DIY skills and basic tools

So I’m playing around with the idea of automating my old manual garage door using a linear actuator. I’ve got decent DIY skills and basic tools, but I’m not sure if a single actuator is strong enough to lift a wooden door. I saw some options on Progressive Automations and they seem promising, but I’d love to hear if anyone’s actually done this before—especially with one of those heavier garage doors from the 90s.

 

I actually rigged up a system last fall for my dad’s workshop garage. The door wasn’t super heavy, but I used a high-force actuator just to be safe. Added a control box with a remote, and it’s been running smooth all winter, even in freezing temps. If you're checking options, this dc linear actuators https://www.progressiveautomations.com/collections/linear-actuators helped me figure out the right force and stroke length to get started . Just don’t skip the safety switch wiring, trust me on that.

 

Every time I look at these DIY builds, I’m amazed at how much you can do with the right parts and a weekend. The fact that you can automate something like a garage door without spending a fortune on commercial systems makes it really tempting to try a build myself one of these days.