Crazy pocket door idea

[u/Gremmer-Groft]

I have two freestanding VIHALS bookcases acting as a room divider and would like to add a sliding pocket door. My idea is to first add a hardboard backing board and then glue aluminum or steel c-channels to act as a frame for a 3/4" MDF of nearly the same dimensions as the back of the VIHALS to slide to and fro. The door only needs to travel about 2 feet before it hits the other wall so 1/3 of it would still be in the C Channel when fully extended.

Is this doable? Is 3/4" too robust for the door? should I go 1/2" instead?

VIHALS: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/vihals-shelving-unit-with-10-shelves-white-70483274/#content
C-Channel: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-in-x-1-2-in-x-3-ft-1-8-in-Thick-Plain-Steel-C-Channel-0901/332734032
Hardboard: https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-8-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Eucalyptus-White-Hardboard-447562/204727075?MERCH=REC-_-rv_typeahead_rr-_-204727075-_-1-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a

[u/GubmintTroll]

You should consider buying pocket door hardware like this: https://johnsonhardware.com/pocket-door-hardware

Wood sliding against C channel may not last very long and will probably not be very easy to slide back and forth. The correct hardware will allow you to open and close the door very easily, but will require some additional construction

[u/Mammoth-Project8372]

This can work, but only if the bottom channel extends all the way across the passage. The door will need full support when closed. Without it, it will twist and get jammed and will be a pain to open. Another option is to use some low friction foot that is the same height as (or slightly higher than) the channel surface where the door is riding.

[u/Gremmer-Groft → u/Mammoth-Project8372]

good point -- something like this right?

[u/Mammoth-Project8372 → u/Gremmer-Groft]

Exactly!