"dmc" wrote in message ...

Now the new boiler and store is in place, I've ripped out the huge double
airing cupboard and now have to sort out the room to be a useful bedroom.

We've ordered a HiSleeper (bed on big legs - big *expensive* legs :-/) and
while measuring up today the thought of converting the door to be a
sliding
door crossed my mind...

I was pondering changing the way the door is hung so that it opened
outwards
but that isn't great as it's at the top of the stairs - recipe for
disaster.


The simplest sliding door I have made, and is still hung perfectly after ten
years, was made with nylon thread bobbins, a length of 1 X 2 inch timber
double the width of the door and a length of angle iron the same length as
the timber, along with other small bits and pieces for fixings Etc. But
nothing fancy.

Screw the 1 X 2 inch timber to the door lintel and wall, so that it sticks
out the way you want the door to slide open. Drill and screw the length of
angle iron to the 1 X 2 inch timber.

Take two 4 inch screws and cut the heads off. Bend them to ninety (90)
degrees about an inch and half from the head end (although you can get ready
made hooks of this size off the shelf, we made two from the screws). Screw
these bent screws into the top of the door, keeping them to the side that is
against the wall. Leave enough sticking out to accept two thread bobbins on
the bent end. Now the thread bobbins are ready made wheels to run the door
on. Lift the door into position to mount the thread bobbins on to the angle
iron. The door now runs gently along the inside of the angle iron with
grace. A screw on the under side of the timber batten, stops the door
sliding right off the runner (angle iron).

The wheels should be lubricated about once a year to keep everything running
smoothly. Also remember to countersink the angle iron to hide the screw
heads when you paint the finished product.

Our sliding door to the kitchen is still up there, and working perfectly.
Looks just like any other sliding door I've seen. We did have a bobbin
(sorry, wheel) break about a year into using the door, but it was a cheap
thread bobbin to begin with.

I have also seen sliding door follow this same technique, but used toy car
wheels on the top hooks instead of thread bobbins. They worked just as
good.

Have fun with your new project.