Sliding Garage Door Opener? - LotusTalk

maxxfish · 03-22-2005, 09:42 AM

In the next few weeks I'll be moving into my new (well, built in 1910!) house. It has an incredible detatched garage that the previous owner used as a wood shop. He was nice enough to leave me all of the cabinetry, a paint booth, air hose reel (that leads to an exterior compressor house...no more noise!), and even some girlie posters!

Here's my dilema; it has two horizontal sliding doors for entry/exit. They are on tracks (and run REALLY smooth), one slides behind the other. I got a quote to install a new, overhead-style garage door, and it's going to be expensive. Also, the 100-year old original doors are beauties, and it would be a shame to replace them with ugly steel roll-ups.

Is there any way to attach an electric garage door opener to slide a door left and right? I'm assuming that if there is, it would have to be attached to one door, making it inoperable. Any info is appreciated! TIA, Max

MattG · 03-22-2005, 09:44 AM

Shouldn't be too difficult, just change your perspective. Rather than looking for garage door openers to do what you need, shop around for a setup designed for driveway gates.

ChrisB · 03-22-2005, 03:38 PM

You might be able to use a standard screw-drive garage door opener. Mounted parallel to the door, instead of perpendicular, and rotated 90 degrees on its side, it might work. I would mount the motor on angle barackets in much the same way it is in a normal garage. The other end of the screw-drive beam could be mounted to the side wall, if it is close enough, or it too could be suspended with angle brackets. This would not affect the operation of the second door. In fact, you could motorize both, but that's probably not a good idea...operating them both at the same time would make a real mess!

peck555 · 03-22-2005, 05:36 PM

how about setting it up so the door with the motor attached pushes the other door with blocks of wood,or metal angles catching each other top and bottom?

charliex · 03-22-2005, 06:54 PM

http://gatecrafters.webdirectbrands....mod=dslide#nav

03-22-2005, 09:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
maxxfish Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 314	Sliding Garage Door Opener? In the next few weeks I'll be moving into my new (well, built in 1910!) house. It has an incredible detatched garage that the previous owner used as a wood shop. He was nice enough to leave me all of the cabinetry, a paint booth, air hose reel (that leads to an exterior compressor house...no more noise!), and even some girlie posters! Here's my dilema; it has two horizontal sliding doors for entry/exit. They are on tracks (and run REALLY smooth), one slides behind the other. I got a quote to install a new, overhead-style garage door, and it's going to be expensive. Also, the 100-year old original doors are beauties, and it would be a shame to replace them with ugly steel roll-ups. Is there any way to attach an electric garage door opener to slide a door left and right? I'm assuming that if there is, it would have to be attached to one door, making it inoperable. Any info is appreciated! TIA, Max __________________ Racing Green w/yellow stripes, Hardtop, black touring, Starshield, SSR wheels w/ Yoko A048's, Quicksilver exhaust, 4tress harness bar, Schroth 6-point harnesses, dual oil coolers

03-22-2005, 09:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
MattG insert clever title here Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Living above the clouds in Colorado Posts: 7,676 Images: 11	Shouldn't be too difficult, just change your perspective. Rather than looking for garage door openers to do what you need, shop around for a setup designed for driveway gates. __________________ '05 Elise, Magnetic Blue / Biscuit / Hardtop / http://eliseinfo.com Radar detector mounting brackets for sale here

03-22-2005, 05:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
peck555 TL Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: White Plains N.Y. Posts: 2,420	how about setting it up so the door with the motor attached pushes the other door with blocks of wood,or metal angles catching each other top and bottom? __________________ Laser blue,biscuit, micro mirror, "Blue knob" ,HID lights,modded rear lights,rear badge,blue starter button, replaced speakers,perma grin, Club111 The Sith lord of the LB's loyal henchman

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03-22-2005, 03:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
ChrisB I'm Lovin' It! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 3,968 Images: 1	You might be able to use a standard screw-drive garage door opener. Mounted parallel to the door, instead of perpendicular, and rotated 90 degrees on its side, it might work. I would mount the motor on angle barackets in much the same way it is in a normal garage. The other end of the screw-drive beam could be mounted to the side wall, if it is close enough, or it too could be suspended with angle brackets. This would not affect the operation of the second door. In fact, you could motorize both, but that's probably not a good idea...operating them both at the same time would make a real mess!

03-22-2005, 06:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
charliex OSX Black hat Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Las Vegas , NV Posts: 9,935	http://gatecrafters.webdirectbrands....mod=dslide#nav

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