Sliding Door Opener

[imagineer]

I’m looking for ideas for putting a remote-control opener on the sliding door on my pole barn. The door opening is 8’ x 8’. The door is dimensional lumber with plywood siding on the outside. It’s fairly heavy but rolls ok that it doesn’t take a herculean effort to open it.

I’ve always had belt drive openers for my various garages, all with sectional roll up doors. This is the first time thinking about one for a slider. I’m thinking a chain drive opener would be a better choice. In consideration of available space around the door header, I’m hoping to be able to mount the opener sideways; any reason I can’t do that? I’d rather not spend a fortune on an opener, but the more reasonably priced options are only 1/2 horsepower. I expect I’d do better going with a stronger unit.

My reason for this project is that I foolishly agreed to buy a ’72 MG Midget from my wife’s co-worker (who wasn’t using it and was raising $$ for a house down payment). Now I have this itty-bitty 50 year old Brit living in my barn.

For those not familiar with the MG Midget, it’s beyond tiny. Getting my 6’-2” carcass in and out of this little clown car is by no mean graceful. So, if/when I choose to drive it next summer, and arrive back home, I don’t want to have to exit the car just to open the barn door.

 

[duneslider]

Might be better off looking at gate openers? Probably cost more but are made to do what you are wanting to do?

 

[Jackfre]

Someone once said, “There are no simple projects.” My gate hardware is a simple swing open so not really familiar with the horiz. openers. One of the things I am rather perversely enjoying these days is old men getting out of sports cars. The fact that you can get in and out at all indicates that you have not reached old age. I can do this because at 73 I can laugh at other old men, making sure to give them enough reason to laugh at me. A couple weeks ago I was in town and a nice Vette parked. The old timer who was so proud of his car quite literally crawled out of the car onto the sidewalk. I went over to help him up making sure to admire the car so he didn’t feel badly about accepting a hand up. I can’t imagine 74” climbing out of a Midget out in the wild, but once you pull it into the barn I would suggest that you rig up a trapeze bar to park under to help you when you get home. Also, you could sell it. How much do you want?

 

[imagineer]

Dune, I believe you nailed it...

Jac, I'm just past 57, and don't consider this one a 'mid-life crisis' mobile. Now if a Porsche 911 found it's way into my stable, then I'd don the required Members Only jacket and leather driving gloves. I promised the seller I would not flip it quickly for profit, so I'll probably have it for a year or so.

 

[FMB4]

I'd keep that MG.

 

[nadogail]

Keep the MG and get slimmer.

 

[imagineer]

Keep the MG and get slimmer.

Girth isn't the issue . . . my 36" inseam and big stupid American feet are. I got it running and took it up and down the street a few times this past weekend, It's a spirited little minx.

 

[Skooterj]

Girth isn't the issue . . . my 36" inseam and big stupid American feet are. I got it running and took it up and down the street a few times this past weekend, It's a spirited little minx.

Trade it for a MGB. I'm 6'3" and have no problem getting in and out of mine.

 

[FMB4]

You will regret selling that MG (if you do so). I apologize for veering off topic.

 

[Bert_]

I think I would work. I would probably mount it right side up and parallel to the door.

Depends on how you build the arm that links the door to the opener but you might not be able to open the door 100%. Maybe need 3-4" from all the way open

 

[imagineer]

Trade it for a MGB. I'm 6'3" and have no problem getting in and out of mine.

6 or so years ago, I did almost the same thing as now... One of my wife's other coworker's husband was getting kicked out of his storage unit and needed someone to buy his '78 MGB. Like the current car, it didn't run when I got it. It was a rusted out mess. There was almost no structure to it. I never got it running and ended up parting it out, making a tidy profit.

 

[imagineer]

I think I would work. I would probably mount it right side up and parallel to the door.

Depends on how you build the arm that links the door to the opener but you might not be able to open the door 100%. Maybe need 3-4" from all the way open

Given that the car I'm doing this for is only about 53" wide, I can live with the reduced opening.

 

[ArcReactorKC]

I don't have any good input on the door opener but I do sympathize with you on the size of an MG. My late Great-Uncle had one, even when I was a teenager and 180lbs at 6'1" it was hard enough to get in and out of the thing.

 

[Skooterj]

6 or so years ago, I did almost the same thing as now... One of my wife's other coworker's husband was getting kicked out of his storage unit and needed someone to buy his '78 MGB. Like the current car, it didn't run when I got it. It was a rusted out mess. There was almost no structure to it. I never got it running and ended up parting it out, making a tidy profit.

Don't happen to have a front right marker light left over do you?

 

[imagineer]

Don't happen to have a front right marker light left over do you?

Sorry, no. I piled all the pieces and parts in the chassis and a guy from PA bought the whole lot.

 

[dfiler2]

I used a chain drive opener and bought a second trolley has worked great for six years. The chain moves in opposite directions on each side so a trolley is hooked to each side. Will take pictures and post later.

 

[dfiler2]

Just to clarify, my door is 12' by 12' and is double and the rail is on the inside. I rebuilt the doors using 2x4 and pole barn steel so they are very light. I think it would be pretty easy to build a bracket that would allow you to open yours very nearly all the way.

 

[MatBirch]

you could use a slide gate opener, either chain drive, or rail drive. Rail drive is really nice, much quieter, but more expensive. Either system will cost you a large amount of floorspace, or a very cleverly engineered shelf/rack system to put it up on the wall. I've got an old codger hot-rod buddy who made a slide gate opener out of an old chain drive garage door opener. May be able to cobble something together and keep it high on the wall, out of the way...

 

[nadogail]

Old Codgers often come up with solutions or "improvisations".