While doing some work on my boat, I came across some waxy plastic called "Marine Lumber" - I've been
killing myself for months trying to find a solution to the problem with my "Vertical Doors" kit not closing properly 90% of the time, and causing nicks & scratches on my door catch area.

The simple solution I came up with works incredibly, and now my vertical doors close just like they were stock.
Even if I intentionally misalign the door (up or down) when closing it, it still closes perfectly with a "click" instead of a "clunk".
(anyone who has read the posts or you guys with vertical doors will know what I mean)

It works by mounting a set of 2 sliders on the door sill, and one on the door - the sliders correct the vertical alignment,
and close the door on a perfect horizontal axis.



The sliders are completely concealed with the door closed, and don't stand out even when the doors are open.

Required Hardware/Parts:




6" x 16" x 1/2" Polysheet Marine Lumber
(available in black or white from BoatersWorld.com or WestMarine.com)
12 count - 7/32" x 1" screws
Double sided sticky tape

Required Tools:
7/32" Drill Bit
11/64" Drill Bit
Countersink Bit
Dremel
Screwdriver


Preparation:
Cut Lumber into 3/4" strips using a table saw, or a radial arm saw (the lumber cuts just like wood)
you will need:
2 - 5-1/2" long
2 - 4-1/2" long
2 - 4" long

Round off the ends of each piece using a Dremel & vise or a drum sander.
Drill a 7/32" hole 3/4" from the end of each piece & countersink each hole. (ideally using a drill press)

Installation Instructions:
First: Adjust your vertical doors to close as perfectly as possible without the sliders.
The siders only assure the door will close in the same manner each time - if it's off, there is no adjustment.


1: The 4-1/2" slider mounts just above the crease in the sill just inside the outer edge following the slight upward angle of the crease.
- holding the slider in place, drill each of the 11/64" pilot holes, then using a screwdriver, secure the slider to the sill.



(IMPORTANT: Wait to mount the 4" top slider until AFTER the 5-1/2" slider is mounted on the door.)

2: Place a small strip of double sided tape to the back side of the 5-1/2" slider.
- while resting the 5-1/2" slider on top of the already mounted 4-1/2" slider, gently close the door just enough
to line up the slider with the door, and temporarily stick it in place as close to level as possible.
- this should give you a mounting height.
- mark this height with a piece of tape, and remove the slider.
- use a small level to mount the slider to the door using 11/64" pilot holes.



(The drivers side slider should line up between the info decals - so no info will be covered up.)



3: Using a similar technique as in step 2, place sticky tape on the back of the 4" slider, and with the door nearly closed,
rest the bottom edge of the 4" slider on top of the door slider.
- Keep in mind that the top slider should be mounted at more of an angle to allow for a greater margin of error when closing the door.
(the vertical door kit alows the doors to be several inches off above the catch, but off by less than half an inch below the catch)
- mount the slider using 11/64" pilot holes.


Finally we can have great looking doors that actually close correctly.

 

Wow, very creative!!!!

This very well may change some guys ideas when considering to get lambo style doors. Or when considering to ditch them for that matter!

Now, my question is, why can't these designers of these doors figure this out, and make a nice visually aesthetic bracket( polished aluminum or whatever), that would do this very thing??

I don't get it.......

Hey, maybe you should approach some of these manufacturers with a "fix" for their issues
Well done!

 

I cant see screwing that into my door jam. I mean, its a great idea and good thinking, but looks like crap IMO.

 

What would you rather have? Brackets that dont look good while the door is open?? Or doors that have been chipped to **** because they dont align while shutting?

Me... I wouldnt have verticle doors at all. But if I did, I would choose these pieces.

Good Invention.

 

Good idea, im saving this post for when I decide to get the lambo's.

 

thats really cool. i'm sure that if it was a real eye soar to you, you could always paint the faces of those. nice work though!

 

I would rather have a quality kit that doesn't require brackets.

 

Good luck with that.

 

you could make the two out of polished aluminum ,, and use nylon for th other,,,,still work the same

gret idea.....this stuff should be in the kits...

 

Great solution!

 

Nice solution to what I'm sure has been a very annoying problem. You really should talk to the vendors about this.

 

Nice idea. I give it for creativity and resourcefulness.

 

Great idea! Seems to work great too!

Thanks for taking the time to put together such a good post!

(moderators, can you get this to the "C5 Tech Tips" after this posts dies?)

 

Since you apperently put a lot of thought into this (thanks for sharing by the way) why don't you patent this?

 

Very cool...
... Nice R&D project there

 

and you beat me to the post.

 

Great solution to a problem that should not exist in the first place. 10 out of 10 for ingenuity and execution

I love the lambo doors but hate the fit and finish of ALL of the kits on the market.

As others have said, why can't the manufactures provide this solution (in brushed aluminium or whatever). And also, why do all the manufacturers lie about their kits fitting perfectly, requiring no cutting, easily reversible et al?

 

A nice solution and a GREAT write-up!



Barry

 

Thanks for posting. I'm not into the Lambo doors either, but this is very creative.......hurry up and patent the design.

 

If anyone wants to make these pieces for me, I'll gladly pay.

Please let me know! I have absolutely zero woodwork talent.