DOOR threshold without a metal break
May 15, 2016 10:22:02 GMT -8
vikx, djones, and 3 more like this
Post by nccamper on May 15, 2016 10:22:02 GMT -8
A couple of people have asked how I made my threshold without a metal break. It’s really easy on a small scale but unfortunately hard to describe. So I did it with photos below.
But first, Cannedhamtrailers.com has an excellent video that covers the best way to make a threshold with a real aluminum break. If you have access to one, it’s by far the best way to go.
You can also buy a cheap break starting at $49 at Northern tools for small jobs.
Or a nice bigger one recommended by Mobiltec from Harbor Freight for about $230.
www.harborfreight.com/36-inch-metal-brake-with-stand-91012.html
Or the real thing for $1400:
Home Depot rents a break for around $40 a half day.
Now, the poor man’s threshold machine.
As Mobiltec suggests, I used left over siding and cut a piece to the full size (flat) of the old threshold. Since Mobiltec does a great job explaining how to measure the piece I won’t get into it fully here.
You can cut the piece with the multi-tool but here I just used snips.
Draw the line of your first bend. Sandwich the metal in between two scrape pieces of 1x4.
Place it in a vise and tighten.
Then use a rubber mallet to bend the metal slowly working from one side to another.
Use a piece of wood and it will help keep the metal as smooth as possible.
Move on to the next bend. Sometimes you have to play with the 1x4 to get it positioned right.
The last bend in progress.
Finished.
The bends are a little rounded in comparison to a real break. But nobody has ever noticed.
Marking and cutting for the ends is sort of see and say. I’m sure you get it.
This is it just resting in place, not installed.
Another photo on a different camper I restored.
Threshold tutorial-installed by kevin kevin, on Flickr
I hope this helps somebody who needs a cheap threshold.
As for me, I sure wish I had the space for the Van Mark brake.
But first, Cannedhamtrailers.com has an excellent video that covers the best way to make a threshold with a real aluminum break. If you have access to one, it’s by far the best way to go.
You can also buy a cheap break starting at $49 at Northern tools for small jobs.
Or a nice bigger one recommended by Mobiltec from Harbor Freight for about $230.
www.harborfreight.com/36-inch-metal-brake-with-stand-91012.html
Or the real thing for $1400:
Home Depot rents a break for around $40 a half day.
Now, the poor man’s threshold machine.
As Mobiltec suggests, I used left over siding and cut a piece to the full size (flat) of the old threshold. Since Mobiltec does a great job explaining how to measure the piece I won’t get into it fully here.
You can cut the piece with the multi-tool but here I just used snips.
Draw the line of your first bend. Sandwich the metal in between two scrape pieces of 1x4.
Place it in a vise and tighten.
Then use a rubber mallet to bend the metal slowly working from one side to another.
Use a piece of wood and it will help keep the metal as smooth as possible.
Move on to the next bend. Sometimes you have to play with the 1x4 to get it positioned right.
The last bend in progress.
Finished.
The bends are a little rounded in comparison to a real break. But nobody has ever noticed.
Marking and cutting for the ends is sort of see and say. I’m sure you get it.
This is it just resting in place, not installed.
Another photo on a different camper I restored.
Threshold tutorial-installed by kevin kevin, on FlickrI hope this helps somebody who needs a cheap threshold.
As for me, I sure wish I had the space for the Van Mark brake.
