I have a two story shop that has a 48 x 48 access hole in the ceiling of the first floor to lift things with a pulley system to the second floor.
I have steel angle iron bolted to two ends 6 inches down so a 2x 6 frame that creates a box sits on the angle to give support when not in uses. This frame has a plywood top that fits down even with the floor.
Currently I manually have to lift this access frame out but I’d like to put hinges on it. All that to ask this what size 2×6 box will fit in the hole and still have the hinges work ?
hope that makes sense I have a Tennessee education. GO VOLS
Replies
Use the pulley system to lift the hatch off the cover.
Put hinges on your current hatch and see if you need more clearance. The hypotenuse of a 6" x 48" triangle is only 48-3/8. You can bevel the edge rather than make a new box.
What John said. It is standard practice to bevel slightly the latch edge of a door to make all points on that edge equidistant from the hinge pin (the pivot point.) As long as your angle iron is wider than 3/8", you can bevel the edge 2x6.
I don't know if this will work for you but I have a larger flush door to the storage area above the shop. It is about 3 x 6. I made a door that would fit tin the hole out of 2 x 4, insulated the cavity with fiberglass because it gets cold here, and used a garage door spring to partially lift it as I go upstairs. It is normally under tension when closed. To go up, I unlatch it and allow the spring tension to pull it up, then I just push it up manually and latch it at the top. I hope this makes sense to you. If you need more info I can send a picture or two. Good luck, Tom
Thanks Gentlemen