I have an old 5000 bushel butler bin on my acreage that hasn't been used in 10-15 years according to the previous owner. It's just a govt bin, no drying floor and I would like to use it to store fire wood in it. I have cut a door out of the corrugated steel, 5'x3' and now am in the brainstorming stage as to how best to frame the door into it. I plan to just build a door from 2x4's and heavy hardware cloth to keep the critters out but allow some air flow. So I'm wondering has anyone on here done it or seen it done? I'm trying to figure out the best way to frame 2x4's over the steel opening and am looking for suggestions. I appreciate any input. Thanks.
FRAMING A DOOR IN AN OLD GRAIN BIN
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NormL
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Depending on how big the critters you want kept outside are, you could just attach the 2x4's with screws or bolts around the outside of the opening, either flat to the corrugations or standing out. Then screw or nail all the rest to that.
Pete Judd
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Can you screw it and then fill the gaps with Bondo? Just drill holes where the framing contacts the steel for the screws, and after it is finished Bondo it. Bondo is cheap and will fill all the gaps as well as grip both the wood and the metal.
Snaker
Silver Member
It might be easier to frame it from the inside of the bin rather than at the edge of the opening.
I think your shorting yourself with a 5' door height. That would be a headbanger for sure. And if you would ever want to pitch it in while standing in a pickup, you will be swearing up a storm in no time. Trust me.
I think your shorting yourself with a 5' door height. That would be a headbanger for sure. And if you would ever want to pitch it in while standing in a pickup, you will be swearing up a storm in no time. Trust me.
bigtiller
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Bolt some hinges to your cut-out piece and use it for the door.
SSdoxie
Elite Member
Drill holes and bolt 2X4 on both inside and outside. Face these off with a 1X6 (extra width can run to the inside). Build your door frame, mount it with a couple strap hinges and cover it with material of choice.
Note: I too would advise cutting that opening at least 6' high if not more.
Note: I too would advise cutting that opening at least 6' high if not more.
RogerMc
New member
This is the way to frame it but I would cut the opening to standard door height and stop the top just at the bottom of opening so I could put a piece of drip edge metal at the top. You could use a 2X6 at the top for more support.
This will keep water that runs down the side of the bin from running behind you top frame and into bin and rotting the wood. You can pick the metal drip edge up at any home store or building supply or just use some metal flashing and make you own drip edge. Or you could just find a used exterior door and use it. Cut opening to fit and back up the inside with 2X4 and through bolt. You could caulk the edges between frame and metal to protect the sides of the framing.
Roger
I appreciate all the input and ideas. I would like to have a taller door as some suggested but in order to do so, I would have to cut out an area where two of the corrugated "panels" come together. I figured I would rather keep the structural stability and sacrifice a few inches of height. I'm a bit concerned about the structure that I've removed and how that effects the stability of the rest of the bin. Is this a non-issue or will the 2x4's and or angle iron provided enough stability back to the bin? Thanks again.
Don
Don