I’m to build a 9′ long bookcase for a client. 3′ of it needs to be hinged, like a hidden door. From what I know, the best solution is to run a 3/4″ pipe vertical, to act as a hinge, with a ball and socket for the bottom to ride on.
Anybody built one of these? Recommend any hinge hardware? One issue is it will be on carpet, and over rfh… thanks.
Expert since 10 am.
Replies
The January 2007 issue of FHB had an article about hidden doors. I believe they discussed techniques to hinge the door.
Thank you Don. I'll czech it out.Expert since 10 am.
There has also been a couple threads here on it. search hidden doors etc. Gary Katz wrote that article and he helped with mine.
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You might check out Gary Katzs' web site; I know he has gotten into this in the past few years. He even built a something similar at the JLC Live last month.
Maybe this link will help:
http://www.garymkatz.com/TrimTechniques/hidden_pivot_bookcase_install.htm
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thanks Nick, and everyone. It looks like all I need is Rixson hinges, they're made just for this application.Expert since 10 am.
Jack
I have done what your suggesting but instead of a ball and socket I use a thrust bearing. Don't know if thrust bearing is correct term, the tapered bearings like you'd see in your car hub.
The bearings sit in a pocket on the floor and the steal post sits down in that. The weight of the door will keep it there as long as gravity keeps working!
Steal rod goes all the way up and is fixed in the upper part of the cabinet. The door will pivot like a bank vault door.
Here are a few doors done that way.
Doug
Nice work. Whats with all the secret doors? Do you mainly work on haunted mansions?
Do you mainly work on haunted mansions?
Not that I know of! Mainly they're a novelty but I have done several that were the real deal, hiding something that was defiantly not to be seen by the average house guest.
I've only been in two house where the hidden room was actually a safe room, all others with a few exceptions were just for the fun of it.
Doug
Couldnt resist, seeing all your pics made me think of Scooby Doo.
Bela Lugosi had a bookshelf hidden door like that. His was on a piece of 1 1/2" black pipe, and rotated around the center of the cabinet for balance. IIRC, it was about 5 or 6 ft. wide. (For the young 'uns -- He was a movie star, played Dracula in the 1930's).
-- J.S.