Old Problems – New Solutions...

“Putting The Screws To Door Installation Headaches"

by Jeff Tannenbaum

As any experienced door hardware professional can attest, door installation is no simple matter.

Between changing construction standards, building codes, design specifications, tolerance variations, security issues and special field conditions, you never actually know the scope of a project until the door closes.

Given all the uncertainties, the potential for installation problems is clear. Door professionals have learned that simply adding to inventory is not enough. In order to remain competitive and support customer needs, trained personnel must be at the ready with creative and effective solutions.

With an extensive line of construction fasteners, door hardware fasteners, security fasteners and power tools, Tanner has earned the reputation as a door hardware solutions specialist.

Here are 3 prime examples of how Tanner customers used creativity to solve challenging real world problems that you may face, too...

Problem: Door installers frequently need to resize a hollow metal door to fit an existing opening. The traditional way to accomplish this task is to use a jig saw or reciprocating saw. The jig saw will require two passes, one on each side of the door; the reciprocating saws only one pass. But the resulting cut is often sloppy.

(Using either saw requires the cut to be smoothed and cleaned with abrasives.)

Solution: Consider using an M.K. Morse Metal Cutting Saw instead of a traditional jig or reciprocating saw. Tanner introduced this new type saw because it will cut
the door with one pass, and leave it smooth to the touch (needing light sanding
at most). This single operation can be accomplished in less than one minute versus 5-10 minutes the old fashioned way.

Problem: In order to attach a closer or other hardware to the door frame, installers often need to drill through hollow metal filled with concrete. When using a standard high speed drill bit, the tip breaks when it touches the concrete.

Solution: Use a carbide tip drill bit instead. Due to its geometry, a carbide drill bit allows installers to drill through the metal and into concrete.

One carbide tip bit accomplishes the task of two standard bits and will not break during normal usage.

Problem: Installing self-drilling screws with cordless tools has been problematic, because the cordless drill-drivers on the market do not have sufficient speed or torque for the screw to drill its own hole in metal and seat properly.

Solution: Many Tanner customers use Makita® cordless impact drivers, which are specifically designed to install self-drilling and other types of self-tapping screws in one fast, easy, operation. Makita® distributes their cordless impact drivers in the new 18V Lithium Ion cordless tool line as well as standard 12V and 14V products.

Although there are thousands of items available and more being added all the time,sometimes what an installer needs simply cannot be found. There is no reason to feel locked into standard products, which will deliver disappointing results. Smart suppliers will work with you and customize a solution to your needs.

Just recently, a customer contacted us from the field looking for a 12” wall anchor to install a metal door frame into a hollow block wall. No local supply house carried such an item. Tanner stocks a sleeve anchor extender that allows for a standard 5" or 6" sleeve anchor to be extended in 1-1./4" increments.

The customer used 5 extenders per anchor hole to reach his required minimum anchor length. And he was able to finish the job quickly and easily – without what he thought would be additional masonry or metal work.

Another great example of adaptability ... door hardware installed with standard self-tapping screws frequently loosens due to excess wear, tear and vibration. The hardware cannot always be reinstalled with existing or larger size replacement holes.

Consider a Jack Nut instead. Jack Nuts allow the user to insert a threaded nut into a hollow or blind application. Once the Jack Nut is installed, hardware can be reattached to the door using standard machine screws. The new installation is strong and long lasting.

Philosophically speaking, in any modern industry, problems are to be expected. That is simply a reflection of our fast-changing world. What is more important are the solutions we come up with -- not just flimsy “band-aid fixes,” but solutions of substance like those described above. They translate into significant savings in time, money and materials.