Crafts & DIY
A DIY folding metal door that looks like it's from the future
This is so cool!
Catherine Marucci
07.24.19

This futuristic folding metal door could be yours.

That is if you have patience, a blow torch, and a space to work in. You will also need some basic fabrication knowledge and a few other tools.

Still, if anyone can make creating a door look easy, even a door that any space captain would be honored to have on their ship, it’s got to be this guy.

metal door closed
Phil Vandelay via YouTube
Source:
Phil Vandelay via YouTube

An empty portal waiting for the perfect door

Phil Vandelay moved into a new work space, and it ended up needing a door. He knew the exact one to create. He had actually been waiting for an excuse to make one for quite a while, and there in his new space stood an empty doorway, just waiting for a door. Who could have passed up on that opportunity?


metal door
Phil Vandelay via YouTube
Source:
Phil Vandelay via YouTube

He does admit that the design isn’t high security, even despite being metal. However, since his work space is already behind a few doors and this is just an internal one, he decided that it would be perfect for the situation.


door
Phil Vandelay via YouTube
Source:
Phil Vandelay via YouTube

Getting to work

First, he starts cutting the pieces that he needs for the frame, and we’re excited to see things getting started.

Power tools are already involved as he cuts the precise angles that he will need to fix the various parts of the frame together.

If you don’t have a shop and still want one of these doors, you may need to find someone who does have a shop to make one for you. On the upside, the blueprints are available for just a few dollars on Phils’s Etsy, so you shouldn’t have any trouble with showing them exactly what you want.


saw
Phil Vandelay via YouTube
Source:
Phil Vandelay via YouTube

Phase one in progress

He begins to assemble the frame. Now we can start to see how the angles line up for a door that seems to swing closed on itself as it folds up perfectly (or it will once it is done). Next, he gets to soldering together the frame pieces so that they fit precisely.

There is a lot of precision soldering going on. Phil really knows what he is doing.


torch
Phil Vandelay via YouTube
Source:
Phil Vandelay via YouTube

Then he sands down everything to gleaming perfection. He needs it to be perfect so that none of the metal catches. This door will need to fold smoothly for the best effect. Who has ever heard of doors that get stuck in the future (other than when the AI takes over and locks everyone in)?

Slowly, and with some more precision cutting and drilling on the smaller parts needed to make the magic happen, the pieces come together to form a more-than-functioning door frame with movable parts.


work
Phil Vandelay via YouTube
Source:
Phil Vandelay via YouTube

This isn’t just a flat frame, those moving parts that will allow the panels to glide effortlessly in the perfect style for any futuristic door.

Phase two

Next, the metal frame is put into place and attached to the wood frame of the opening that anyone lucky enough to get to use this door will be walking through.


building
Phil Vandelay via YouTube
Source:
Phil Vandelay via YouTube

Phil tests the metal frame once it is in place and it moves flawlessly.


frame
Phil Vandelay via YouTube
Source:
Phil Vandelay via YouTube

Now, it just needs panels!


panel
Phil Vandelay via YouTube
Source:
Phil Vandelay via YouTube

He cuts them into place, attaches them securely onto the frame and the magic is complete.


moving
Phil Vandelay via YouTube
Source:
Phil Vandelay via YouTube

He has a door that will still be stylish even in the year 2500. Now, that’s thinking about the future.


complete
Phil Vandelay via YouTube
Source:
Phil Vandelay via YouTube

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