I finally got a stubborn door operator to sync up by using a laser level

We had this old Dover unit in a building downtown that kept having the doors close out of time. I tried adjusting the cams and checking the belts for two hours with no luck. Out of ideas, I set up my DeWalt laser level on the floor to project a straight line across both door panels. Watching them move against that line showed me one side was lagging by about an eighth of an inch. A tiny tweak to the linkage arm on that side fixed it right up. Has anyone else used a laser for door alignment instead of just the marks on the track?

3 comments

3 Comments

sullivan.finley8d ago

Nice! That laser trick would probably work for setting up those finicky automatic handicap door buttons too, to make sure they're timed right.

leelewis8d ago

You know, that's a smart fix. I read a forum post a while back where a guy used a laser pointer taped to a tripod for the same thing on a set of sliding glass doors. He said the factory marks on the header were worn off, and trying to eyeball it was a nightmare. That straight reference line makes all the difference. It takes the guesswork out and shows you the real problem. I'm going to throw my little Bosch laser in the tool bag from now on.

king.andrew8d ago

Ever have that laser drift on you over a long distance, or is it solid enough for layout work?