For a non-fixed base we recommend 3/4” pressure treated plywood and a stall or gym floor mat.
Cut plywood sheet to 5’. Paint both sides with heavy duty enamel and add sand to top. Cut Mat
to size and secure it to the bottom of the base with construction adhesive and 1” screws.
Bolt threshold base to base side rails with 4, ½” bolts, lock washers and nuts. Position it on base
to ensure proper placement and tight fit before marking and drilling holes. Secure rails with 8,
3/8”carriage bolts, lock washers and nuts. And undo threshold bolts.
With the threshold tipped back out of the rails set pressure treated 6”x6” timbers into threshold
boot and header. Drill pilot holes and using a socket or impact set 20, ½” by 2 ½” lag screws.
You may opt to cut the 6”x6” down from the 8’ starting length to reduce the overall prop height.
If you choose to do this, leave enough length so the door will swing clear of the header.
Tip the 6”x6” door frame up into position and re-bolt threshold to base rails.
Starting with the jamb side set the jamb to where the prop lock is at standard knob and dead bolt
height range between 42” and 44” inches from the ground. Drill pilot holes and set 3, ½” by
3 ½ ” lag screws with socket or impact. Repeat on the hinge side with 3, ½” by 3” lag screws.
Slide force plate on to door and set on wedges or shims to get proper alignment with prop lock
and a tight jamb. Once in place set prop wood and wedge to snug fit and then secure hinges and
force plate with either small lag screws or through bolt with carriage bolts washer, lock washer
and nuts depending on quality and type of door construction.
Repeat process on other side for additional door. We recommend setting the prop up for both
doors so doors are changed easy during training forcing students to change hands of operation
for entry, however using 1 door at a time on the prop allows for the most room to work during
inward swinging demonstrations.
Following a solid initial set up the prop is easily broken down for transportation into 4 pieces by
lifting the doors off the hinges unbolting the 4 threshold bolts and separating the door frame from
the base. With additional help for the extra weight you can keep the doors set in the frame and
break it down into 2 pieces the base and the frame with doors hung.