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pocket doors

pino | Posted in Construction Techniques on March 9, 2004 04:15am

I am not necessarily looking for a detailed answer (yet) but is it possible to convert a pair of existing doors into pocket doors? I hate tye idea of having to build or buy new bevelled glass doors when the ones I have now are in great shape and original to the house, but they won’t suit our renovation as swinging french doors.

I would appreciate any thoughts.

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  1. User avater
    Sphere | Mar 09, 2004 04:20am | #1

    Sure thing, just have to do something about the lockset holes..maybe find a brass finger pull cup the ssame diameter, or know anyone who "spins aluminum" can be turned on a lathe and pressure rolled to shape.

    View Image

    Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

    Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

  2. rez | Mar 09, 2004 04:23am | #2

    I've seen kits advertised or you could see the guts of one and craft it yourself.

    Or try Ebay for an older roller system.

     

  3. blues_hound | Mar 09, 2004 04:27am | #3

    They make a pocket door handle for lockset style holes.  you might have to search around a bit ti find them put them in an entire job last winter. as for a pocket door you should be able to get a kit at your lumber yard that will come with everything else that you need to make pocket doors.. good luck

    Blues

    man found sitting on toilet is said to be high on pot!
  4. WayneL5 | Mar 09, 2004 04:28am | #4

    Yes.  One of the largest makers of pocket door hardware is Johnson.  They sell the complete hardware set without the doors and latches.

  5. PaulParadis | Mar 09, 2004 05:31am | #5

    Pino,

    Hopefully you are working with a 2 x6 wall, 2 x4 walls are pretty flimsy when put a pocket door in it.  With a 2x6 wall you can use the heavier duty tracks/ball bearing rollers, they operate nicer and will take more abuse.

    We become by effort primarily what we end up becoming

     - Zig Ziglar

    1. pino | Mar 09, 2004 06:30am | #6

      Thank you all for your input.

      As for my walls, they are 2x4 but can be completely redone to whatever I need. Its a non-load bearing wall and everything in this one room goes.

      thanks again.

      1. User avater
        gdcarpenter | Mar 09, 2004 06:48am | #7

        The latest issue or JLC shows pocket door hardware designed to go into a standard lockset bore.   Mfg. is listed as L.E.Johnson, http://www.johnsonhardware.com., 2 1/8 hole with 2 3/8 backset, would allow you to reuse your old doors with new pocket door hardware.  Called the "No-Cut Pocket Lock".  Seconds on building a 2x6 wall and getting solid hardware, did it in Little Rock and was glad I did.  Touches my heart when someone is hesitant to part with something useful and would rather find a way to reuse it.Let's not confuse the issue with facts!

      2. User avater
        CapnMac | Mar 09, 2004 06:59am | #8

        Its a non-load bearing wall and everything in this one room goes.

        I'll presume that you mean "everything goes" as in bare to studs.  That would make it relatively easy to change the wall to a new depth.  Just build a 2" partition wall in front of the existing wall.  That wall will be the "new" side of the wall for trhe pocket doors.  The other side will want some fiddley work, but not too bad overall.

        The Johnson hardware looks good, but I haven't used any (yet).  The leaded glass doors sound like they are right pretty, and a pretty door as a pocket door is an unexpected treasure.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

        1. pino | Mar 09, 2004 05:29pm | #9

          Actually the studs may go as well. This room was an addition put on in 1922 and served as a home office at the time. We are giong to convert it into a kitchen. The wall in question actually lays over another 2x4 wall from ythe original 1916 build.

          Since the entire roof comes off it is conceivable that t his wall in particular could come down and be replaced by what ever is required. I'll know more when I get the plaster and lathe and the ceiling out of the room.

          Either way, its nice to here that I canre-use this pair of bevelled glass doors as pockets. They match 3 other doors in the house and I hate the thought of having to replace them.

          We are just in the design phase right now, but i am sure I'll report back when work commences a bit later in the year.

          Thanks again for everyone's help.

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