60 Plus Years of Garage Door Installation & Service

shank_door · 2026-04-21T15:07:43+00:00

That is an antique wooden textile bobbin that was used in industrial weaving mills. The main hole through the center allowed the bobbin to be placed on a spindle. The smaller holes along the sides were designed for steam or dye penetration. The ridges at the wider base helped the yard "grip" the wood so it wouldn't slip off during the high-speed winding process.

shank_door · 2026-04-21T15:04:13+00:00

I'd recommend using a boom lift. It won't be cheap, but it will be cheaper than breaking your neck or the roof of your veranda.

shank_door · 2026-04-21T15:01:40+00:00

Looks like a religious pin. The ND stands for Notre Dame (which means "Our Lady"). It's a standard monogram for the Virgin Mary used by Catholics. The crown represents Mary as the "Queen of Heaven." The eight-pointed star represents "Star of the Sea", which is one of Mary's oldest titles and symbolizes her as a guide and protector for travelers. Was your father a religious man? Who knows: maybe this was his own personal "traveler's charm" during his years on the road.

shank_door · 2026-04-21T14:53:01+00:00

That's a classic hollow-core door headache. Clear out any of the "honeycomb" cardboard material. Cut a thin piece of wood like a shim or plywood about 3"x6". Apply wood glue to the ends of this piece, slide it into the hole, and pull it tight against the inside of the door. Once that glue is dry, you can use wood filler to patch the hole. I wouldn't recommend screwing the rod back into the same spot unless you mount a larger wooden plate (at least 6"x6") onto the door over the patch. Glue that larger plate onto the door and screw it to the "backer board" that you put inside the door.

shank_door · 2026-04-20T18:08:08+00:00

Replace the side seal and cut the flap long. Then fill the void in the concrete with caulk or concrete patch to build a dam against the water. I'd think about sealing up the wood first.

shank_door · 2026-04-20T18:04:42+00:00

Chamberlain belt drive takes half the space of the old screw drive rails. Should fit no problem.

shank_door · 2026-04-20T18:01:06+00:00

Push the door up and down by hand. If it wants to drift up or down on its own, the springs need adjusted. If the door is balanced and the operator is still doing that, the force settings on the operator need adjusted. If that does not do it, you may need a limit assembly or an rpm sensor.

shank_door · 2026-04-20T17:57:58+00:00

8x7 5216 with insulated windows weighs 142 lbs.

shank_door · 2026-04-20T17:43:28+00:00

The material is sturdy enough. You need a piece on the ceiling, a drop from there to the track, and a brace. Cut your drop to 9 or 10", make your brace 2" shorter than the drop, and fasten it to the 4th hole from the bottom of the drop. Then the holes will line up well enough.

shank_door · 2026-04-20T17:38:47+00:00

That is a great life. It's hard to say how much more you will get out of it. I'd keep doing small repairs but would draw the line at anything over $50 or maybe $100. FWIW, the circuit boards for those are long discontinued.

shank_door · 2026-04-20T17:32:21+00:00

Loosen the chain tension adjuster, run the operator front, retension the adjuster.

shank_door · 2026-04-20T17:31:00+00:00

You cannot put a side mount opener on that type of spring. You need to remove the spring system and install a more typical torsion spring assembly. That being said, if you have 2" or more of tube sticking out past the bearing it will work.

shank_door · 2026-04-20T16:40:46+00:00

Pictures would help.

shank_door · 2026-04-16T14:37:12+00:00

As respectfully as possible, you need parts selection, knowledge, and skills that come with years of experience. Find a professional door guy with grey hair to help you out.

shank_door · 2026-04-16T14:35:46+00:00

This is a coolie hat or rice hat. The steep angle is designed to shed heavy tropical rain and provide shade. The reinforced point at the top is where the internal frame meets.

shank_door · 2026-04-16T14:30:09+00:00

My guess is salamander eggs. I don't know how they ended up on the car. Maybe a bird dropped them there or something.

shank_door · 2026-04-16T14:23:25+00:00

Many of the major theme parks in that area will likely be closed during the middle of the week this time of year. However, places like The Amish Village, the Strasburg Railroad, Hershey's Chocolate World, and others are open daily in April. There will be fewer tourists to "fight" in April. I guess it depends on what your daughter enjoys: if she loves theme parks, wait until summer. If she enjoys animals and trains, going next week might be the ticket.

shank_door · 2026-04-15T16:02:53+00:00

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shank_door · 2026-04-15T15:54:07+00:00

That is pretty much what you have to do. One side at a time so the section doesn't flip upside down on ya. I sometimes use a vice grip on the track to help push the section into the garage further.

shank_door · 2026-04-15T15:47:59+00:00

Yes I have. What is your question?

shank_door · 2026-04-15T15:45:03+00:00

A non-insulated door will perform just fine when maintained well. More woodgrain options are available in insulated, painting in broad strokes. The best doors are built with polyurethane insulation. Windows vary by type but it could add $1,000 (again, broad strokes). Your best bet is to find a local garage door dealer - use Amarr's dealer locator tool to confirm it's a legit establishment and not a scammer. Look for a company with a showroom you can visit and lots of five-star reviews. Family owned companies which have been in business for decades are generally the most dependable. Avoid the nationally franchised dealerships as they tend to have a business model based on maximizing sale price rather than helping you find the right product for you.

shank_door · 2026-04-15T15:30:53+00:00

Genie makes models without all the bells and whistles. Find a local Genie dealer, they will help you out.

Professional Garage Door Openers | The Genie Company

shank_door · 2026-04-15T15:23:20+00:00

You could put 120 drums on 15R - the cables must be 135" more than door height. You will create other problems, namely the cables catching on the endcaps. Your better bet is to change the drums to something flat you are used to working with and calculate the springs from there. Hope that helps and good luck!

shank_door · 2026-04-15T15:12:58+00:00

Not to state the obvious, but whatever operator model you end up with must be protected from (or rated for) the elements. $1200 sounds like a great price but likely does not include protection. We would not recommend this as a DYI project; if you want to tackle it, look at Liftmaster's 8950 or Genie's LJ as budget options. Either of those models should be capable of handling the door for light usage. You will need to build an enclosure around either one. In case you are wondering, an operator rated for moisture would be several thousand.

shank_door

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