to use a cutoff wheel in a side angle grinder for this stuff - it doesn't shake everything so badly while cutting...that is, if you can live with the sparks.

+1 to use cutoff wheel . . . quick, easy and clean. If not, then plain old hacksaw by hand would be better than sawzall which is overkill.

 

[pattenp]

If you don't have any of the fancy power type saws, a good old hand hack saw will work.

 

[James E]

I'll chime in late just to verify what has been said. The rails come in pre-measured lengths so just be sure that you have enough rail for the open door and cut away.

Reciprocating saw won't shake the rails too much if you use a sharp blade and hold the saw's shoe firmly against the rail while you cut.

Definitely de-burr the ends or you'll cut the **** out of yourself some time in the future--possibly your head if you're up on a ladder.

 

[dubber]

I'll chime in late just to verify what has been said. The rails come in pre-measured lengths so just be sure that you have enough rail for the open door and cut away.

Reciprocating saw won't shake the rails too much if you use a sharp blade and hold the saw's shoe firmly against the rail while you cut.

Definitely de-burr the ends or you'll cut the **** out of yourself some time in the future--possibly your head if you're up on a ladder.

Does de-burr basically mean sand it down?

 

[bczygan]

Does de-burr basically mean sand it down?

De burr is to round over the sharp edges and remove the burrs. Typically with a file.

 

[dubber]

Thanks, man this site has taught me a bunch

 

[rharman]

Does de-burr basically mean sand it down?

Yes. You want a smooth edge. Use a file and/or some emery cloth.

I just rounded over part of the vertical section of one of my rails. Right where the door opener switch is. Stuck myself a couple of times recently while reaching for the switch (after 20 years of using it? DOH!). Man, that sharp edge sliced my finger like a scalpel. Now, it's smooth and safe.

 

[kenfath]

Dubber -- Just curious, why do you want them cut off? My door has a similar arrangement and there are times 'I think' they are just in the way. Then there are the times that 'I think' they would be a perfect place to mount a high intensity light. They are helpful as a place to hang the work light from, or to support boards which I'm painting.

 

[Rockuf8]

Personally I would use a hacksaw, it will take the longest, but is the safest of the three methods mentioned.

No sparks, no heat (from cut off wheel) no shaking (from the sawzall), and it will give you the cleanest cut edge in my opinion with very little need to file down the sharp edges.

 

[dubber]

Yes. You want a smooth edge. Use a file and/or some emery cloth.

I just rounded over part of the vertical section of one of my rails. Right where the door opener switch is. Stuck myself a couple of times recently while reaching for the switch (after 20 years of using it? DOH!). Man, that sharp edge sliced my finger like a scalpel. Now, it's smooth and safe.

Yea i definitely want to avoid something so sharp.

Dubber -- Just curious, why do you want them cut off? My door has a similar arrangement and there are times 'I think' they are just in the way. Then there are the times that 'I think' they would be a perfect place to mount a high intensity light. They are helpful as a place to hang the work light from, or to support boards which I'm painting.

Well i'm toying with ideas for the the upper walls on both sides but primarily where i have the grey storage sacks.

Personally I would use a hacksaw, it will take the longest, but is the safest of the three methods mentioned.

No sparks, no heat (from cut off wheel) no shaking (from the sawall), and it will give you the cleanest cut edge in my opinion with very little need to file down the sharp edges.

Thanks, yea i think this is the route i'll end up going, probably the safest for me lol..

 

[Rockuf8]

Thanks, yea i think this is the route i'll end up going, probably the safest for me lol..

Just take your time use nice easy long strokes and cut it nice and straight please.

The guys who installed my white angle iron used a cut off wheel, didn't de bur the edges and they're not cut straight either and I'm dying to get up there and file they perfectly straight, drives me nuts. Yep, the OCD is kicking in once yet again.

 

[c7fx]

whats with the double rails?

 

[dubber]

whats with the double rails?

Good question, to which i would also like to know the answer. They were put in by the builder when we bought.

 

[Rockuf8]

He had an extra set and didn't feel like carrying them back.

 

[dubber]

He had an extra set and didn't feel like carrying them back.

HAHAHAHA, finally, i now know.

 

[nova65ss]

The track is double because of the low ceiling clearance in the garage. It is called double low headroom track. The top roller runs in the top track to bring the door straight back when it opens rather than up and back like normal tracks.

No need to make it complicated cutting them, a sawzall is what we use daily it will not vibrate and shake as they are bolted to the ceiling.

Nice garage btw!

 

[Rockuf8]

The track is double because of the low ceiling clearance in the garage. It is called double low headroom track. The top roller runs in the top track to bring the door straight back when it opens rather than up and back like normal tracks.

No need to make it complicated cutting them, a sawzall is what we use daily it will not vibrate and shake as they are bolted to the ceiling.

Nice garage btw!

It'll be harder to cut them nice and straight with a reciprocating saw (sawzall) IMO, especially if the OP has never used one before, they have a tendency to bounce around pretty good.

 

[AndyL]

Ok, quick input... Yes you can cut them down... Methodology pretty completely discussed.

But - Do leave 3-4" of 'excess' and it would be advisable to throw in a siamese plate at the end (You'll see them along the length of the track, connects the two track pieces together) Easiest method would be to use a piece of punched angle wrapping the back of the cut (also acting as a positive stop for the rollers). Just works to maintain the strength of the overall system, and allows for a little space if one day the opener fails and you 'throw' the door open - so it doesn't cost you a set of top fixtures.

 

[dubber]

Realized i didn't close off this thread. So i took the hack saw suggestion and went at it slow as recommended. I'm really happy with the results. Here's a few pics that i had posted in my garage thread.

Here's a quick cell pic before.

After

And now the other side

Before:

After

Its much better on the storage bag side as its easier to access things in there.

Thanks everyone for your input.

 

[69bigblok]

Great job Dubber! I was actually thinking the same thing the other day and glad you posted.

 

[dubber]

Thanks dude, yes just another little project that had been on my mind. Well worth it for me.