I have a Werner aluminum attic ladder that is not bad except that the door will not close completly. The door is a 3/8 piece of plywood and it doesn’t seat completly all the way around the opening. The wost gap is about 1/2 inch. The unit is set flush and square in the opening, the plywood has a bow in it preventing it from seating properly.
I was considering rebuilding the door using 3/4 plywood, but that would be major surgery on this unit. I then thought there must be someone out there who makes a latch, handle or mechanism that will sit flush with the ceiling and provide a positive latching for the door. I thought a mechasim like the latches on a work truck tool box would do the job. Any ideas or suggestion on getting this door to seat properly would be appreciated.
Replies
put a latch on both sides.
Expert since 10 am.
You might want to consider building a 3/4" (by 3, say) frame around the outside edge of the door, to stiffen it.
I wonder, would a window sash latch work - or two ? ?
Greg
If the thing isn't opened very often, just screw it closed, with maybe some trim washers to neaten it up a little. (Or take the advice elsewhere and use your brad pinner.)
Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm but the harm does not interest them. --T.S. Eliot
Good idea. I though maybe a slide bolt on both sides. This in an interior hallway so I am trying to make it as unobtrusive as possible.
Experienced, but still dangerous!
I've got the same problem with the Werner. Saving it for punchlist or until I can figure out a good way to fix. Thinking of screwing an overlay of 3/4 MDF or plywood directly to the factory door.
If you got 3/8 ply with yours, you did better than we did. !/4 luan. Nice huh?
Let me help you with this one, had the same problem in an attic build out, 'cept it was only like a 1/4" gap but clients were picky, and I can't blame them.
Anyways, the solution:
Had a couple of left over pieces of red oak about 3' long, 3/4" wide and 1 1/2" tall. Ran one of these on either side of the ladder and screwed them down from the visible side of the access door at each end. Used pretty washers and voila, the access door was flush and flat.
Let's not confuse the issue with facts!
I'll try it, thanks.
Experienced, but still dangerous!