My wife wants to do some changes in our master bedroom while she is off this summer which means that I have to put aside some other things and change gears in the shop. This should be fun (to an extent) as I will be building a new head board for our queen bed as well as a new door that will go between the master bedroom and the master bath (we have no door currently as it was designed that way). What my wife wants is a top mount sliding door as opposed to putting in a standard pre-hung 6 panel which would match the existing doors in our home. I like the idea so making the door is no problem. The problem is the overhead sliding hardware. 

This is a photo of what she is thinking. I would do the door in a bit different style, but the set up is like what we have in our bedroom.

We really like the overhead  "Barn Door" style hardware, but it is really pricey at about $350-$400 for the rail and other hardware to fit our door. OUCH!!! 

So I am wondering if anyone might have some other more affordable source that I have not been able to find or if someone might happen to have some old barn door hardware sitting around your property that you might like to get rid of? I need 6' worth of rail which I can buy locally, so what I really need is the wheel/door mounting hardware. I would be happy to pay for the items plus shipping. 

If I can't track these down, my "Plan B" is a different type which I can get for about $120 through Home Depot (which is cheaper than going directly to the vendor) which will work fine, but I would have to build a valance to cover it which would be ok, but more contemporary and we really like the "Barn" style look better. Here are a couple of photos from the manufacturer's website using the other type that I am looking at. The first photo is just the standard hardware. The other two have valances built over/around them by the home owners.

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Allen Worsham
Corona, CA

allenworsham@earthlink.net

http://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com

'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee

Hafle for modern high end stuff

http://www.hafele.com/us/products/sliding-folding-french-door-pocket-door-hardware-barn-door-hardware.asp

If I wanted what you have in the pic at the top I'd just make it.

Use V groove bearings for a quiet smooth glide.  They are cheap between 10 and 14 dollars a pop

The rest from iron strapping and  the rail from a length of angle iron.

 You can make  steel black with one of those rust reformer products from the BORG, not the paint kind though.

I did it to some really ancient strap hinges, came out great.

Or you can just make it black with gunsmithing products  from Midway

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/129903/blue-wonder-gun-black-cold-black-2-oz-kit

http://www.cshardware.com/rolling-door/rolling-barn-door-hardware.asp

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Allen

Not sure of the cost, but ... what about hardware for a library ladder ? I wold think it could be adapted for a sliding door since it slides a vertical ladder along the rail. Just a thought.

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

Thanks for the input guys as it is appreciated.

I checked out the links and they are all running around the $400 range for the kits. I also checked out the library ladder route and they are even more expensive. I am not a metal guy so making it is not an option for me.

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Allen Worsham
Corona, CA

allenworsham@earthlink.net

http://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com

'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee

This may sound like an ad for your local ACE Hardware, but several years ago one of the ranchers up here needed a set for a new barn door.  It's in the warehouse and they could order it for you. Nothing fancy, but knowing you it could be "modified" to work. Price wasn't too bad either.

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Harry Brink
Bulldog Woodworking
Montana

See if there is a Tractor Supply in your area. They would most likely carry them.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

I pulled up the Tractor Supply website and I can get the hardware through their store in Bakersfield, CA all in galvanized. But when you add up all the pieces that I would need it would be close to $300. Also the nearest store to me in Bakersfield, CA is just under 200 miles with a 4 hour drive through Los Angeles traffic. So it looks like I will be going with "Plan B" which is fine with me and I can special order the hardware through my local Home Depot

John Moody said:

See if there is a Tractor Supply in your area. They would most likely carry them.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Allen,

Let me look around, I may have the hardware you're looking for.

Our old garage had the sliding/folding doors on it with the rail etc.

I'm not sure if it's still here, I've been scrapping out metal.

It may take me a few days, as we're being caretakers for the MIL, she just went through hip replacement surgery.

 

Larry

Old Woodworking Machinery Forum Host

Yea, you would be better off that way. We have one here in town and wasn't sure how close you had one. I didn't add all of the parts up so I wasn't sure if it was any cheaper or not.

Allen Worsham said:

I pulled up the Tractor Supply website and I can get the hardware through their store in Bakersfield, CA all in galvanized. But when you add up all the pieces that I would need it would be close to $300. Also the nearest store to me in Bakersfield, CA is just under 200 miles with a 4 hour drive through Los Angeles traffic. So it looks like I will be going with "Plan B" which is fine with me and I can special order the hardware through my local Home Depot

John Moody said:

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Allen Worsham
Corona, CA

allenworsham@earthlink.net

http://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com

'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee

Larry,

Thanks for the offer as it is appreciated, but don't put yourself out on my account as you have enough on your plate with the "MIL Watch" which is the priority. I got some time before I get to the bathroom door as I have to deal with the bed first and hammer out some other design details. Tami and I will be heading out to a place tomorrow to look at some reclaimed lumber  which we might use in the mix for the headboard and door as well as some trim. I have learned over the years to get the major design details in order before I start up the table saw and add to my scrap wood pile.

Larry Buskirk said:

Allen,

Let me look around, I may have the hardware you're looking for.

Our old garage had the sliding/folding doors on it with the rail etc.

I'm not sure if it's still here, I've been scrapping out metal.

It may take me a few days, as we're being caretakers for the MIL, she just went through hip replacement surgery.

 

Larry

Old Woodworking Machinery Forum Host

Well Said!

  "I have learned over the years to get the major design details in order before I start up the table saw and add to my scrap wood pile."

Allen Worsham said:

Larry,

Thanks for the offer as it is appreciated, but don't put yourself out on my account as you have enough on your plate with the "MIL Watch" which is the priority. I got some time before I get to the bathroom door as I have to deal with the bed first and hammer out some other design details. Tami and I will be heading out to a place tomorrow to look at some reclaimed lumber  which we might use in the mix for the headboard and door as well as some trim. I have learned over the years to get the major design details in order before I start up the table saw and add to my scrap wood pile.

Larry Buskirk said:

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Allen Worsham
Corona, CA

allenworsham@earthlink.net

http://www.awcreationsandwoodcrafts.com

'Graze in every man's field, but always give your own milk' J. Vernon McGee