Traverser

[harper]

Does anyone have some useful and constructive tips to make a traverser?
I know about using kitchen draw runners and have done some research online.
Thank you.

[Ditape]

Use thick Ply for the bed to avoid warping and paint both sides to seal it.

[PLD]

First and foremost, solid foundations that won't react to temperature or humidity variations. Use good quality plywood (at least 5-ply) for both the supporting base and the sliding deck.

With regard to the runners - may sound obvious but use all the same type - if the sliding deck is up to 4ft long, one at each end 1-2 inch in from the ends, and longer then add a third in the centre to avoid sagging. If you can get the type of runners that slide in both directions from the 'closed' position, they are preferable to lessen the amount of any sagging when slid out the extremes.

For smooth running it is critical that the runners are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the deck. On Lockwood Street the runners are screwed solidly to the sliding deck but bolted to the base which allows small adjustments if necessary.

If you have multiple tracks on the approach, lay the approach tracks first, before laying the tracks on the deck so you can use the approach tracks as a template to get the spacing consistent.