rails for roll up doors

[1985 kenworth]

has anyone made any rails to be able to make to add roll up doors on the trucks and trailers if so whats the best way to make them any and all help would be appreciated i don't have access to a machine shop so it will be done by hand with a few basic power tools mostly looking for what material to use and how to get the bend in it i want the door to be functioning...thanks:confused:

[doodlebug]

See the post's in this thread for idea's and who to talk to. http://rctruckandconstruction.com/showthread.php?t=3617&highlight=cattle+trailer&page=3 Start at post #51
Hope this help's!
Cheer's, Neil.

[1985 kenworth]

yes thanks i did see that already i already made the actual roll up door just looking to do the rails someone mentioned brass c-channel but still need the bend in it

[doodlebug]

Have you considered using plastic to form the channel's?
Glue the pieces up in a wood jig.
Cheer's, Neil.

[1985 kenworth]

no actually i never thought of that...wouldn't the plastic melt from the heat to bend it or it would warp out of shape if i used c-channel styrene ...it would collapse in the bend thats what i am afraid of:eek:

[Mrfish55]

If you have dimensions of what you want I can see about cutting you some acrylic tracks on my laser, what material are you using for the door?

[doodlebug]

no actually i never thought of that...wouldn't the plastic melt from the heat to bend it or it would warp out of shape if i used c-channel styrene ...it would collapse in the bend thats what i am afraid of:eek:

I was thinking more of making the channel, from 3 separate pieces of plastic
Styrene, and gluing together. It doesn't have to be a tight fit. Next time you are following a semi trailer, look and see how much the older door's flop around! Trying to do a better job explaining!:eek:
Cheer's, Neil.

[Tamiya Cowboy]

Dave is the man to help you on this project. But there are other ways to go about it.. On my alum cattle trailer I have alum tracks that are milled but you can use plastic C channel like Niel said you don't heat to bend it you notch it to bend it then glue it on the back side to holed it in place..

[doodlebug]

Thank's, Paul!

[scalelover]

Evergreen and plastistruct have several different sizes available in styrene, you can order it from their site or your lhs. Not sure of exact sizes though.

--Dan

[Izzy]

to bend metal channel at work we usually place apiece of scrap on the inside of the channel then bend with tooling to the desired shape then remove the scrap piece. The scrap piece keeps the channel from pinching shut or kinking

[spudd]

i have one of izzys trailers with his channel and it works great.i bought some styrene siding that looks like a door and it works great.slides up and down perfect

[1985 kenworth]

hi guys thanks for the suggestions i am actually using evergreen strip styrene i cut them to the width i want then use fibreglass duct tape and tape them all together so its flexible .the strip size that i want to use for the door is the #169 and the size is.080 x.250" (2.0mmx6.3mm) thats what it says on the package the thickness of the styrene is 2.0 mm so i guess the track opening will have to be slightly wider than that so it will slide up and down:)

[1985 kenworth]

yes paul i saw those tracks in your thread did you make them i am doing a aluminum trailer also

[1985 kenworth]

that is very kind of you mrfish to offer that suggestion :D