Outward opening workshop doors - a cautionary tale

[AndyP]

I posted this over on UKW in a response to the discussion on Steve Maskery's workshop build thread so I thought I ought to share with you all here as well. But I doubt that Mike G or Tim the Reclaimer would make the same mistake either

The outward opening doors on my barn



The bolt that keeps them fixed open


View from inside the barn that shows what happens if the bolt is not properly turned and held in place in the "up" position


You will notice the bolt on the right is held in place but the one on the left has slipped down over the door jam/weather seal rendering the door unopenable from the outside.

The solution, 4 rows of shiplap are now screwed in place

You can imagine the problem when this first happened (yes it has happened more than once) when all of my more useful tools were inside the workshop which is itself inside the barn

 

[Mike G]

Nightmare! To have to break in through your wall because of an un-openable door. :shock: I'll bet it happened at the most inconvenient time possible, too.

The solution could be a spring on the bolts. You would then need positive force to drop the bolts in the open position, with a judiciously placed stop/ keep-thingy to keep them down against the force of the spring. In my workshop, they'd end up with an old bike inner tube keeping them up. Not pretty, but it'd still be doing the job 20 years later, like all temporary fixes.

 

[fred]

Hi Andy,
I don't understand how the 4 lengths of shiplap have helped. Please explain!

If it was me, I would of fitted hooks for the handles of the drop-bolts so that they can sit in the raised position without falling down. That's what we do when making and fitting garage and shed doors (our blacksmith makes a "finger" hook - basically a short length of round bar with a slight raise at one end and a thread at the other)

Also the drop bolt on the door without the handle should be able to drop down into a hole or behind a raised lip, so it can't be opened, so that the door is more secure. Without this the doors can be easily forced open. Having another drop-bolt at the top of the door would be even better.

Cheers,
fred

 

[AndyP]

The inner tube idea appeals - thanks

Two other solutions I came up are:-

1) cut a small slot in the metal door jam/weather seal. As this is west facing I concerned that rain water, which at times can blow in under the existing jam, would just pour though in the worst weather.

2) and the easiest, fit a large hook and eye type gate stay to the outside of the barn and door.

I have to add that crawling through the space made available when the shiplap is removed has the added hazard of dislodging any number of pointed garden implements that are hanging up inside the barn just waiting to fall in my head.

 

[AndyP]

Hi Andy,
I don't understand how the 4 lengths of shiplap have helped. Please explain! fred

When the door is stuck closed I unscrew the shiplap and crawl though the space to enter the barn.

If it was me, I would of fitted hooks for the handles of the drop-bolts so that they can sit in the raised position without falling down. That's what we do when making and fitting garage and shed doors (our blacksmith makes a "finger" hook - basically a short length of round bar with a slight raise at one end and a thread at the other)fred

They do have a lug and recess but when in a hurray if the bolt is not turned sufficiently enough for the lug to engage it can shake down when the door is closed.

Also the drop bolt on the door without the handle should be able to drop down into a hole or behind a raised lip, so it can't be opened, so that the door is more secure. Without this the doors can be easily forced open. Having another drop-bolt at the top of the door would be even better.
fred

There are bolts in the edge of the RH door, both top and bottom,

 

[RogerS]

You wouldn't have had that problem if you'd use PoorMan's.

 

[AndyP]

Sorry Roger is this for holding the door open or for throwing through the window in frustration when locked out

 

[chataigner]

Not even the cat could find a way in it seems !

 

[AndyP]

Not even the cat could find a way in it seems !

That would be Trex - my cooking fat

 

[Phil]

Andy, I was going to laugh, but then remembered the day I locked myself out, outside the front door, but behind the security gate and the wrong set of keys in my pocket. :lol:
Wife was out for the day, but fortunately the phone was in my pocket and I could call someone to let me out.
(actually quite embarrassing!)

Cheers
Phil

 

[9fingers]

How about moving the bolt on the first opening door to the outside. In that way you can use it to hold the door open to virtually the same angle but never lock yourself out.

Neater would to fit a cabin hook. Heaven knows what the French call 'em!!

http://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/prod ... tAodNGsAtA

hth

Bob

 

[fred]

Neater would to fit a cabin hook. Heaven knows what the French call 'em!!

Le hook de cabin?

 

[AndyP]

Bob, thats what I meant by hook and eye. Over here it would be a crochet of some sort possibly a crochet de barriere.

One day I will get around to doing something.


edited to correct name

 

[9fingers]

Rob, thats what I meant by hook and eye. Over here it would be a crochet of some sort possibly a crochet de barriere.

One day I will get around to doing something.

Looks to be exactly correct. Google images for crochet de barriere brings up the goods

I'm still called Bob but also answer to "Oi you" :lol:

I can imagine us having further name problems when we meet next month as my wife uses a nickname for me.

Bob

 

[fred]

Aka Cabine de crochet.

Btw, in Japan they're known as Kyabinfukku.
Bit rude of them.

Cheers,
fred