Vertical bi-fold garage door-diy

[bluedog225]

The garage door thread got me thinking. I was planning on buying two garage doors. But the prices for aluminum, full-view are pretty crazy. If I go that direction, in the $8,000 range for the two. Commercial quality and insulated glass.



What I’d like is a set of vertical bi-fold. Made out of angle iron. With wire glass. Industrial and rough is fine….well preferred.

Not finding any plans or real detail online. Does anyone know of a good sample project? Or go with the ’that looks about right‘ method?

It’s a fair amount of weight hanging overhead but seems pretty do-able. I’ve got a concrete wall and header to attach angle iron to so frame strength will not be an issue. 9’ wide and 8’ tall.

What do you folks think?

 

[86turbodsl]

I built one for my shop. Not a trivial project, but do-able if you have the skills. Its on my thread and i have a few vids online of it working. Schwiess sells them among a couple others. Do not underestimate the header loading. Mine is tied into the trusses quite a ways back into the structure. It's survived a pretty ferocious wind while open and i will try and avoid that in future!

 

[kbs2244]

you tube is your friend

do a search on "hanger doors"

I like tithe guy that put the upper hinges outside the sideing
and up high

that gave him the full vertical measurement of the door opening
simple counter weights will be easy to work out

 

[bluedog225]

Cool. I’ll have a look. Though 115 pages may take a bit. Any hints?

 

[bluedog225]

Yes. Some good stuff on youtube. But lots of ads and not much detail. Hoping to find some actual people who have attempted or completed.

 

[TurnipTruck]

Have you already investigated BGGRNCHV’s amazing shop? Your first pic is his.
I first started following it on Pirate4x4.
He starts the doors here:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/big-little-garage-30x34-attached.277895/reply?quote=5090347

 

[bluedog225]

Great. I didn’t know he was a member. Random pic off the net. I’ll have a look.

 

[86turbodsl]

I looked back through my thread, seems all the build photos were lost in the photobucket debacle.
I probably have them on the server somewhere.
I built in 2 sections on the shop floor, and hoisted them up with the tractor front loader.
Bought a bunch of steel hinges online, and welded everything in place. Make sure your door frame is straight.
My door binds a little bit as it gets really far open. I have to grind a corner a little bit to fix it.
I used a worm gearbox and 3/4 hp motor to open the door using a jackshaft.

 

[bluedog225]

I’ve got this big 10” concrete wall and header to attach to. Makes it easier in my mind. I was thinking two equal sized panels out of 2”x2”X.25. With several opposing welded bullet hinges and heavy c-channel for tracks. Put springs on it maybe. Winch it up with synthetic cable. Hook and chain when raised for safety.