loft hatch hinging

[darkangel2000]

hi,

I've recently built a new loft hatch using and mdf sheet and hinged it at one end to allow it to drop and get to the loft ladders, however it has nothing to stop it swinging down once you've undone the locking mechanism.

Can anyone suggest what i need to support the hatch at the sides to it limits how much movement the hatch has (if i let it go when lowering it, it bashes the bathroom door frame!)

Thanks

Darren

[big-all]

usualy you would lower the door without it being connected to the frame by any fixings as they can get in the way when climbing through the hatch or indeed when you try and close it with a chain hanging down between hatch and frame

you can of course tether to the ladder if its a drop down ladder and the closest part dosnt move to much

[darkangel2000]

thanks, perhaps what i need then is some way to restrict it's maximum arc so it' doesnt't crash into things.

Not sure if i can connect the ladder as that has a pivot arm on it to stabilise it coming down.

[big-all]

what you need is a point on the back off the ladder that faces the trap door that doesnt move much
do you use a pole to drop you hatch and ladder!!!
if so you may find a short length of chain tied to the ladder just enough to lower the hatch a few inches that will alow access to the ladder then the trap door will lower as you lower the ladder

[carhartt kid]

I've a set of pistons on mine. I've an 18mm MDF door with a big slab of insulation on the back. These literally lower it down slowly after i've unlatched it. Bit like the ones on a car boot!

http://tinyurl.com/5nlrmj