Are you building a barndoor and want to have the crossbar/ crossbuck line up perfectly? Want a No-Measure Barndoor crossbuck?
If you are here, I am assuming that is the case. Well I have an easy solution for you that will show you how to install and build a barndoor crossbar without even measuing or any kind of special tools needed.
First, this assumes you are building a barndoor or have project of some sort that has a crossbar or crossbuck but want to make sure that it lines up properly.
I ended up building an 8 foot tall sliding barndoor. This was a fairly easy build and included a 3/4 inch plywoood, some basic trim boards and involvede adding the hardware and sliding barndoor track.
But what was the toughest part was figuring out how to build the crossbar/ crossbuck pieces. I am sure there are special formulas and woodworkers could tell me what I could have done but this is the Rad Dad projects and hacks channel and I basically try and get out by doing as little work as possible and having fun doing it.
So this project involved a big door. Once I had the door built, I went about trying to figure out how to to ge the crossbar to line up. Full disclaimer. I did watch other videos and websites and so in the end, went with an idea that I thought would be easiest.
Step 1
Have your door built and ready to go. (I may do another blog on how to build the door if you like- just leave a comment and let me know.)
- Lay the door flat.
- Take a long board that reaches from one corner to the other.
- Lay it across in the direction – from one side to the other (make sure it is long enough to clear both sides)
Take smaller boards and place them underneath, in the corners where the crossbar will be setting (see video)
Place the board that will be the crossbar, over top of the boards and line it up so that it overlaps both coners of the barndoor section. This is important that it overlap so that it is long enough for you to be able to cut the board to fit.
- Make sure the board is centered, in the middle of the point.
- Check that the board is centered on both ends
- If you are not measuing and you are doing this method, you must make sure that both ends are centeded with the board underneath. See video for specifics.
- Then take a dab of glue and glue the top board to the bottom board. This is temporary and is just going to be enough glue to hold it on so that you can make a visual and mark what you need to cut on the other side. You will pull the boards a part after the cut marks are made.
- Be sure to do both sides.
- Let dry
- Once dry, flip the boards upside down.
- Trace the edges of the board to cut (basically creating a stencil)
- After the stencil cut lines are marked, break the board free from the underneath boards.
- Now you can see your cut lines, angle and direction for both sides of the board.
- Cut on the lines
Place the boards and boom, you have your no measure barndoor crossbar.
It may require you to sand the edges or trim based on how you cut it.
Additionally, you can also caulk the lines with painters caulk, which I did not do, opting to go for more of a rustic traditional look.
Glue the crossbar in place.
Use clamps to hold it in place until the glue is set. (I waited 24-hrs).
There you go. Your crossbard/ crossbuck without any measuring or special tools.
Check out this video of me building it.
