Debating a shipping container based house/hangar idea, and was thinking a bifold door would be needed for a skywagon amphib

The prices seem steep for what they are


Anyone ever build one?


Thanks
93K

I did. After all said and done I’d order one from Hi- fold. The cost savings vs having the Engineering they provide is worth paying the price. If you ever need service or parts they have them available.

I built mine. It took some figuring out but it has worked flawlessly for 7 years. Less than $1500 in materials with a little scrounging. Counterweight and 12v winch with a boat winch for backup.

93K, What size are you wanting to build? I have seen used ones listed on FB, Craigslist, and other sites. Actually just saw a 10x40 listed a couple of day ago. I realize this wouldn't work for a plane on floats, but for the price, a guy could easily add to either side if needing a 12-14 or whatever size. I think they were asking $5K.

daedaluscan wrote:I built mine. It took some figuring out but it has worked flawlessly for 7 years. Less than $1500 in materials with a little scrounging. Counterweight and 12v winch with a boat winch for backup.

Nice!

You wouldn’t happen to have some photos you could share?

Built our 42'X14' bifold when we built our house in 1992; so, mostly forgotten info now. We cut all 2"X4" metal frame work; laid out on concrete tarmac, clamped and then had company mechanic bring service truck with welder and crane. He did all the welding including the hinges and then we used crane to set in place and weld hinges at top. Overbuilt everything and door is 1/2" too long so very tight closing= more or less force into place so no rubber under door= big mistake but has worked OK since and still working to date.

Would never do it again as I no longer have welder/mechanic or crane and I really like the door that isa total stand alone one piece and lifts straight up for 8-10" then follows track at top so when open there is no opening lost to door like the bifold. Neighbor ordered and installed his with insulation and I think he has about $20K in it. If you "google" hangar doors you'll find several options.

The difference between $1500-2k and 20k would leave lots of room to rent a lift/crane

NineThreeKilo wrote:The difference between $1500-2k and 20k would leave lots of room to rent a lift/crane

You just need to figure out...how valuable is your time! I have always been a do-it-yourself kind of person. From restoring cars.etc, to trying to build a house. Unfortunately I am older (over 60) and starting to realize how short the days are. I am starting to get rid of projects and hopefully enjoy life a little more. Just food for thought.

WWhunter wrote:

NineThreeKilo wrote:The difference between $1500-2k and 20k would leave lots of room to rent a lift/crane

You just need to figure out...how valuable is your time! I have always been a do-it-yourself kind of person. From restoring cars.etc, to trying to build a house. Unfortunately I am older (over 60) and starting to realize how short the days are. I am starting to get rid of projects and hopefully enjoy life a little more. Just food for thought.

Im still young, wish +/- a week was worth $18,000.00, but my time is not worth that much yet

Also building something with friends and family is more enjoyable to me than sitting around or golf or something, guess I’m a glutton for punishment

NineThreeKilo wrote:Anyone ever make their own bifold door?
93K

I did and it was a lot of fun and work.

Door was 12x40, and now 16x40 for amphibs.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/mihPJbjLbt6LHYDr7


Let me know if I can help.

OliBuilt wrote:

NineThreeKilo wrote:Anyone ever make their own bifold door?
93K

I did and it was a lot of fun and work.

Door was 12x40, and now 16x40 for amphibs.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/mihPJbjLbt6LHYDr7


Let me know if I can help.

Thanks!

What motor did you use?

I did not build my own door, but the guy who built my hangar did. The door is fine, but the lift system was so under-engineered that it was dangerous. I put up with it for too long, but it got to the point that the lift wires kept birdnesting, plus the drive shaft became deformed.

I did what I should have done long before, which is replace the lift system with one from Schweiss. Maybe other companies would have sold me just the lift system, but I’m not sure. In any case, the kit was complete, the local installer they recommended was excellent, and I'm very happy with the results. I no longer live in fear that the door will crash down, go crooked and jam, or any of that.

rmac wrote:I did not build my own door, but the guy who built my hangar did. The door is fine, but the lift system was so under-engineered that it was dangerous. I put up with it for too long, but it got to the point that the lift wires kept birdnesting, plus the drive shaft became deformed.

I did what I should have done long before, which is replace the lift system with one from Schweiss. Maybe other companies would have sold me just the lift system, but I’m not sure. In any case, the kit was complete, the local installer they recommended was excellent, and I'm very happy with the results. I no longer live in fear that the door will crash down, go crooked and jam, or any of that.

Living in fear?


So is there no middle ground between building your own and paying over $20,000.00 for a simple door, some shafts, overblown tow straps and an electric motor and switch?

I’ve been around all sorts of hanger doors flying for a living, and the bifolds I just don’t see the money when I look at them, materials, build quality, yeah it’s good and it works, but it doesn’t match the price tag IMHO

My mom was recently telling me about a guy she knew whose adult son was killed by a hangar door that let go. It’s not unheard of.

Zzz wrote:My mom was recently telling me about a guy she knew whose adult son was killed by a hangar door that let go. It’s not unheard of.

Any idea what type of door?

NineThreeKilo wrote:

Zzz wrote:My mom was recently telling me about a guy she knew whose adult son was killed by a hangar door that let go. It’s not unheard of.

Any idea what type of door?

A heavy one and the point is if its not done right the risk is immense.

Shopped doors heavily a couple years ago. Bifolds have fallen out of favor somewhat to single panel hydraulic lift. They make a much bigger shaded and rain protected opening. It seems like a great deal of force, and is is but most now are self-supporting rather than most bifolds which hang on the structure. Anyone with welding experience and standard hydraulic parts should be able to take care of problems. Probably harder to DIY. A local DIY bifold was pretty flimsy and it is a massive square footage to be beaten by the wind. The main advantage to bifold in comparison is they swing out less with the arc if it s a tight ramp area. Bifolds also significantly limit the height which rules out amphibs. I ultimately went with Stack-door as it preserved the entire width of the 39 foot limited opening and the weight rests on the ground of my ancient hangar. Would have gone with Powerlift if I had a little more width to spare.

93K, I kind of suggested a middle ground, which is to build a door and buy a lift system. At my airport, some doors similar to my old system snapped cables. They all came down crooked, which stopped them from slamming down, but there was potential for worse. I’ve heard on good authority that a young guy was killed a few miles from here by a failed door.

I don’t think anyone is saying not to do it. Just make sure it’s engineered properly.

NineThreeKilo wrote:What motor did you use?

A 60:1 worm gear reducer coupled with a 220v 1.5hp electric motor with automatic brake. Control and limit switch are from a commercial garage door opener. I've uploaded more pics in the link above.

Mine rolls up with 3" cargo straps, 4 of them.

But no kidding with those big doors.

rmac wrote:93K, I kind of suggested a middle ground, which is to build a door and buy a lift system. At my airport, some doors similar to my old system snapped cables. They all came down crooked, which stopped them from slamming down, but there was potential for worse. I’ve heard on good authority that a young guy was killed a few miles from here by a failed door.

I don’t think anyone is saying not to do it. Just make sure it’s engineered properly.

I was thinking about this too

One thing for sure is I’m not using cables, ether cargo straps or dyneema