Door Hanging Advice

[jackw]

Hello,

I'm studying Engineering in my final year at Bournemouth University. I am re-designing the door lifter. I am hoping to design a door lifter that supports the door when lifted and holds it at the required height without you having to apply constant pressure to the lifter. The idea is to allow the user the use of both his hands and to carry out fixing and marking the hinges without a second person. The product will be aimed at light to very heavy doors and to be used by apprentices, DIYers and skilled carpenters fitting heavy doors.

I was hoping to gain any points or needs that you feel would benefit you whilst using the product, even if they are very simple and obvious i would really appreciate your feedback. For Example: Lifting the door at set increments, or allowing the door to be moved in and out of the frame whilst on the lifter.

Thank you very much for any information you can give,

Jack

[big-all]

heeelllooo jackw and welcome


would suggest the main feature of a door lift is single foot operation for obvious reasons

with say a ratchet mechanism as you press down with your foot it ratchets say 0.5mm at a time

then at the toe end off the foot pedal you have a "kick plate" that allows you to push against a spring with your toes whilst retaining pressure on the peddle which will allows the ratchet mechanism to disengage and reposition
untill the height is right or you have finnished and release the lift

[carhartt kid]

Hi JackW

I use a Wunderbar by Stanley as a door lifter. Its seen over 300 fire doors in the last 18 months. Its simplicity is that its a multiple use tool. I can adjust linings or frames with it. Use it as a rough chisel to remove mortar or plaster snots (waste drips). An to aid removal or screws and nails! Plus it sits in the toolbag discreetly and isn't that heavy!



I used a purpose made cast door lifter like below for a while. To be honest, it was too bulky to fit in with all the kit in my bag and too heavy. It became a right pain and frustrating to use. Plus we all wear steel toecap boots on site, and they only just fit in the tool??? It now lives in the workshop, and I only ever use it now for hanging plasterboard.



You're tool going to have to consider how the tool fits in with the carpenters compliment of tools. How it fits into his/her toolkit, bag or box. It will have to be or become compact, be sturdy and lightweight. Be adaptable and multiuse. It also would be wise to consider, who will buy them. Occasional DIYers, jobbing builders, carpenters or professional door fitters! You're average builder or carpenter will use either whatever is to hand. Cutting a wedge of wood or some packers left over from fitting the lining/frame! Ones doing long runs of doors will use a device like a prybay, wunderbar or a purpose made door lifter. Pro fitters and the DIYer will look for the easiest way to do the job. The pro not worrying too much about cost, but about how much it will improve speed and efficiency! And the DIYer only about ease of use and cheapness

A lot of doors now are paper veneered doors. Thats a chipboard core with a 1-2mm veneer either side. The bottom edges are very very fragile and can chip really easily! A tool that promises not to damage the edge would be handy!

I know Trend do a range of door fitting aids. But to be honest they are too pricey to justify the outlay. I doubt I could recoup cost of a door lifter or a door holder! Links below:

http://www.trend-uk.com/en/UK/product/D ... type_.html

http://www.trend-uk.com/en/UK/product/D ... tand_.html

I could go on and on! But I won't coz i'm hungry and tired. Just been fitting doors again today. As well as Architraves, skirt etc. Bloomin disabled (3ft wide) fire doors too. Had to carry them up stairs on my own and not damage the fresh paintwork!! And now they don't fit!!! Argggg......Lasgane and a Peroni will help!!

Cheers and welcome to the forum!

[Pigglet]

Here's another one for you to have a look at. Looks like it's based on the conventional style shown Carharrt Kids post.
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/48774/Han ... ift-n-Lock

[jackw]

Cheers guys, appreciate all the information. Exactly what I was hoping for some great points that i can look into. Ive experienced the damage to the bottom of the door so that will be a definate improvement. If anything else comes to mind let me know!

Thanks

[lockie]

A foot operated airbag would be ideal.I use airbags in my line of work to spread door frames but originally they were used in europe to hold windows in place during fixing.
The air bags i use are extremely strong and can easily open up a big gap on a car door or upvc door.I used one the other day on a post office in a smiths as it only had a stud partition.The staff couldnt believe it wasnt that secure Easiest opening i've had in a long time.

if you had an airbag in between two flat panels it may work well lifting a door.No problem with weight for the pro's.