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  • How to get doors to close back

    Hi guys,
    I have some doors in my haunt that need to be closed when customers get to them and then they open them and go in. They never close doors back and some areas are a long way away from actors. Do any of you use a spring or anything to close your doors back? If so what do you use.....I'm having a hard time finding one small enough to work and still stretch out enough for the door to open all the way. Thanks for your help!

    Matt

  • #2
    Lowes carries a spring that I use on every door I have. I can try to get you the item # to it later. But its alomst at the end of aisle 1, past your fasteners and bolts. (yes I do have Lowes memorized!). Its about 3/8" or 1/2" diameter, and its about 1 foot long. But it springs out to probly 2 feet long or a little more.

    IIRC, they cost around $5.00 each. You'll need to get some small washers too to secure it with a screw.

    Hope this helps.
    Brad Bowen
    Owner/Operator of the Ultimate Fear Haunted House in Shreveport, LA
    www.ultimatefear.net

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    • #3
      I always used bungie cords. If the still have to hooks on the you gotta be careful its screwed down good so theres no way it can come loose and snap back and hit someone in the face
      I'm only doing this to impress 2 people ... The fire marshal and the customer that's it !!!

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      • #4
        I have seen some like this but have not tried them because I was afraid with it being a foot long it wouldnt close my door back snug.....how do you attach them to make it work?

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        • #5
          We use bungees screwed in with large washers. Done this for years now...
          "My day is not complete unless I have terrified a complete stranger!"



          Erick James Gyrion
          Owner - Oblivion Haunted House
          Menasha, Wisconsin

          www.oblivionhauntedhouse.com

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          • #6
            Brads right! we used them to. I cant think of the name. Theres a spring in the hinge, Works great! Looks professional.

            If I remember....... I will post it.

            John

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            • #7
              Tip the bottom of the hinge

              Slightly to allow the door to swing shut, s l o w l y... Beats beating someone in the face or azz!
              Cafe door hinges can be expensive if they are heavy-duty since they are actually two hinges in one with a stiff spring to return the doors to a neutral setting= doors closed.
              hauntedravensgrin.com

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              • #8
                Originally posted by SCfearfarm View Post
                I have seen some like this but have not tried them because I was afraid with it being a foot long it wouldnt close my door back snug.....how do you attach them to make it work?
                Just mount the spring so that when the door is fully closed, the spring is already stretched out a little bit. That way, there is always tenision on the spring. Form there on, unless the spring unwinds on itself, then door will always shut back.
                Brad Bowen
                Owner/Operator of the Ultimate Fear Haunted House in Shreveport, LA
                www.ultimatefear.net

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                • #9
                  There is a series of springs by The Hillman Group, with various diameters.

                  Here's a link to exactly what I buy: http://www.lowes.com/pd_246628-37672...3D3&facetInfo=

                  Again, there are several diameters to choose from online, but at my store, they only carry 1 or 2 sizes.
                  Brad Bowen
                  Owner/Operator of the Ultimate Fear Haunted House in Shreveport, LA
                  www.ultimatefear.net

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                  • #10
                    Thanks guys for the help!

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                    • #11
                      I agree with [MENTION=2205]brad[/MENTION]!! All of our doors that are actor/emergency doors are held tight by springs...when the door is closed the spring is a little more than tense...so when the door is opened the tension is greater and closes back uninterrupted...I'll be at the haunt Saturday and will try to get a pic!!
                      O'Shawn McClendon
                      Creative Chair -- Operator: Cayce-West Columbia Hall of Horrors

                      One mans junk is another mans kick-ass new prop...

                      http://www.hallofhorrors.com

                      http://twitter.com/hallofhorrors

                      http://cwchallofhorrors.blogspot.com

                      http://www.youtube.com/hallofhorrors

                      http://www.myspace.com/cwcjc_hallofhorrors

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                      • #12
                        you could always mount the door off level so gravity will pull back and add a spring to make it close tight
                        I'm only doing this to impress 2 people ... The fire marshal and the customer that's it !!!

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                        • #13
                          Spring Gate Closer

                          Sometimes the screen door type spring or bungee is in the wrong spot of inappropriate for the room. I use Sping Gate Closers. If we're on a Lowes kick here, this is a link http://www.lowes.com/SearchCatalogDi...atalogId=10051

                          Equal time for HD- http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...&Ntpc=1&Ntpr=1

                          But any home improvement store carries them. It screws in behind the door, one end on the jam, the other on the door. You use a wrench and spin the spring until you have the tension you want then insert a small metal bar that locks the spring...you're done!! Out of sight, fully adjustable and heavy duty as they are build for outdoor gates. I use them on wood door, metal doors, anything you want to close!!

                          Usually about $10-11 some times you see them on clearance at end of summer season. I picked up 7-8 of them for $2.00 each. The only place I have a bungee is where want the door to remain open in the off hours for air circulation. Then I go through at the end of the night and unhook the bungee, everthing else has the gate closer!
                          R&J Productions
                          Las Vegas, NV
                          www.LasVegasHaunts.com

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                          • #14
                            I have also used..

                            One inch wide elastic that you buy at a fabric store. It's white with numerous little grey rubber bands inside of it and lasts a long time, usually. Of course the work any door closer has to do is relative to the lack of friction of the hinge and the weight of the door.
                            The elastic can smoothly, quietly close a door without slaming anyone's precious appendages within.
                            hauntedravensgrin.com

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