Replacement Greenhouse Door wheel runner

[Tommy munn]

Hi
I'm trying to help my dad find a missing greenhouse door wheel like the one in the photo, he's very old and loves his greenhouse and we can't shut the door. All I know is its very old and has no make markings and I've spent hours searching for a second runner like in the photo. It's about 8mm and pops into the top of the door, wheel is approximately 18mm diameter.
Can anyone help please. Thanks

 

[Becky]

Welcome to the forum

Have you tried ebay? If you can't find a replacement online then you could always consider getting one 3D printed.

 

[Ian]

I think your best bet may be to see if you know anyone with a workshop and see if they can create a replacement for you. It doesn't look like it would be too hard to make something compatible, with the right tools. A matching wheel can likely be found easily enough, but the fixing is going to be the bit that needs a little bit of fabrication.

edit: Just to check, is it just the wheel you need - or is the full runner missing?

 

[Tjohn]

Maybe Colin can help?

 

[DirtMechanic]

You may want some dimensions off the part, but there are websites like this one:

http://www.allaboutdoors.com/Products/Nylon-Single-Roller-Assemblies-Misc

Also it reminds me of a sliding closet door or patio door, so those parts may work as replacement as well.

 

[MaryMary]

Also it reminds me of a sliding closet door

I was thinking that, too. It reminds me of the sliding partition in an RV to close the front van part off from the back living area!



@Colin? Any ideas on finding a part?

 

[Colin]

Hi,

A bit of a dilemma Tommy and I can understand your problem in finding a direct replacement part; DirtMechanic has kindly offered a number of solutions but unfortunately not a proper match.

Many thanks for the plug Tjohn and Mary; much appreciated. I notice you are here in the UK Tommy; are you near Huddersfield by any chance because we could get in touch; I've got offcuts of plastic and nylon but I'd need the actual part to copy and I can possibly help.

I like to keep things simple so how about a pair of these that possibly could be grafted on with a little bit of work and a drill;

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Greenhou...762009?hash=item19ded63299:g:hykAAMXQLw1R1Xx9

These are cheap enough to play around with so little would be lost if they couldn't be made to fit but I like their simplicity. It might be easier to use a pair of non standard wheels than to try to obtain an original; a pair of these could be simply screwed to either the back or front of the door?

It's possible there will be a manufacturers nameplate on the actual greenhouse?

Let's try to get your dad sorted with his greenhouse.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[Silentrunning]

Colin, if it is too much work to remake a duplicate I would suggest he do away with the nylon altogether and retro fit a stainless hinge. That looks like a good quality unit and well worth the investment.

 

[MaryMary]

Many thanks for the plug Tjohn and Mary; much appreciated. I notice you are here in the UK Tommy; are you near Huddersfield by any chance because we could get in touch; I've got offcuts of plastic and nylon but I'd need the actual part to copy and I can possibly help........(snip)........

Let's try to get your dad sorted with his greenhouse.

Colin, you are my new hero!! I must warn you that I am fickle, and easily impressed. (Shh, don't let Ian know, I warned him I was fickle, but I don't want to hurt his feelings! .)

It was my thought that you might have a good idea of how to fix it, or where the part could be obtained - not that you would volunteer to help!! .... You are such a nice man... As much as you speak glowingly of Bron...you should know that she's a lucky woman, too!



(Ian, if you're reading this, I am still most impressed you found the title of the book!!! Edited to add - - AND figured out how the get # of replies and last post date on Similar Threads!! I almost forgot about that! !!)

 

[Colin]

Hi,

Excellent idea Silentrunning in suggesting converting the door to side hung using hinges; would the wind though be likely to damage the door if allowed to slam shut? I replaced our up and over garage door with side hung garage doors I made years ago and I have to be very careful due to the prevailing breeze/wind coming up the valley but I do prefer these side hung doors because I can nip in and out of the garage without having to throw the up and over door every time I wanted to gain access.

You are so kind Mary; thank you. Such a repair is a reasonably simple task for me having machinery and tools to hand; I often make new parts in less time than buying the parts and at a lot less cost. As an apprentice I was forcibly informed a fitter fits whereas an engineer makes and fits there being a world of difference between the two; I was an apprentice mechanical engineer so I'm trained to make things from scratch and I still enjoy such challenges; the downside is the amount of time involved especially since it's difficult to get off my backside when it's a day like today with the usual dire weather. If I could save all the Thank You's I've been given over the years for favours I've done I'd be rich but then a favour is just that and I never ever charge.

Please don't tell anyone Mary that I do favours or I'll not have a spare minute?

Right; I'm heading into the workshop; will I be blasted by rain; hail or snow; we've so far had the lot this morning and now the sun is shining. I feel a bit of welding coming on.

Home made garage doors shown below with wired safety glass; the balcony is an extension of the decking;; the steelwork; woodwork and all painting I did a couple of years ago taking months as I did my best to work around constant bad weather but persistence pays off.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[MaryMary]

Please don't tell anyone Mary that I do favours or I'll not have a spare minute?

Your secret is safe with me!!