Has anyone built a lift-out section using Fastrack?

I haven't, but I see no reason it won't work.  As long as you have sufficient accuracy in placement of the lift-out panel, you can simply cut the Fastrack and mate it up with the fixed table.  I suspect that solid track works better for this, but since it worked fine for me with tubular track, no reason to think Fastrack would be any different.  I recommend alignment pins in the lift-out to accurately position it.

I have - 3 feet long by about two wide with four tracks that snap in place of life out for access to a closet door.  I will try to take pictures if I can but it would be a day or so at the earliest before I can get to it. 

Very straightforward to do . . . no different fundamentally than with other track.

What kind of alignment aids do you use Lee?

I'm looking forward to learning how to do this too.  Especially with FasTrack.  Precise alignment/fit is hard for me.

Lee...looking forward to your pictures and the details of your method.  Did you need to cut track or pins?

Rick

If the track is securely anchored down on all sides then you can use alignment dowels on the bridge to align everything. With the bridge in place, drill pilot holes as big as a interference fit with common metal shelving dowels and then remove the bridge, open its holes up slightly and tap in the metal dowels to the base. With some fancy wiring you could make the dowels the electrical contacts too. Also at the risk of stating the obvious, wire accordingly.

I made 2 that have a hinge and swing down rather than lift out. Large door bolt to hold up and alignment has never been a problem. Wires stay connected and very simple to operate.

Jus1more...was that using Fastrack?  Did you cut the track?  Any pictures and more information would be appreciated.

Rick

I use 1/4 inch bolts sticking up at the six locations shown that fit in holes in the panel into which I drove brass tubing just thick enough to cover them.  I mounted the panel initially and mounted the track.

I never had a misalignment from above when I remove and replace.  Looking at the first diagram below, you see the four track sections on the panel (middle) between the top ends of the benchtop from which it removes.  Note the misaligned track shown here.  None of these "misalignments" have ever occured.  The track seems okay this way, every time.

What does occur is that the panel will not align perfectly up and down at every track meeting point, and that it warps slightly.  Each of the six bolts is as show in the second diagram, whcih shows one bolt from the side: I can adjust the two upper bolts to force the up and down fit to be exactly what is needed.  Every time I remove the panel I have to fuss with this. 

Interesting, I guess the key thing to consider here is alignment and a non-warping material for the panel.   I only had one track, and it was never an issue, but I can see it being more complicated with four tracks and a larger panel.

I built a curved lift-out section about three feet long with O-72 FasTrack, and a wooden truss structure underneath for support. It's described in the article, "Build a Removable Floating Truss Bridge", in OGR Oct/Nov 2011 (run 252), pp 67-68.

   Bob A.

Lee,

If I might ask, what are you using for the panel insert and how much warpage are we talking about?

Bob....I recall that article (at least I do now that you have mentioned it).  I'll have to check to see if I saved that issue.  Thanks.

Rick