8' Pocket Door

[dixonpeer]

The angle track is clever. I would think it prone to collecting dirt, but I suppose a once over with the vacuum takes care of that.

Sorry, been busy.

The angle runs the entire length of the opening, including inside the pocket.

This keeps the door from wiggling back and forth when operating...which I hate. By doing this, you can open he door rather quickly and even slam it open because it has the rubber bumper on the back.

So, just like the sketch, the angle is flush with the finish floor because it's 3/4", NOT a tripping hazard at all.

I have a picture on a back up disk I'll dig up next week.

[Dutchman]

The angle track is clever. I would think it prone to collecting dirt, but I suppose a once over with the vacuum takes care of that.

That's what everybody says at first about that and my detail of keeping baseboard 1/4" off the floor.

Then they learn that they have a vacuum and everything is fine.

Again, it's a look for folks like me who like to see that stuff.

And again, it's a delicate balance of how much the door hangs over the piece of angle steel. It doesn't ride on it per say, just keeps it engaged at the bottom. When I wrote that you can really man-handle the door and slam it open, you can.

The store bought guide or other versions may actually work better, I don't know, I just like to invent stuff, lots of times I get duds though.

[Dutchman]

pocket door bottom.JPGHere's a picture of the finished product.

The owner just sent me this. While not a close up, you get the idea that it's very minimal in appearance.

As for long term maintenance, when the floors are re-finish, you can whack the steel as well, very rugged.

[mike maines]

Excellent detail Bob. I just learned about sheaves while researching hardware for a custom TV cabinet recently. I can see a departure from our usual Johnson hardware and cheesy plastic side-mount glides in the future.

[Dutchman]

Sheaves are what 'lay' people call pulleys basically. When I started tinkering with the idea a while ago I was describing it to a few commercial fisherman friends of mine.

I got my ass handed to me when they figured out what I was talking about....nomenclature is very important to them and I was NOT using it correctly.

[Gary Katz]

I don't think the bearing guide works that great at all, especially when you use them in the full-length track for following doors--they're not wheels, they're bearings---know what I mean? A little dirt or grit and they hang up, and they don't slide/glide super smooth at all. So I'd say, Bob (it is Bob, isn't it?), that your invention is superior to what Hager and Johnson and Grant offer. It's much more like the sliding door track and wheels you see on a threshold-mounted door; not something you typically see on a hanging door. Thanks for the idea.
Gary

[timraleigh]

...I just like to invent stuff, lots of times I get duds though.

LOL, FWIW, I think it's important to keep "innovating". Thanks for taking risks and posting this solution.
Tim

[Dutchman]

LOL, FWIW, I think it's important to keep "innovating". Thanks for taking risks and posting this solution.
Tim

I don't mind the duds, no major ego here. We mak4 a lot of goofy stuff in my shop that keeps everyone pretty humble. Above the door out of the shop I wrote "Thank you for leaving your ego at home, we don't need it here"

[Gary Katz]

I like the sign. Funny how egos come in all shapes and sizes--some are hard to distinguish, like an alien life form living in a host human, and take years to recognize. That's the most frustrating part. I wish they made a scanner that could detect them, like a Wood Wizard (I didn't want to be accused of posting a comment that didn't belong on the Fins. Carp. forum, that's why I mentioned the Wood Wizard).
Gary

[timraleigh]

If I leave my ego at home my wife kicks it out and it sneaks up behind me when I least expect it and screws up a perfectly good day.

Tim

[Dutchman]

Yeah, the ego thing is a tough one. To some degree, I expect everyone that I work with to have one to some extent so there's pride in what they are making.

When mistakes happen, I also expect them to own up to it and not take it personally or try to find something to blame it one, which is often the case.

For instance, we were installing a steel guardrail we welded in the shop at a residence and someone blamed the impact driver for stripping out a structural screw into the framing below. I walked away and let him deal with his 'mistake'.

So, I'll attempt to string along some step by step photo's of the process of the door, here's what we finished for it today.

As I mentioned earlier, we don't use the wimpy steel studs that come with a standard Johnson kit. The 2x6 bottom plate is continuous but the area where the door will slide in has been removed. All of the studs are 2x6 on flat so the wall has some girth. Also, the studs are all screwed together versus nails to help them stay put.

[aerieandy]

That stuff looks perfect Andy. When I have some office time I'll give them a call to figure out what I need. I have three other pocket doors on this job that I may use that on too.

Thanks for the link. Are the "brakes" more like a catch? It looks like they hold the door when open or closed. The only thing that concerns me there is how strong the hold is....these will be used by some kiddies.

It is a catch, but not overly aggressive. I'll see if I can photo one tomorrow, seems like you could even tweek them "open" a bit to make them looser.

Andy

[Hobie7]

Hafele would be our only choice. Expensive but worth it.

[mike maines]

Which product from Hafele? They have many to choose from.