How to build an inexpensive track system for Accentra insert?

[Old Smokey]

Hello pellet people,
I need to build an inexpensive track system so that I can pull my Harman Accentra insert out and give it a good cleaning. I've done some searching here and saw some pictures and got some hints but am still not sure how to go about it. I really like the metal ones that people have built but they are out of my price range. I'll also be the first to admit I'm not a very good carpenter, but I can saw some 2x4s and hammer them together. With that said, my only criteria is that it's cheap (really just 2x4s and nails), simple to build, will safely hold it (it's heavy!), and will allow me to access the bottom of the stove so I can clean the distribution motor. The stove is 20'' above the floor, and is 22 1/2'' wide at the bottom. Not sure how long I need to make it so I can pull it entirely out. Can anyone give me some good detailed plans on how to do this? I've seen some sketches but don't completely understand them. I would really appreciate any help, thanks!

 

[Rock Crusher]

This is what I used, cost about $25.00 to make. The flat bar is 1/4"x1-1/2"x 4', qty.2. One spare piece of 2x4, and a couple of pieces 1x4 to make the legs. I used screws and countersunk the screws in the flat bar. It is very strong, easy to use and is easily disassembled for storage.

 

[tsmith]

Very good idea. I have a friend with an Accentra insert who was going to buy Harmans track. I have been telling him to make his own. I hope you don't mind if I share your plans with him.

 

[Rock Crusher]

Absolutely share, others have made rails using uni-strut, or kindorf bar. When using the 1-1/2" wide flat bar like mine, I had to grind the sides down due to weld spatter and weld penetration on the inside of the frame rails. I have since painted my flat bar for rust prevention-plan on having it for quite a while.

 

[Old Smokey]

Thanks Rock Crusher for the info and pictures. Unfortunately I think I have an older model of the Accentra that uses a different track system. Mine just slides along a flat metal rail that has fabric attached to it to make it slide easier. Too bad because I really like the simplicity and cost of your homemade supports. See the pic above and hopefully I can still get some help on how to get this sucker safely out. One other thing that someone mentioned is using a motorcycle lift. It would be more expensive and I'm not sure if it would even reach the 20'' I need to remove it, but it would come in handy for working on my bike. Can someone else help me out with this older style track system? Thanks!

 

[RhodyPelletRook]

Search in the forum and you'll find one from last season and the guy who did it provided a shopping list and construction drawings

 

[smirnov3]

speaking of the Accentra Insert, why is there fiberglass tape on the rails? is that just to make it lower friction so that it's easier to slide out?

If that's the case, I have to say that it's a fail - the tape on one side balled up and was destroyed by the second year of ownership, and the tape on the other side was gone a couple of years after that. And I only take my insert out twice a year for full maintenance.

 

[Old Smokey]

Alright, thanks everyone for the information. Building this frame was a lot easier than I thought and it works great. Other posts said the stove wouldn't slide that good on the wood but it slides really easy. Being able to pull the stove out by ourselves is great and we can really give it a good cleaning. It is also very sturdy and have no worries working underneath it cleaning out the distribution blower. And man did that need a cleaning! The stove really kicks out the heat now and all I needed were a few 2x4's, some nails, miter saw, and tape measure for the measurements. Thanks again!

 

[sante fe]

Old Smokey
Do you have to lift your stove up onto the 2x4s to roll it out.and then lift the back up onto the 2x4s also.
I think I'm going to build your set up. I know my height will be different but do you know what your length and width was, and how many feet of 2x4 you used. Thanks a bunch.

 

[Old Smokey]

Hi Sante fe,
The frame sits about 1/8'' below the stove, so pulling it out was easy since it just dropped that tiny bit. Putting it back in we had to lift it that 1/8'' but it wasn't difficult at all. I think my pics might be misleading since I didn't remove the bottom trim plate, but if that was off you'd see that it lines up as good as it can get.

I think mine was easier since I have the older model Accentra that has a flat base so I had more leeway on my measurements. My two top rails are 40'' long, the two bottom rails are 30'' long. For the width I used four supports at 24 1/2 '' wide. I know your height will be different but my four legs are 17''. For my stove this width worked great since the stove was centered nicely on the 2x4's and we didn't have to worry about it sliding off either side as long as we kept an eye on it.

I only used four 8 foot 2x4s but made sure to make my cuts in the best order so that I didn't waste any. Good luck if you end up doing it, it was a lot easier than I thought, just double check your measurements and you should be good.

 

[NHcpa]

This is mine, kind of awkward, but it works. Was able to get as part of the pkg deal on the stove. A tinge of sarcasm here, but if your replicating, this is what it looks like.

 

[Old Smokey]

Wow that is pretty cool. Sante fe, since I believe you have the new 'roller' type track, you might want to either splurge on something like this or build one like Rock Crusher did since you're measurements will have to be exact and it will need to be perfectly square.

 

[sante fe]

Rock Crusher
Where did you purchase the flat bar from? Is that something Home Depot would have.
Smokey I think your right that would be best for my stove.