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General Forestry => General Board => Topic started by: Glenn1 on January 16, 2016, 08:18:54 PM

Title: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: Glenn1 on January 16, 2016, 08:18:54 PM
I am adding some large doors to our barn.  I decided to use hinges instead of a top track as I believe it will be easier to open and close.  The opening is 18' wide so each door will be 9' wide by 12' tall.  I have read that door movement is calculated by multiplying the weight of the door (440 lbs) times the width in feet.  That would come out to 3960 lbs. 

I have found some extra heavy duty hinges that will work, but they are close to $200 per strap hinge. Below is their chart for calculations. 

http://www.hardwaresource.com/images/products/886002-Weight_Chart.jpg

I have found less expensive strap hinges  that will hold "140 lbs for each hinge. I am wondering if they will be sufficient to hold these massive doors?  Cost is only $18 per hinge which makes me a bit concerned. 

http://www.barndoorhinge.com/Barn-Strap-Hinge-Heavy-Duty-20.html

Your suggestions would be appreciated.
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: POSTON WIDEHEAD on January 16, 2016, 08:25:33 PM
Glenn, I have a friend who is a welder. He went to the scrap yard, bought what scrap he needed for hinges and built his own.
He did a good job and came out cheap. I wish I had pictures but I don't.
His hinges looked just like old barn hinges. He had 4 per door.
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: scouter Joe on January 16, 2016, 08:58:38 PM
Gate hinges are fairly heavy duty . They may work out quite a bit cheaper . scouter Joe
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: ayerwood on January 16, 2016, 09:21:52 PM
I have some massive doors on my shop and looked all over the internet for something heavy duty enough to work. One of my openings is 22x12 and the other is 18x16.  I ended up going with my local welding outfit to feel confident in the hinge strength.  I got 12 5'x4" for the large bay openings and 6 3'x4" strap hinges for my loft barn doors. Nothing artsy, just squared tips.  Cost me around $1300 for all the hardware and worth every penny. 
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: Magicman on January 16, 2016, 09:28:25 PM
Will your door facing/post hold that much unbalanced load?
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: Glenn1 on January 16, 2016, 09:49:04 PM
Quote from: Magicman on January 16, 2016, 09:28:25 PM
Will your door facing/post hold that much unbalanced load?


That is a very good question.  I am using 6 x 6 but I don't know how to know before trying it.  Any suggestion?
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: Kbeitz on January 16, 2016, 09:57:20 PM
For super heavy doors i go to the junkyard and buy leaf springs.
They make great hinges. Just cut the main leaf in haft.



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/39553/hing.jpg)

Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: Glenn1 on January 16, 2016, 10:07:48 PM
Quote from: Kbeitz on January 16, 2016, 09:57:20 PM
For super heavy doors i go to the junkyard and buy leaf springs.
They make great hinges. Just cut the main leaf in haft.



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/39553/hing.jpg)


  It seems that the door would be difficult to move and then spring shut.  Can  you explain how to mount them and how they work?
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: kensfarm on January 16, 2016, 10:29:59 PM
Quote from: POSTONLT40HD on January 16, 2016, 08:25:33 PM
Glenn, I have a friend who is a welder. He went to the scrap yard, bought what scrap he needed for hinges and built his own.

A welder I paid to do multi jobs..  he used 2 square pieces.. then small thick square tubing cut into 6 short.. use a solid rod that fit nicely in the square tubing.. alternate sides.. spot weld while round in.  We built a nice size hinge for the 50ft tower of my wind turbine.  I lowered the whole tower down w/ ropes connected to tractor FEL.  I had a geared setup to a 5hp pm dc motor.. that bad boy was heavy.



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31193/IMAG0097.jpg)
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: Gary_C on January 17, 2016, 01:55:12 AM
Quote from: Glenn1 on January 16, 2016, 09:49:04 PM

That is a very good question.  I am using 6 x 6 but I don't know how to know before trying it.  Any suggestion?

Yes, don't try it. A solid 6 x 6 does not have enough bending strength to resist that side load. You will need an I beam or square tubing plus having the uprights set in concrete and braced. A laminated beam with multiple layers would be better than solid wood post.

Pay particular attention to the clearances at the hinge pins. Not only will you have significant wear, but any slop in the pins will be difficult to deal with.
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: timberlinetree on January 17, 2016, 07:32:03 AM
The tobacco barns around here have heavy doors. I have a few you could have or try eBay? We will be down that way next week end. Just pm us.
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: Corley5 on January 17, 2016, 09:18:42 AM
  Swinging doors don't work well in snow country unless they swing in and then you lose a bunch of space.  Shouldn't be an issue in NC  ;D :)
  What about using more of the $18.00 ones ???  Use six instead of four ???  Maybe even eight to make up for their lighter load rating.  To help support the load what about adding a wheel for the door to roll on ???
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: Glenn1 on January 17, 2016, 02:09:13 PM
Quote from: timberlinetree on January 17, 2016, 07:32:03 AM
The tobacco barns around here have heavy doors. I have a few you could have or try eBay? We will be down that way next week end. Just pm us.

I will try to find the parts needed locally "with all the excellent suggestions" but I do appreciate the offer.   You are very welcome to come by if you have the time.
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: WV Sawmiller on January 17, 2016, 04:56:39 PM
Glenn,

   Can you add a roller at the bottom of the door to help hold up the weight on the end opposite the hinges? You can buy them at TSC and such that swivel in all directions.
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: Kbeitz on January 17, 2016, 06:20:46 PM
Quote from: Glenn1 on January 16, 2016, 10:07:48 PM
Quote from: Kbeitz on January 16, 2016, 09:57:20 PM
For super heavy doors i go to the junkyard and buy leaf springs.
They make great hinges. Just cut the main leaf in haft.



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/39553/hing.jpg)


  It seems that the door would be difficult to move and then spring shut.  Can  you explain how to mount them and how they work?

I use 3 parts (4 counting the large bolt) to make one hinge.

 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/39553/2~0.jpg)
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: gspren on January 17, 2016, 08:41:46 PM
   My barn originally had large hinged doors that I changed to sliders which I find easier, what about sliding doors don't you like?
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: Glenn1 on January 17, 2016, 08:55:01 PM
Quote from: gspren on January 17, 2016, 08:41:46 PM
   My barn originally had large hinged doors that I changed to sliders which I find easier, what about sliding doors don't you like?

Each door is 9' wide by 12' tall and weigh around 350 lbs when green.  I do not know if I will be able to push the doors.  How big are your doors and do you have any trouble moving them?
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: gspren on January 17, 2016, 09:06:21 PM
  On my one pole building I have 12' X 12' doors, each door, opening is 24' wide and no problem. Get track and quality rollers that are designed for that weight or more.
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: Glenn1 on January 18, 2016, 09:25:41 PM
Hi Howard,

I took your advice and ordered some 10" pneumatic wheels filled with foam so I shouldn't get a flat.  This should definitely take the pressure off the hinges.  Great suggestion!



Quote from: WV Sawmiller on January 17, 2016, 04:56:39 PM
Glenn,

   Can you add a roller at the bottom of the door to help hold up the weight on the end opposite the hinges? You can buy them at TSC and such that swivel in all directions.
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: Don_Papenburg on January 18, 2016, 09:30:08 PM
I have a 2400 lb door on the back of my shed that is on double Cannonball track and rollers. works just fine , takes a bit to get it started.  The door is 26'x16' with a 4x6" steel frame and 5/8" plywood sheathing.
Might want to google  Ibeamdoor they make an extruded aluminum track with aluminum roller frame that has 4 wheels supporting the door and 2wheels running horizontal to guide the roller truck inside the track . It is very smooth  Rated a 3000 lb .  I saw it at the Peoria farm show this year .  I think Borkholder building are using this track set up.
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: WV Sawmiller on January 19, 2016, 07:31:54 PM
Quote from: Glenn1 on January 18, 2016, 09:25:41 PM
Hi Howard,

I took your advice and ordered some 10" pneumatic wheels filled with foam so I shouldn't get a flat.  This should definitely take the pressure off the hinges.  Great suggestion!

   Great. Hope that works for you. I have seen people use them and if they didn't  have good level ground they'd pour a circular concrete track for the roller to run on.
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: timberlinetree on January 20, 2016, 04:49:48 AM
Thank you sir. These are what the hinges on barns around here look like. I think some of these are hand made and 100 yrs old. That tire should help,have seen them on gates before.

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/28754/20160117_165454.jpg)
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: Magicman on January 20, 2016, 08:24:49 AM
In Reply #14 Kbeitz was explaining how to straighten and make superduty hinges like that out of auto leaf springs.
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: gspren on January 20, 2016, 10:55:10 AM
   Around here I've never seen a barn door with level enough ground in front to use a wheel, and then there is snow and ice. I have seen barn doors both hinged and sliding where the bottom 12 or so inches were hinged so you could swing them up and hook to the main door to get clearance over uneven ground.
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: petefrom bearswamp on January 20, 2016, 01:17:27 PM
My pole barn doors are only 9x10 high full  1" Hemlock with battens and are on sliders from TSC.
They roll very easily and I cant believe another 2' would make that much difference.
Dont have to worry bout the wind blowing them around either.
Kbeitz, how do you make the bolt holes?
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: Don_Papenburg on January 20, 2016, 10:29:41 PM
Drill them slow or use the Bridgeport and a ballend mill tool with a slow  self feed.
cutting oil helps.
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: Kbeitz on January 21, 2016, 06:59:22 AM
Think I'm a little late with my picture. Sorry... i forgot.
It's hard to show what it really looks like. This is one made just useing two parts instead of three.



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/39553/Hinge.jpg)

Leaf spring hinge...
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: Glenn1 on January 21, 2016, 10:08:47 PM
Quote from: Kbeitz on January 21, 2016, 06:59:22 AM
Think I'm a little late with my picture. Sorry... i forgot.
It's hard to show what it really looks like. This is one made just useing two parts instead of three.



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/39553/Hinge.jpg)



I appreciate your effort, thanks!

Leaf spring hinge...
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: Glenn1 on February 06, 2016, 07:52:40 PM
Today, we put together 22 hinges.  The steel is 3/8" by 3" wide.  We inserted  a 5/8" steel pin into a 1" tube with a 3/16" wall.  These hinges in conjunction with a 10" fixed wheel on the bottom of the door should do the trick.



 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/37307/Hinge_1.jpg) 

 (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/37307/Hinge_2.jpg)
Title: Re: Finding Hinges for Large Barn Doors
Post by: smoothED on February 15, 2016, 04:29:58 AM
I make mine almost like that, more like a piano hinge. 1" and 1 1/4"pipe,and drill holes in the 1 1/4" for grease fittings