Replies

1. 
   ajg1942 | Apr 24, 2022 08:24pm | #1

   The different thickness is required to put the doors into the tracks. The doors are put in after the case is glued up by placing the top spline in the top track first and high enough that the bottom spline clears the bottom track. Then lowering the bottom spline into the bottom track. The face frame covers the gap between the top of the door and the top track.. see the diagram on page 52.

2. 
   Jkatzowitz | Apr 25, 2022 08:05am | #2

   Somewhere along the line, either the info on the original plans or in the OP's description, the runners got reversed. The 3/4" runner should be on top and the 1/2" runner on the bottom. That will allow the panel to be inserted into the top runner to clear the bottom runner and then be lowered into place.

1. 
   mwenger74114 | Apr 25, 2022 08:34am | #3

   That's what I wanted to hear. I understand the concept of the lift and tilt in sliding doors but I've never built one before. It seemed to logically make sense to me that the top runner would be the thicker runner to aid the lift and tilt in of the doors. I was afraid there was some other reason I was missing to put the thick runner on the bottom. I think I'll reverse it and put the thicker runner on top on mine. Both the article and the purchased plans do show the thick runner on the bottom. Thank you for the help.

1. 
   ajg1942 | Apr 25, 2022 02:37pm | #4

   The thinner runner goes on the top. The face frame is 1 5/8" wide. Looking at the diagram on page 52. The thickness of the case is 3/4" and the bottom runner is 3/4" giving 1/8" of the face frame above the bottom runner. So for the top 1 5/8" - 1/8" (face frame projection over door) - 3/4" (case) - 1/2" (runner) leaves a 1/4" gap above the door between the door and runner. the bottom spline project 3/16" from the door and with the door fully inserted in the top runner and against the top runner, this would leave 1/16" clearance to insert the door into the bottom runner.

   Diagram on 52 show the top spline projection is 7/16" which would require the runner groove of 7/16" at a minimum in a 8/16" runner. Is the 7/16" protection correct??. the top spline projection should probably be 6/16" projection running in a 7/16" groove.

   Putting the thicker runner on the top would cause the a portion of 1/4" gap above the door to be visible below the face frame.

   The face frame is used to hide the gap above the doors and the splines.