On Sun, 6 Jun 2010 15:44:16 +0100, "john hamilton"
wrote:

When working on my car, I bring it right up close to the house and lay my
tools out on the floor behind the front door. Since you never know when it
will rain, it works out very handy since then all I have to do is close the
door; and don't have to be picking up all the tools.

Now if its not warm the family doesn't like the cold air coming into the
house and they want the front door shut, which is fair enough. Since the
door just swings open I have to keep getting the keys out of my pocket to
open the door.

I would like the door to stay shut on its own accord, yet just open with a
push without having to use the keys. There is no room on the door jamb to
screw one of those helical spring self closers. And anyway in general use we
dont want the door to close by itself. Which also rules out one of those
hydraulic self closers which could fit on at the top of the door.

Have tried using the strongest cuboard magnet I can find (In north London
u.k.), but if the wind picks up surprisingly it will just not hold. Also
tried cutting a thin wedge of cork glued to an upright jamb which makes the
door a tight fit when closed. However the door shrinks in the summer and
expands in the winter so that only works for about half the year.

Grateful for any suggestions, especially something similar to the cork
arrangement which works just fine prividing the weather suits it. Thanks.


This very complex situation requires thinking outside the already
normally complex "how do I close a door" thought processes.
Since you choose to keep your tools where you must take a walk to get
the one you need - btw, are they on the floor where the family can
trip over them as they come and go? - it should be no problem to use
chain or rope to secure the door. That's only logical.
Tie one end a rope or chain around the car and the attach the other
end to the door.
Properly done this will prevent the wind from blowing open the door.
When you take a stroll to get a tool, untie the rope/chain from the
car so there is enough slack to open the door and reach the tools.
An added benefit to chain/rope is if the rain becomes heavy enough to
obscure vision, you can hand-over-hand on the chain/rope to find your
way to the house.
Make sure to warn the family to use another door or the windows to
come in and out of the house while you are working on the car, or set
up a system to notify you when you should untie the door from the car.
Perhaps a klaxon system next to the tools on the floor can be
activated when you are doing repairs.
That way no one is inconvenienced.
Another important note: A foolproof system of reminders is needed so
that the chain/rope is removed and stored before you drive away in the
car.
Or you might try something like this
http://www.stedall.co.uk/acatalog/Door_Retainers.html

--Vic