Hatch runner/slider

[PabloPicasso]

I'm rebuilding a sliding main hatch. It did have brown plastic like strips in the gullet for the hatch to slide on. However these are worn out/broken. What could these strips be replaced with?

 

[Lightwave395]

I used aluminium channel and self adhesive brush strip which came from ebay

 

[Refueler]

I have stainless steel with countersunk screws ...

 

[Daydream believer]

I used RG 1000 RG1000
I had some in stock already so just cut a strip. However, an enquiry would find out if they would cut a couple of long strips of the correct dimension for you.
If you look on their site you may well find an alternative material that suits you better ( all the items have full descriptions & uses)

 

[pyrojames]

Brass channel on SS strip. SS on SS has a tendency to gall (seize) and ally is too soft.

 

[PabloPicasso]

Brass channel on SS strip. SS on SS has a tendency to gall (seize) and ally is too soft.

Interesting idea.

Would HDPE plastic be a good choice?

 

[Daverw]

Ours slides on acetal strips, quite and clean

 

[PabloPicasso]

Yes, acetal strips is likely the best answer.

 

[ghostlymoron]

When mine wore out after 15 years, I turned them over, they should be good for another 15. I'd use something like Formica if they needed changing again. I think the originals were Tufnall.

 

[Stemar]

I quite like the idea of a stainless strip with HDPE slides on the hatch itself

 

[Refueler]

I realise that OP's hatch is already designed and most likely just looking for material to replace worn parts. But thought it might be interesting for some to see my hatch system that has stood test of time ... boat built and this installed about 1973 ....

The flat plate has countersunk screws into the teak standoff ... and hatch slides nicely apart from winter - when a quick silicon wipe or spray keeps hatch from icing up.

 

[Yngmar]

I've replaced a broken section of the original plastic rails with HDPE and it's gliding better than whatever material the original was.

 

[Daydream believer]

If you cannot buy HDPE, Acetal or RG 1000 in strip form you can try what I did with some nylon on another job
I bought some rod. I cut it down the centre which gave me 2nice domed strips with the cut edge facing down to the fixing surface. I drilled & countesunk the screws through the domed surface & the 2 halves made nice runners.
This was for the sliding part of a machine & it has worked Ok for a couple of years.
But I do have a band saw. I could have done the same with a circular saw. One has to purchase a larger than expected diameter because the sawcut does remove some of the width of the finished strip. It is a cheap way of doing it & acetal & nylon can be purchased as rod from many supplies including the link I gave earlier.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

If you cannot buy HDPE, Acetal or RG 1000 in strip form you can try what I did with some nylon on another job
I bought some rod. I cut it down the centre which gave me 2nice domed strips with the cut edge facing down to the fixing surface. I drilled & countesunk the screws through the domed surface & the 2 halves made nice runners.
This was for the sliding part of a machine & it has worked Ok for a couple of years.
But I do have a band saw. I could have done the same with a circular saw. One has to purchase a larger than expected diameter because the sawcut does remove some of the width of the finished strip. It is a cheap way of doing it & acetal & nylon can be purchased as rod from many supplies including the link I gave earlier.

To my mind, a flat surface will require less effort to slide the hatch than a curved one, as the weight will be more spread out.
I' ve got some strips of PTFE which I intend to use when I can get around to it.
Edit: It's acetal from Direct Plastics

 

[Daverw]

Acetal sheet strips easily available from direct plastics for not a lot of £

Acetal Sheet | Direct Plastics Limited