pocket door w/o removing existing steel jamb
Hi all
First time here. I have been remodeling my bathroom, much to many family’s chagrin, very slowly. One of the big hang ups has been how to reconcile a pocket door without removing the old steel jamb. It’s not one of the easier to remove type screw through the face into the framing and clip together. It’s welded at the corners and set into the existing slab. I’m in a 1939 apartment building. Hence, trying to cover instead of spending a day making a very loud mess. I’ve taken a multitool and grinder to it to test, and it would just be too gnarly. We’re very into baths over here so trying to give a bit of an onsen vibe. Lots of salvaged bluestone, hinoki, and concrete. I will make the door at some point, which is my skill set, but finish carpentry is not so much. I was thinking I could just case the existing jamb in more cypress or cedar. I bit of a hack move but could be done. I will attach pics so you all can see what I am dealing with. The apartment side will be extra tricky because when our apartment was converted to a 2br they put the new door trim right up against the metal jamb of the bathroom. I’ll probably just remove the trim from the bedroom and somehow tie it back in in some cohesive manner.
Really want the pocket door as it will make our 36sf bathroom feel ever so slightly larger. There is plenty of room for the pocket door framing.
I’m sharing here to see if there is anything I’m not considering, or if there is a smarter way to go about this. Thanks for looking!
Replies
Sawzall after baking chocolate chip cookies for everyone in the vicinity?
You’re sure you’ll have the pocket in the wall construction? If so, you plan on Johnson hardware for the pocket?
I take it you don’t want to use a torch…..
Haha, honestly that typically works re: the cookies.
So this will actually go on a plaster wall. I've removed the plaster and mesh lathe on the bathroom size, but plan to leave the studs in place and just build to the inside of the room. I know that sounds contradictory since I wrote about space, there is already a steam pipe in the corner so bumping this out won't be a big deal, I don't think.
Tell me why I should use a torch, lol. I do have access to a set up in the shop, but I've only used it for forging. I'm open to it, but an immediate concern is all the wooden stuff ie flooring and studs. I'll study up some.
Regarding tracks, I'll likely mill it all. I have access to very nice sliding door rollers if needed. I've modeled the bathroom with a bit of a onsen/japanese bathhouse style, so will likely end up making a shoji(ish) door.
Angle grinder + cut-off blade should do it.