jhochst
Well-known member
I installed an insulated door to keep heat on main level. I will put matching metal on soon. Here is what I came up with to lift the heavy door.
Jason
Jason
New door
- Thread starter jhochst
- Start date
Jason, nice innovation. Couple of questions?
1) what's the weak leak? I would think its the eyebolt/screws to the door. How did you reinforce it?
2) do you have a safety bar of a sort?
3) did you add a second control from the upstairs so you can close it if your up there?
4) what do you think the door weights?
I am guessing the door can't be more than 100 lbs or so and likely that's a 1500 lb winch or stronger. I think I would try to add a gear to make it open faster. Something along the lines of wrapping the cable around a shaft then mounting a larger diameter wheel at the end with a separate cable wrapped around it to the door. Just my thoughts. Thanks for sharing.
1) what's the weak leak? I would think its the eyebolt/screws to the door. How did you reinforce it?
2) do you have a safety bar of a sort?
3) did you add a second control from the upstairs so you can close it if your up there?
4) what do you think the door weights?
I am guessing the door can't be more than 100 lbs or so and likely that's a 1500 lb winch or stronger. I think I would try to add a gear to make it open faster. Something along the lines of wrapping the cable around a shaft then mounting a larger diameter wheel at the end with a separate cable wrapped around it to the door. Just my thoughts. Thanks for sharing.
mayday0017
Well-known member
Interesting, seems WAY overly complicated.... We did the same thing going into our attic and simply used a pulley mounted to a rafter with a piece of small rope going to the end opposite of the hinge then up through the pulley to a paint bucket we threw some scrap metal (nuts and bolts) until we got the balance correct. You can move the "door" into any position (opened or closed) and it will stay exactly where you put it. Cost much less too....
I do not use the up stairs for much other then storage. Main objective was a good insulated door. Weight is about 125#. Using 2 good sized lags for hook on the 3000# winch I got on sale for the cost of a good hand winch. Will be installing 2 dead bolts to keep door open. Only will be closing in winter. Opening speed not issue for me. I will be running wires in wall and mounting switch later. Besides, is there really such a thing as over kill? 