Reader Project: Secret Doors, Part II
By Sean O'Hara
A few months back reader Beano-t gave us a glimpse of his secret door project. This weekend it looks like he finished it. Here’s a look and a few words from Mr. Beano, running down the final steps of the project now that it’s trimmed and painted.
I incorporated a hidden magnetic latch. By embedding the magnet in a book or object I will keep on the shelf, the door will release when the object is moved to the correct location.
I used super-soft heavy-duty casters for support just in case of weight issues, keeping in mind i did not want to mark the floor in any way. Most of the weight is still on the heavy hinges.
Although I left the hinges visible (the hidden hinges I wanted to buy would’ve more than doubled my cost on this project), unless you are looking for them they are usually overlooked.
Totally fun and rewarding project.
Well, Beano, there’ll always be naysayers but this turned out great in our eyes. Not only did you manage to come in on a budget that you were obviously watching closely, but the trim work and caster idea look sweet. We also see what you mean about the door covering the hinges most of the time. Fun and rewarding indeed!
Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]
March 4th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
My compliments!
March 4th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Nice, you should build a safe room inside this space.
F.
March 5th, 2009 at 2:14 am
Great! I really liked this project from the beginning!
March 5th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Thanks!
I have been half-joking that it is our new safe room.
That magnetic latch idea and other details came from your ideas/comments the first time around, so thanks everyone.
March 5th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Very Cool!
March 5th, 2009 at 10:27 am
I’m curious what hinges you originally intended to use?
March 5th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Check out this site i found for “hidden door” hinges:
http://www.hardwaresource.com/
or
http://www.hardwaresource.com/Store_ViewCatLevel3.asp?Cat=599&OrderID=
March 6th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
I’m curious, since it seems to be a bookshelf, are the shelves angled or adjusted to prevent books from falling off when the door is opened/closed?
March 6th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
cardbross:
actually I left room to add a 1/4 in piece of trim to shelves thinking that i might need a lip to catch things but the reality is this thing opens more like a bank vault than a screen door. the result is that it does not move fast enough to send things flying. My better half has books and various items on it now and nothing has moved yet.