How To Install Bessler Model 20 Disappearing Stairway
All Bessler Disappearing Stairways are
designed for easy operation, safe and
convenient use. These instructions are
intended to speed your assembly and
installation, and allow you to understand
the Bessler system and how it works. If
you will read all the instructions, study
the drawings, check the parts for correct
dimensions (sometimes hardware may
get bent in shipping or rough handling),
it will save considerable time in assem-
bly and installation, and can add years
of life to your stairway.
Before starting installation, we suggest
you study FIG 1 and acquaint yourself
with all the numbered parts and get a
mental picture of the completed stairway.
STEP 1.
Prepare the fi nished opening
for the size as shown in FIG 6. Finish the
opening with all four jambs (not sup-
plied by Bessler) even with the top of the
attic fl oor as shown in FIG 2 and with all
corners plumb and square.
STEP 2.
Remove the guide frame (Part
5) and panel bracket (Part 10) from the
hardware carton. To make sure these
parts have not been damaged in ship-
ping, measure the distance between the
slide bars on the guide frame and the
slide bars on the panel bracket. These
two dimensions should be 16-5/8” +/-
1/32”, and slide bars should be parallel
to each other.
STEP 3.
Remove the door panel from
carton and make certain this part has
not been damaged in shipping or han-
dling. To install door panel (Part 15),
see FIG 3, draw a line 1-5/8” above the
bottom edge of fi nished jamb all the
way across the header where the door
panel will be hinged. Drive two small
nails half way through the jamb on the
line to act as a guide to hold the hinge
against when fastening hinge to jamb.
While your helper holds the door and
hinge against the nails above, center
the hinge between the side jambs, and
partially drive two more nails through
screw holes in hinge. This will hold door
in position while you complete installa-
tion using #10 x 1” P.H. screws in rest of
holes.
STEP 4.
Install guide frame (Part 5) by hooking the angle on top of the attic fl oor in the center of the fi nished opening,
directly above the door hinge, as shown in FIG 4. Attach with #10 x 1” P.H. screws. After all screws are tightened and guide
frame has been set fi rmly in position, re-measure between the faces of the slide bars to make certain they are still 16-5/8”
+/- 1/32” and also parallel. If any adjustment is needed, now is the right time to do it. Grip the slide bar with vice grips,
crescent wrench, or other tool, and bend as necessary to set slide bars at 16 5/8” apart and parallel when measured from
face to face.
LIST OF PARTS
1. Stringers (2)
2. Treads
3. Handrail
4. Handrail Posts
5. Header Guide Frame
6. Piano Hinge
7. Panel Door Drum (L & R)
8. Stringer Drum (L & R)
9. No Item
10. Panel Brackets (L & R)
11. Door Cables (L & R)
12. Stringer Cables (L & R)
13. Catch Lock
14. Stringer Cable Holders (2)
15. Door Panel
16. Door Panel Chain
Stairwell Depth
Minimum 4-11/16”
Maximum 14-1/2”
FIG 1
FIG 3
FIG 4
FIG 2
Rough
Opening
Finished
Opening
Finished
Ceiling
Ceiling
Stop
Panel
Opening
Stop
Guide Nails 1-5/8” from Bottom
of Finished Jamb
Attach with
#10 x 1”
P.H. Screws
