400: Saloon Sliding door wheels

[feebs]

Looking at having replacement wheels made using a 3D printer, as replacement wheels can only be purchased from Lagoon as a complete unit ie with aluminium frame. And yes, cost of this is way over the top.

Just trying to use this knowledge base to see if anyone has tried this. My main concern is that the material will be durable enough & not just wear or flat spot. Any thoughts?

Thanks


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[katsumi]

I think you are correct regarding the 3 d printing plastic, I would say it would be poor standard. Have you tried hardware shop that sell wheels for sliding doors? I have yet to look into this myself but that's where I would start.
We have issues with the locking mechanism which I am looking at as the lock can jam at times.
Would be good to know if you come up with a solution to the wheels.

[UNCIVILIZED]

Odds are that you could DIY some wheels out of G10, Delrin,Turcite, Micarta, Aluminum, or other. Either at home, in a friend's shop, or have someone make them for you.
As unless they're unusually complex, once the center hole is drilled, it'd simply be a matter of turning them down to the proper size & profile. So, with a pair of calipers, a drill/drill press or lathe, & some files, chisels, & sandpaper...

Or, to get them precisely made, you could pay a machine shop, or wood shop to do it. Most of those materials are pretty easy to work with using woodworking tools. That, or a CNC if you want to get fancy.

And aside from Googling the properties of the materials in question, in order to see what might be a viable substitute, if you don't use that which the OEM ones are made of. Either ask on here, & or, go to www.matweb.com as it has the mechanical properties of anything you're likely to consider using, as well as those of your current ones.

So really, they shouldn't cost you much at all. Knock on wood.

PS: Speaking of wood, even certain types of impregnated wood laminates would work. Even DIY, epoxy vacuum bagged plywood. Where you stack layers of 3mm marine ply together, with each piece painted with epoxy, & the vacuum sucks the resin all of the way through the wood. Making a tough, cheap, laminate.

[Zach]

See if you recognize any of your hardware here... Boat Sliding Door Hardware | Boat Outfitters

[feebs]

Thanks for the input.

Here is the roller removed from its carriage.





The one I need to replace is flat spotted & it's bearing is corroded.

Have tried several window & hardware outlets to no avail, so will go down the manufacturing path as suggested by uncivilised. Just need to find a lathe to use & purchase some bearings that will be compatible as original bearings are not available.

Bearings need to be 8 mm wide , which will accept a 6 mm axel. Original bearing is 10 mm diameter, but that is not essential since I will be making roller to suit new bearing.

Will post bearing details once sourced.


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[katsumi]

This company has some simular looking rollers. The also have great product for cleaning water spots off windows.
CRL 1-1/4" Replacement Rollers

[feebs]

Thanks for this Katsumi.

I don't believe either are suitable - one has a steel bearing ( will corrode ) & other has a fixed axle ( won't be able to put it in the carriage ). See photo.



Original roller is 21 mm OD & it has to be exactly 8 mm wide. This is why I believe getting new bearings will be easiest way ahead.


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[Zach]

Hi Feebs,

Check out Mc-Master Carr for the materials and bearings... McMaster-Carr

If you find a machine shop you like, they can drill the center hole on the lathe... then use a parting tool to cut them to width. If you have height adjustment, the v-groove can be something as simple as a round dowel wrapped in sandpaper till it looks right before cutting with the parting tool, save on having to make tool changes for each.

Should be a case of beer type job if you can adopt Inch size measurements for the bearings and ID, just to get the drill size something they have at hand.

Cheers,

Zach

[feebs]

Thanks for everyone's input.

Problem solved (see photo of original roller - this is a steel roller, which rusted & seized. It then flat spotted the wheel).




Purchased bearing from SKF ( 8 mm width, 6 mm ID, 10 mm OD - HK0608 - could only buy steel). Wheel was made from OILMAMID ROD 25 mm stock (purchased from CBC Bearings - 300 mm length ) on a friends lathe. When assembled, I placed a small amount of TefGel around bearing to help prevent corrosion - fingers crossed.




Will remove door in a couple of months to see how it is wearing.





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[rabbi]

the roller cars / assembly looks exactly like what FP used in our Mahe.

These things are no to be found in germany, must be a local French thing. We replaced the complete assemblies with these after trying a few other:

Schiebetür Laufwagen H678 links rechts verwendbar Neu | eBay

The seller will send to other countries as well. The 4 that were sold are the ones we bought last year, so he doesn't seem to run out of stock soon.