400 newer screen door issue

krsmes

I have a 2021 400 but had the screen door replaced a year and a half ago and it is a slightly different style than the one shown in some of the DIY repair threads from a few years ago (most noticeable at the bottom of the door).

I have had less issues with this one but on our current 6 week outing the string has frayed (the black outer shell has torn but not the inner white string) and the door will only open about half way. I know if I force it open it will snap.  I've seen the diagrams of how these operate but can't figure out where it is jammed.  I'm sure the stretching from being jammed is why the string is frayed (third string row down from the top). 

Anyone have any ideas of how to analyze where the problem is so I can maybe make the door at least semi-functional  (i.e. open) without breaking it?

ScottG

I presume you've seen the schematics I posted here. The door string system is surprisingly elegant, but not particularly intuitive. There are numerous points where the strings slide over or through something, and a frayed string is almost certain to get hung up a bit on one of those locations. Figuring out exactly where that is happening is challenging.

However, given what you describe and show in your photos, I'd guess the sticking point is the grommet the string passes through on the pull bar side of the screen pack. The grommet is quit small, and it looks like once you open the door to the point of the break, the frayed black outer shell is bunching up against the grommet and prohibiting further movement. 

krsmes

I like the idea of DIY replacing the stringing with a really strong fishing line (or equivalent)-- how many hour project do you think that is?   

My only alternative is to find another solution entirely for a screen "door" (thinking something like one of those magnetic push through screens doors or something), because I replacing this one every couple years gets really expensive.

ScottG

I completed my restringing over several days in the off-season, but didn't really keep track of the time. It was certainly several hours--much of it spent carefully studying how the door works, and exercising great care with the actual restringing. It was tedious, but not particularly difficult once i knew what I was doing.

I've also done it twice, and the second time went much more quickly. The old adage "Never do anything for the first time." certainly applies here!  :-)

And, now I'll be doing it for a third time. This summer--much to my surprise--the 60lb monofilament I used in the second repair also broke. Regardless, it is still a far better solution than the fabric cord I used in the first repair, which didn't even last a season. I've got a lifetime supply of that fishing line, so will be using it again.

krsmes

My temporary fix was to cut the line on the left hand side, pull the black shell off the right hand side and tie it back together.  The tying back together was near impossible but it is working so far. I can at least open the door all the way.

Marceline

krsmes said:

I like the idea of DIY replacing the stringing with a really strong fishing line (or equivalent)-- how many hour project do you think that is?   

My only alternative is to find another solution entirely for a screen "door" (thinking something like one of those magnetic push through screens doors or something), because I replacing this one every couple years gets really expensive.

My older T@B came with a silly screen door that zips up the middle. As a temporary fix I replaced it with a "magic mesh" style screen that I cut down the the size of the door. My temporary fix has lasted at least four years and I'm really happy with how it works. I can crash through it with my hands full and it closes itself.

krsmes

That is good to know--kinda what I wanted to try. 

Maybe while I have the screen door off (to theoretically do a string/filament replacement) I'll give that a try and maybe it will be the permanent fix if I like it and I never get to the repair.

@Marceline Is there a particular product (Amazon?) that worked well for being able to cut it down to size?

xdr

@Marceline It would be nice to see what this looks like as a ‘magic mesh’ style door. Do you have a picture you can share or info for changing this out? 

Thanks 

Marceline

xdr said:

@Marceline It would be nice to see what this looks like as a ‘magic mesh’ style door. Do you have a picture you can share or info for changing this out? 

Thanks 

krsmes

@Marceline Did you sew your edging on after cutting it down to shape?

Marceline

krsmes said:

@Marceline Did you sew your edging on after cutting it down to shape?

The edge is Velcro. It attaches to Velcro around the doorway. I had intended to sew it on, but I bought the wrong kind of Velcro (sticky back) and it’s impossible to sew through that because the needle gets gummed up. So the Velcro is just stuck to the screen fabric and it’s held up surprisingly well.