Ralph_S Posted September 29, 2010 In a thread on Metroid's excellent four wide VW vans, he has been getting questions about the technique he used to create sliding doors. It's a particularly nice application of an idea I've used many years and that I also keep getting questions about whenever I produce a new vehicle that uses it (which is why I decided to give it its own thread). MetroiD has managed to figure it out, but I'll post the pictures here. The door has two little arms attached to its front, the bottom one with a 1x1 plate that sticks out below and the top one with a 1x1 tile on top. sliding door (3) by Mad physicist, on Flickr The plate slides through an L-shaped groove on the bottom of the van and the tile on top slides through a matching L-shaped groove in the roof. sliding door (2) by Mad physicist, on Flickr To open the door you first slide it out one stud (moving the 1x1 plate and tile along the short arm of the L). sliding door by Mad physicist, on Flickr Then you can slide the door aft. sliding door (1) by Mad physicist, on Flickr It's a little three-dimensional puzzle, but the construction is nothing particularly complicated once you've figured out how to do it! There is no fancy SNOT work. Just tiles and plate. I've been using it for years. The pictures above were of my 6-wide Courier van Courier van (3) by Mad physicist, on Flickr I've also used it on several five-wide vehicles (including a Volkswagen) and this UK police van. Police van (3) by Mad physicist, on Flickr The doors work best when they are fairly small. On larger vehicles it becomes easier to twist the door from its mountings. Still, with a few modifications the idea can be applied to larger doors as well. I used it for my much larger ambulance van as well, where the door gets extra support when open by a ridge (of half a stud wide) along the side of the vehicle. Dutch Ambulance (9) by Mad physicist, on Flickr I've used it on several helicopters as well, including my Sea King. Here I've used a version that pops out half a stud. UH-3H Sea King (13) by Mad physicist, on Flickr Cheers, Ralph Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cecilie Posted September 29, 2010 Thanks for this handy guide I'll definitely try out this technique sometime. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MetroiD Posted September 29, 2010 One particular reason why I didn't want to do the graphic explanation of this was because, at the end of the day, this was your design in this first place. Glad to see you've decided to share it - I must say I'm now looking forward to a wave of sliding door-fitted cars, vans, etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drevim Posted September 29, 2010 I have been thinking of doing an airplane hangar for the plane that came with the Century Skyway (4 wide), but have been stumped on how to create a sliding split door to open. This may be a good starting point for a nice look, but not overly complicated gear/technic style door, since the door will be about 12-14 studs high. Thanks for sharing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Superkalle Posted September 29, 2010 Thanks for sharing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bricked one Posted September 29, 2010 Ohhhh... I see, I see said the old blind man. Thanks for sharing "Ralph_S", I'm going to make vans now! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lightningtiger Posted September 29, 2010 Thanks 'Ralph_S' for this information, now I'm thinking of a sliding door design for some of my upcomming MOC's ! I'm a conformist! ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ralph_S Posted September 30, 2010 Thanks for your comments. they are much appreciated. I have seen many fancy ways of making sliding doors, but I'd like to think that simple ideas are often the best Cheers, Ralph Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhiteFang Posted September 30, 2010 Ralph, thanks for sharing this sliding door design with us. It's great to see such building tips to be shared with the community which helps to benefit and to enhance the vehicle playability. I got to try this one day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Masked Builder Posted September 30, 2010 You're a genius! This is something I've got to try for my Star Wars doors.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
escortmad79 Posted September 30, 2010 Fantastic!! Know exactly what I'm going to use this for! Had a Eureka moment last night whilst in bed. May take a while to do but it'll look amazing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mrlegoninja Posted September 30, 2010 Sweet! I have got to try this... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coupi Posted October 10, 2010 Does the door sit flush to the side when closed? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Soup Nazi Posted October 10, 2010 (edited) I'd like to see a video of this in action. Edited October 10, 2010 by The Soup Nazi Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ralph_S Posted October 17, 2010 (edited) Does the door sit flush to the side when closed? Sorry I didn't reply to this sooner. I didn't see it sooner. Yes it does. Courier van (1) by Mad physicist, on Flickr I'd like to see a video of this in action. Cheers, Ralph Edited March 2, 2011 by Ralph_S Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Yellow Brick Posted October 17, 2010 I might use this technique sometime, you are a genius Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coupi Posted October 18, 2010 Sorry I didn't reply to this sooner. I didn't see it sooner. Yes it does. Courier van (1) by Mad physicist, on Flickr Thank you very much :) You've come up with a great idea there! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ralph_S Posted October 18, 2010 I might use this technique sometime, you are a genius Thanks. I try Thank you very much :) You've come up with a great idea there! Thank you. It would be no fun if it wouldn't be flush when closed. In fact, that really was the whole point. Cheers, Ralph Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ralph_S Posted February 20, 2011 It's been a while since this thread had it's last message, but I have since made a video of the sliding door in action and this seemed the most suitable place to post it. Cheers, Ralph Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LEGO Guy Bri Posted February 21, 2011 Great building technique you developed Ralph_S Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Artifex Posted February 21, 2011 Great technique! Works beautifully. Thanks for the instructions and video! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ralph_S Posted February 22, 2011 You're welcome guys. This sort of thing is best explained with a video. Cheers, Ralph Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikey Posted February 22, 2011 This is a great idea, simple but totally functional. Just the type of thread which should be getting indexed in Advanced Building Techniques Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silverface Posted March 2, 2011 Very nice idea! I definitely have to try this technique! Thanks! Good job! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites