One man door-hanging jig

[e-tek]

This should be in the fabricating section, but it seems few people go there, so I'm posting it here.

In addition to restorations being my hobby, I worked for years in autobody shops. While many items on cars are heavy and often best handled by two guys, more often than not, there's no one around to help when you need it. Working by myself now I have rigged up many ways to do things on my own, but none more useful - and transferrable - than a one-man door hangar.
Like many personal "inventions", I knew that if I though t of it surely someone else had too. Indeed I have now seen a couple examples of this item, but decided to make a very simple prototype of my own out of some scraps I had laying around. I also wanted to make it in as little time as possible, in order to get back to the work at hand...
In addition to making the job an easy one-man affair, it makes it way easier to get the door in just the right spot to bolt on.

 

[babzog]

That's pretty slick!

 

[Daniel Dudley]

That is slick.

 

[Wingnut65]

Sweeeeeet!

OK, how many of us just hit our head saying "Why didn't I think of that?"

Thanks e-tek.

 

[lilredex]

Good idea, but in my case it would still be a two person job as my jack "creeps" (downward). So, what I do is fit up a 20L pail and appropriate spacers (2 X 6'S) before I remove the door. Then I'm all set for the re-installation process. Your method would work well too here, with a reliable jack.

What is that white stuff in the about to be welded joint in picture #4?

 

[TheShrine]

What is that white stuff in the about to be welded joint in picture #4?

.....grinder marks?? Cleaning metal to weld??

 

[Bender78]

Nice job e-tek; that's using your melon.

How about adding some pipe insulation on the uprights to protect the paint on the door?

 

[gatchel]

Nice job e-tek; that's using your melon.

How about adding some pipe insulation on the uprights to protect the paint on the door?

I was thinking exactly that same thing... beat me to it


Nice build. I'll steal/borrow that one eventually.

 

[msturg]

thanks, I will definitely steal this idea. I did something less high tech when I first hung mine with a floor jack and 2x4's to help support the load, I just had to keep a hand on it to keep it from tipping. The 4 bars would help that out, not eliminate, but help.

Any tricks you used in the shimming process? As far as getting it just the right angle? I had a hell of a time getting mine right on my 69 bronco, in fact they still need tweaked some, but they are just for mock up right now

 

[Big Boi]

There ya go! Now thats a tool I could've used a while back...

But to be honest, I entered the thread thinking it was a jig for house doors. Thinking to myself, "Why does anyone need that?"

 

[nolatoolguy]

That looks pretty ausome. You should sell those.

 

[tcianci]

WAAAAY cool!

 

[Cardboard Man]

Very innovative. I especially like your use of 2x4s and carpeting as shims. Good way to use what you have.

 

[Tscott]

Brilliant, I will be stealing this as well. I almost never have help. It's OK though because I prefer to work alone, it seems I don't get mad when i yell at myself for doing something stupid.

Tom

 

[e-tek]

Ya - I thought I had some pipe insulation somewhere but couldn't find it. Being under repair still, I wasn't too worried about these doors - they came out unscathed.

It's OK though because I prefer to work alone, it seems I don't get mad when i yell at myself for doing something stupid.

Tom

Lol!!!!

 

[1969]

Not to rain on your parade, but I did the same thing a few times when changing hinge pins. I made mine all out of wood and worked fairly well. I can see that your design is superior, well done.

 

[scheu]

Several of the techs in the shop at work have something similar. Some built, some bought. The best ones use what looks like a small boat trailer winch to raise/lower the cradle and have an arm that holds the door at the top to keep it upright.

 

[usmc_noma]

now get some pipe insulation to help protect your painted/clearcoated doors.

 

[speed bump]

Real men pick it up with one hand and shout obscenities while putting in bolts.

 

[1984GMC]

I just bust out a nylon strap and my engine hoist.....and cuss alot.