Fireplace doors.

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Hey gang,I’ve been wanting a set of glass doors for my fireplace.  Problem is after two years of searching the web, the only thing I can do is have custom doors made as my make and model are no longer available.My local dealer wants $900.00 + to make them.  That is unacceptable to me.  I can’t believe that four pieces of glass, two hinges and a few pieces of hardware could cost 900 bucks.I decided after a lot of thought that I would make the doors myself.  I saw some great ideas at (click here ------------>) Link and decided that it would have to cost me a heck of a lot less than 900 to make not to mention the fun in doing it myself.So my plan is to fabricate a frame out of ½” by 1/8” angel iron for each section of door.  I will join them with a piano hinge and fabricate the mounting brackets. And install two handles.The glass will be 1/4” tempered and I will install that into the frame by tack welding a few pieces of steel to encase the glass.I was thinking of making the frames up first and then giving them to a glazing company to make the glass.  This way they can custom fit the glass in the frames.  I was also thinking of asking them to give me a 1/8 inch clearance around the frame for expansion and contraction.I will paint them with hi temp paint.OK, what do you all think?Suggestions and opinions please.  What am I missing here?I want to make this a professional as I can.Thanks for your opinions in advance.TimLast edited by Tim M; 10-10-2008 at 03:00 AM.
Reply:Sounds like a plan to me. The only thing I would question is the size of the angle. I would opt for a little larger material but I always prefer to build things twice as strong as needed. It comes from working with people able to totally wreck an anvil in a day without breaking a sweat.
Reply:I would attach the glass with a few beads of clear silicone.  It should have no problem with serious heat.  Maybe tack on a few thin sheet strips which could be bend around to hold the glass like a picture frame.The only problem I see, is the cost of the glass.Custom tempered glass in my area costs an arm AND a leg.I was quoted over $500 for a small piece for my shower once.  Decided to go with plexi (not good for your application though). Also, 1/4" may be overkill, depending on the size of the pane.It might be cheaper to find something with tempered glass panes in it (maybe non-custom fireplace doors going on clearance, or something designed as a shelf . . .), and work around that.
Reply:agree with rlitman.  Tempered glass will break the bank unless you have some inside source.  I would also recoomend against welding the glass into the doors.  You're likely to thermally shock the glass and shatter it, unless you opt for a fancy boro-silicate glass, like Pyrex(tm) that's used in kitchenware.  Custom Pyrex will also probably bankrupt your project budget.I suggest you stick with standard glass, and accept that you'll have to be careful about breaking it.  Quarter inch thick glass sounds about right to me.  Standard glass won't take thermal shock well, but a fireplace is nice, gradual heating.  You might also try to fabricate a way to use screws and tabs to hold the glass in.  That way you can install it without heat and replace it easily should it be broken.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:This may helphttp://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowl.../fireplace.aspEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:A fireplace in Florida? Since you get to pick 'everything', I wouldn't use piano hinges. I think they use 'about' 1/8" pins. I'd want heavier and would 'invent' something. Since we're weldors, 1/4" would be my minimum goal.I like the idea of using screws and tabs to fasten the glass (loosely); for the possible replacement. I'm not comfortable with using standard glass, but I have NO qualifications for saying so.9-11-2001......We Will Never ForgetRetired desk jockey. Hobby weldor with a little training. Craftsman O/A---Flat, Vert, Ovhd, Horz. Miller Syncrowave 250
Reply:I am thinking about drilling and tapping some flush allen screws to hold the glass in place.I have yet to buy anything as I'm waiting to find out what the price of the tempered glass sections will cost first.If there isn't a significant savings, I just may bite the bullet and pay the 900 bucks and be done with it.Thanks for the replys.Tim
Reply:Originally Posted by Tim MHey gang, I can’t believe that four pieces of glass, two hinges and a few pieces of hardware could cost 900 bucks.
Reply:Fireplace doors are really neat.  That way you kin use the fireplace with the A/C runnin'."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by Ice Czarand tempered glass is the way to go
Reply:2400?  are we forging iron in there? if its cheaper and available go for it  the doors we made where not "air tight" by any meanssimply impossible with heavily textured steel the way they where constructedNot beyond possibility if some sort of gasket material and or post machining was employed but not really a part of the design brief. Like old fashioned screens keeping the flue gas out was the chimney's jobthe channel formed by the angle iron on three side had the bottom open (counter intuitively) I guess to keep the ash out? As the low man on the totem pole, I got to install quite a lot of glass and the latex was a PIA, the glass and channels set back far enough from the edge to hide the odd globWill forge for foodcrash & smash, bash & mash, crush & bust & burn
Reply:buy commercial doors for the glass and glass frames , then build custom surround  to fit your opening. the high temp paint is going to really stink the first few times it gets hot--if you can find a way to heat it outdoors,it would be better.
Reply:ex brother in law did the same thing a few years back but he made a single door and went to the dump and pulled the glass from an old stove every dump has a pile of them. but if you go to local auto glass shop you make templates from 1/4" ply wood and they can get an exact glass for about $150-75
Reply:OK, update.Bought the materials.16 bucks on the angle.25 on the odds and ends.60 to have the tempered glass made.Looks like a little over a 100 bucks for the whole thing minus my time of course.That beats 900 bucks!!!I had some time today and I made one of the four doors.Will try and post pics when completed.Thank you all for your imput.Tim