My studio door has a rubber seal at the bottom of it that seats against
a wooden beveled threshold on the floor. I installed a hydraulic door
opener on it today as per the instructions.

The problem I have is that once the rubber gasket at the bottom of the
door hits the wooden threshold the door closer cant push it shut. Not
much force is required, but the opener I purchased just doesn't have
enough power. I tried the adjustments but that still didn't get it to
work.

The guy I spoke to at Home-Depot didn't know anything about the door
closers. I looked them up on their web site (go to home-depot.com and
do a search for "door closer" without the quotes), but it doesn't
really say anything different for the $150 than it does for the lower
priced models.

Can anybody explain to me what I should look for in one of these? The
one I bought was the little shy of $40 one. Do they get more powerful
as you get into the more expensive ones? Isn't there a power rating of
some sort?

Thanks,
Larry

wrote:
My studio door has a rubber seal at the bottom of it that seats against
a wooden beveled threshold on the floor. I installed a hydraulic door
opener on it today as per the instructions.

The problem I have is that once the rubber gasket at the bottom of the
door hits the wooden threshold the door closer cant push it shut. Not
much force is required, but the opener I purchased just doesn't have
enough power. I tried the adjustments but that still didn't get it to
work.

FWIW, you might want to either consider planing the threshold down or
trimming a piece off the door bottom.

After doing a little more research I came across a post that says in
part:

"Generally, they have two closure speeds - one for most of the travel
and a
separately adjustable final close, which allows for everything from an
unlatched door to one with a really strong latch"

Does this sound correct? If so, then how do I know which models have
this feature? Of the many I looked at I read nothing on their boxes
that sounded like this.

Thanks for the advice Lawrence! If I can't find the correct closer
then thats what I will have to do.

That's correct: Most closers have a number of valves which permit
adjusting their speeds at significant points of the swing, and some have
an overall strength adjustment. You need the detailed set-up
instructions for your particular model; contact the manufacturer, or get
someone who has experience dealing with these (eg a locksmith) to take a
look at it.

You *may* be outside the range of adjustment possible on this particular
unit, but I'd try adjusting before replacing.

wrote:
After doing a little more research I came across a post that says in
part:

"Generally, they have two closure speeds - one for most of the travel
and a
separately adjustable final close, which allows for everything from an
unlatched door to one with a really strong latch"

Does this sound correct?

The term latching, would seem to me, reference the mechanical door latch
(ie part of the locking system) rather than refering to restrictions
caused by door seals etc.

If so, then how do I know which models have
this feature? Of the many I looked at I read nothing on their boxes
that sounded like this.

As I had to take my teenage daughter to catch a 5:00am bus for her field
trip, I found myself with a little time to do some Google searching.(grin)

Here is a small description which may help you in locating specs for the
different types of door closers"

Door Closer Description

Nonhanded, for use on right and left hand swing
doors. Can be installed on
regular, top jamb, or
parallel arm. Adjustable for sizes 1 through 4
and capable of
compliance with 5 lb. interior
door and 8.5 lb. exterior door barrier-free
opening force
restrictions. ADA approved, UL
listed. Adjustable hydraulic back check. Can be
use for
retrofit of Norton 1600 Series (size
4,5,6) and Yale 50 (size 4,5 6). Aluminum
finish. For
doors up to 36".


The following URL also mentions the displayed unit, a "Light Commercial
Door Closer" is applicable for doors with tight seals".

http://builders-hardware.gillroys.co...r-s210633.html


You might also want to do a bit of Google'ing by using such search terms
as, hydraulic, faq, spec* and "door closer" at Google's advanced search
page:

http://www.google.ca/advanced_search?hl=en


Thanks for the advice Lawrence! If I can't find the correct closer
then thats what I will have to do.

And if none of the above pans out......then it's time to get out the
chainsaw and do a little trimming! grin

In article .com,
wrote:

After doing a little more research I came across a post that says in
part:

"Generally, they have two closure speeds - one for most of the travel
and a
separately adjustable final close, which allows for everything from an
unlatched door to one with a really strong latch"

Does this sound correct? If so, then how do I know which models have
this feature? Of the many I looked at I read nothing on their boxes
that sounded like this.

Thanks for the advice Lawrence! If I can't find the correct closer
then thats what I will have to do.


There should be set screw or allen screw adjustments for each speed of closure
and possibly one for resistance against opening. The closer on our front door
had 3 places for adjustment and a sticker inside the shroud detailing how to
adjust the various settings.

-Jay
--
x------- Jay Kadis ------- x---- Jay's Attic Studio ------x
x Lecturer, Audio Engineer x Dexter Records x
x CCRMA, Stanford University x http://www.offbeats.com/ x
x---------- http://ccrma.stanford.edu/~jay/ ------------x

In article .com,
wrote:

Can anybody explain to me what I should look for in one of these? The
one I bought was the little shy of $40 one. Do they get more powerful
as you get into the more expensive ones? Isn't there a power rating of
some sort?

Yes, and on the industrial ones the force is adjustable too. Stay away
from Home Depot. Try some place like Grainger Supply.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."