DDM Garage Doors Blog - Page 3 of 24 -

How to Replace the Clutch on a Commercial Jackshaft Operator

Saturday, December 31st, 2022 at 1:14 pm by Philip Kendall

In this video, we use a LiftMaster operator to demonstrate how to replace the clutch on a commercial jackshaft operator. The clutch is one of the three safety systems manufacturers build into their operators.

Taking the Assembly Apart

  1. Firstly, disconnect the power from the operator for safety.


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How Commercial Operator Clutches Work

Saturday, December 31st, 2022 at 1:11 pm by Philip Kendall

Commercial Operator Clutches are one of the safety devices that operator manufacturers use to keep their doors from causing injuries or damage. The clutch will slip, which keeps the operator from forcing the door open or shut if something is obstructing it.…

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The Torsion Spring Safe-T-Winder™

Tuesday, November 15th, 2022 at 4:14 pm by Philip Kendall

The DDM Torsion Spring Safe-T-Winder™ uses a drill to wind garage door torsion springs. Now you can wind torsion springs safely without winding bars!

The Torsion Spring Safe-T-Winder
Our Torsion Spring Safe-T-Winder™ easily winds springs on doors weighing up to 1500 pounds.

Historically, winding torsion springs has been one of the most dangerous aspects of garage door maintenance.…

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Different Types of Limit Switches

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022 at 8:04 pm by Dan Musick

Limit switches are used to keep the garage door opener from trying to open a garage door that is already open, or trying to close a door that is already closed. Throughout the history of garage doors, engineers have come up with a wide variety of limit switch designs.…

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Amarr Pinch-proof Doors

Wednesday, October 5th, 2022 at 3:17 pm by Philip Kendall

Amarr created a unique, pinch-proof design for their doors.

The basic principle behind pinch-proof hinges is to prevent people from trying to close the door manually by sticking their fingers between the sections of the door. Smashed fingers have led to numerous lawsuits.…

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How to Counterbalance a Bi-fold Hangar Door

Saturday, May 7th, 2022 at 9:40 am by Liz Dzik

Usually, you can find large bi-fold hangar doors at airports or in specialty production shops. We get requests for torsion spring hardware to counterbalance smaller bi-fold doors from time to time.

A view of a bi-fold hangar door that is partially open.

On bi-fold doors, the top of the door is hinged and secured to the outside top of the opening.…

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Customer Service Representative

Saturday, January 22nd, 2022 at 11:45 am by Dan Musick

Full Time Customer Service Position with Benefits

About DDM Garage Doors

For forty years, DDM has provided top-quality garage door and dock components for DIY residential as well as commercial B2B applications. We have a huge inventory of parts for same or next-day shipping along with quick delivery of garage doors.…

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Allister, Allstar & Raynor Sprockets

Monday, November 8th, 2021 at 12:53 pm by Dan Musick

The old Allister and Allstar openers use two black sprockets. The one above the motorhead moves to activate the limit switches as the limit dogs reach their shut-off points.

An Allstar Model 6500 Garage door opener
Allstar Model 6500 Garage Door Opener

The one above the garage door acts as an idler.…

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Counter Wiring for A LiftMaster Operator

Friday, December 18th, 2020 at 5:55 pm by Dan Musick

An operator counter tracks door cycles: one opening plus one closing equals one cycle. To track the usage of a garage door, users often install counters on the operators.

An image of  a LiftMaster operator with an external counter showing 196,491 cycles.
This 24-volt counter shows that the operator has cycled 196,491 times.

One of the more common reasons to track door cycles is to schedule maintenance before the door or the operator needs repairs.…

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How to Adjust a LiftMaster Motor So the Belt Fits

Friday, December 11th, 2020 at 6:33 pm by Dan Musick

Sometimes, replacement v-belts on garage door operators are a different length than the original belt. In this video, we demonstrate how to adjust a LiftMaster motor so that the belt fits properly, even if it is a different length.

If a v-belt is too tight or too loose, you can adjust the motor to get the proper fit.


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Since 1997 the Gold Standard for Online Garage Door Parts

CUSTOMER SUPPORT HELP WANTED

Huge inventory of torsion springs for same or next day shipping! Here you will find all you need in the most common sizes of 1 3/4," 2," 2 1/4," and 2 5/8" inside diameter springs. Larger 3 3/4" and 6" inside diameter commercial and industrial springs may require a day or two to ship. You'll also find TorqueMaster Springs, Extension Springs, Self-Storage door springs, steel rolling door springs and springs for one piece single panel doors.

Shelves packed with every part you need to fix your doors.

Please note. Shipping times and costs have changed. Normal transit times are currently not guaranteed, even on next day and second day shipments. Shipping prices on items over eight feet have more than tripled.