HDPE - suitable material for hatch runners ?

[Guest User]

I'm looking to replace the well-rotten hardwood runners of a sliding roof on a 1970's GRP-topped narrowboat. The two runners are 30 x 10 mm in section and 2.4 metres long. I was thinking that using HDPE might be a maintenance-free solution and self-lubricating too, making sliding the roof a lot easier. I'm not sure though whether or not it would be tough enough. Has anyone got any experience of using HDPE for this sort of application ? Also, does anyone know of any plastics suppliers that would supply a small order for two runners in HDPE ?

 

(Edited for fat fingers)

Edited April 5, 2011 by Graham!

[PaulD]

Recommended by my boat builder and it works really well.

 

Hopefully someone will come along and tell you where to get some.

 

Paul

[Guest User]

Thanks, that's encouraging

[PaulD]

Graham,

 

I checked and the correct material is UHMW-PE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene). A popular brand name is TIVAR which is used to line conveyor chutes.

 

Paul

[linwil]

Just done ours (last week)so I don't know if it's going to last. Working fine at the moment though.

I put 2mm thick strip onto steel (using it instead of brass) fixing it with double sided "gel" automotive tape

Got the plastic from Direct plastics online.co.uk Had to buy a 500mm wide sheet to get the length but it only cost about £12, cuts easy with a sharp stanley knife.

Regards

[Guest User]

Just done ours (last week)so I don't know if it's going to last. Working fine at the moment though.

I put 2mm thick strip onto steel (using it instead of brass) fixing it with double sided "gel" automotive tape

Got the plastic from Direct plastics online.co.uk Had to buy a 500mm wide sheet to get the length but it only cost about £12, cuts easy with a sharp stanley knife.

Regards

 

Useful looking link, thanks.

[Robin2]

I used the cover strip from electrical trunking. Works very well and is cheap and easily obtained.

[WotEver]

I have this stuff bookmarked. Someone must have recommended it although I've not tried it myself.

 

Tony

Edited April 4, 2011 by WotEver

[stuart]

I have this stuff bookmarked. Someone must have recommended it although I've not tried it myself.

 

Tony

 

Ah, thats the stuff I used, works fine, just brought a single sheet and cut it up.

[WotEver]

Ah, thats the stuff I used, works fine, just brought a single sheet and cut it up.

Did you buy the 3mm or the 6mm?

 

Tony

[IDS]

Just done ours (last week)so I don't know if it's going to last. Working fine at the moment though.

I put 2mm thick strip onto steel (using it instead of brass) fixing it with double sided "gel" automotive tape

Got the plastic from Direct plastics online.co.uk Had to buy a 500mm wide sheet to get the length but it only cost about £12, cuts easy with a sharp stanley knife.

Regards

 

Just found this thread. I was going to try this material for my hatch renovation, but was put off as Direct Plastics say that UHMWPE and HDPE have poor bonding properties. Can you specify what "gel" adhesive you used, as I don't know what these products are.

 

Thanks

[canaldrifter]

I fitted some plastic angled edging strips about six years ago. Bought them in B&Q. They still work fine, and there is little wear considering how thin they are.

 

Tone

[Guest User]

Just found this thread. I was going to try this material for my hatch renovation, but was put off as Direct Plastics say that UHMWPE and HDPE have poor bonding properties. Can you specify what "gel" adhesive you used, as I don't know what these products are.

 

Thanks

 

The runners I'm looking to replace were drilled through, so I'm planning to do the same for the replacements. As its a sliding roof section I'm working with, the lighter gauge materials suggested by others are not really suited, but 10mm sheet UHMWPE or HDPE look spot on. It's just the price of the UHMWPE that's making me wince. I'm thinking that the HDPE will probably do the job though.

Edited April 5, 2011 by Graham!

[linwil]

Just found this thread. I was going to try this material for my hatch renovation, but was put off as Direct Plastics say that UHMWPE and HDPE have poor bonding properties. Can you specify what "gel" adhesive you used, as I don't know what these products are.

 

Thanks

I bought the tape from "more-than tape" on Ebay.

"DOUBLE SIDED VHB GEL TAPE 12mm x 5mtr STRONG ADHESIVE"

 

As I said in the previous post I only did it last week so I cannot say it has worked, but so far so good.

The adhesive bit that is left after peeling off the backing is about 2mm thick and soft so I am hoping it will "fill" any imperfections/holes in the metal. When you think about the stresses involved in the application it should not have too much stress put on it (I hope)

The job cost aprox. £25 so (when compared to the price of brass) it's not too big a gamble.

Regards

[PaulD]

The runners I'm looking to replace were drilled through, so I'm planning to do the same for the replacements. As its a sliding roof section I'm working with, the lighter gauge materials suggested by others are not really suited, but 10mm sheet UHMWPE or HDPE look spot on. It's just the price of the UHMWPE that's making me wince. I'm thinking that the HDPE will probably do the job though.

 

Graham,

 

Mine are UHMWPE 10mm thick, drilled and fixed with stainless csk screws. Looks like it will last forever.

 

Paul