Shut sliding glass door

[Magnum]

I am looking to make something to shut a sliding glass door gradually.

The reason is that it connects to a "Smoking Room."

No hardware store has anything which is surprising since they make something for entry and storm doors.

So far I have tried:

1. Using springs
2. Using a pulley with a weight on one end

Any ideas ?

I have also looked into ionizers, they are supposed to work but I think they produce ozone which isn't healthy either
plus they are very expensive. :-)

[FORTRANS]

Hi,

   Maybe you could adapt a chain drive garage door opener?

Steve

[dedndave]

maybe a stepping or servo motor ?

you might also look at window hardware
they have "constant force" closers that have some pretty strong coil springs

[Magnum]

The idea of a motor sounds promising.

I would also need a pulley, a timer, belt or chain, and some kind of sensor.

If I do go that route, I should probably patent the thing. :-)

I can't afford to spend a lot on this at this time.

Found some pneumatic tires off a Hoveround in a dumpster.

Plan on attaching them to a heavy table on one side and use it "wheelbarrow style" for use in my garage sales.

[Tedd]

Wire, pulley, plumb-weight :bg

[dedndave]

get your mom to close it   :lol

[Magnum]

I have tried.

She has Stage 2 Alzheimers

She is a stubborn German who doesn't think smoking is dangerous. :-)

[Gunner]

Give me a day or two to talk to some suppliers... I think there is something made for that, just cant remember the name

[dedndave]

get your mom to close it

i was only kidding

but as an engineer, i always eliminate the least expensive methods first   :bg

[Gunner]

but as an engineer, i always eliminate the least expensive methods first   :bg

Only when working with your own budget :-)

[hutch--]

 :bg

Andy,

> She is a stubborn German who doesn't think smoking is dangerous. :-)

This probably means she will outlast you.

RE: The problem is easy enough to solve if you don't mind spending money. A counterweight and pulley will close the door if the friction is not too high but you need some form of damping to slow it up just as it fully closes. In other times a nifty little hydraulic damper would have been the trick but these days you don't want to have to pay for it.

[Magnum]

get your mom to close it

i was only kidding

but as an engineer, i always eliminate the least expensive methods first   :bg

I thought about substituting those fake cigarettes that put off the water vapor.

But my mother would probably try to light the things. :-)

On another topic.

I start a new job tomorrow.

I will be repairing vacumn cleaners, buffers, scrubbers, and propane powered fork lifts.

My previous experience includes repairing laboratory instruments and cars.

I look forward to learning to fix all kinds of new things.

The owner started out in his garage.
Demand is so good he has to turn away some business.

[hutch--]

 :U

Andy, best of luck with the new job, hope it goes well for you.

[dedndave]

yes, Andy - congrats and good luck with the new job   :U

[Magnum]

:bg

Andy,

> She is a stubborn German who doesn't think smoking is dangerous. :-)

This probably means she will outlast you.

RE: The problem is easy enough to solve if you don't mind spending money. A counterweight and pulley will close the door if the friction is not too high but you need some form of damping to slow it up just as it fully closes. In other times a nifty little hydraulic damper would have been the trick but these days you don't want to have to pay for it.

I tried the pulley and counterweight.

The problem is the counter weight has to be heavy to move the tempered glass door.

That makes it real hard to open.

That brought the comment, "What's this crap ?" :-)