Ideas for a cabinet door in a tight spot

[masraum]

I made a built in shelf that we used to house DVDs. I made it of 1"x8" pine boards with a white oak/pickling type of stain. It looks good, but the wife wants a door on it now, and I must admit that if I can put a decent door on it, it would look better. The problem is that it's in the corner, and to have the door open towards the wall, would mean putting the hinges on the side that's practically up against the wall.

Does anyone know of a good way to put a door on something that has very low clearance? I'm sure there's got to be something out there to do this or a way, but I haven't thought of it or found it.

Here's a pretty rudimentary drawing that I just did in paint since I don't have any pics handy.

There is a top view and a front view. I would like to have the hinge on the right hand side so the door opens up to to the wall. The boards are 3/4" and there's maybe 1/16-1/8" of space between the right hand board and the wall. The left hand side would be easier, but then the door would block access to the shelving from the room and one part of the hearth about the thickness of a normal brick is also very low clearance (probably about the same as the wall on the other side).

I guess I should have anticipated this request when I built the thing.

[oldE]

Steve,

Any space for small doors which would swing into the space over the DVDs, rather like a 'slab' garage door?

If you need one large door to swing to the side, there are recessed hinges which will let you do that.

Best
Les

[craigster59]

Wouldn't European hinges work?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Wouldn't European hinges work?

Uh, dunno. It sounds like you think they would, so I'll look into them.

[VincentVega]

You might need to add a ~1.5" frame to mount the hinge but a european/internal hinge should do it.

[1990C4S]

Lee Valley Tools - Important Announcement

Look at the kitchen hinge section.

[Zeke]

Google "zero clearance cabinet hinges"

[1990C4S]

Yea, this:

Lee Valley Tools - Hinge

Or this:

http://www.leevalley.com/US/hardware/page.aspx?p=55467&cat=3,41241,55420

[look 171]

Yeah, European hinges. Use a 90 degree with 3/4" over lay hinge plate. If you want to fit an inset door, then you need 0 degree hinges. If y our cabinet is a little out of square, then you have a bit of fitting to do with the inset I like Blum or Grass hinges. they actually lift out a little as you open the door so it will clear the edge of the cabinet. Youwill need a drill press to drill a 35mm cup or hole for the hinge. It will be fine. Clearance is never a problem with those types of hinges. We do it in our shop all the time. You can use a surface mount hinge from places like Home Depot. That should worl OK.

[Red88Carrera]

Or just use regular butt hinges(cheap) and mount the hinges to the wall instead of the shelving unit.

[look 171]

Damn Milt, you are fast with pic and everything.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Google "zero clearance cabinet hinges"

The first example, full overlay, looks like exactly what I need.

Originally Posted by look 171

Yeah, European hinges. Use a 90 degree with 3/4" over lay hinge plate. If y our cabinet is a little out of square, then you have a bit of fitting to do with the inset I like Blum or Grass hinges. they actually lift out a little as you open the door so it will clear the edge of the cabinet. Youwill need a drill press to drill a 35mm cup or hole for the hinge. It will be fine. Clearance is never a problem with those types of hinges. We do it in our shop all the time.

OK, this sounds perfect. I do have a drill press. Does the hole/cup go in the door or the cabinet? <-- Nevermind, figured that out, in the door. I think I'll end up making 2 doors instead of 1 large door. These look perfect. I thought that I had heard of something like this before, but had apparently googled the wrong thing. Hopefully, the shelving is square, but since it's built into a house that's been sitting around since 1967, it seems pretty unlikely. I should be able to manage though.

Originally Posted by Red88Carrera

Or just use regular butt hinges(cheap) and mount the hinges to the wall instead of the shelving unit.

Thanks, but I don't think the missus would go for the doors being attached to the wall.

[masraum]

My next question was going to be if I was "face frame" or "frameless" but I've figured that out too. Thanks everyone for the help.

[look 171]

The door. Drill it about 2 mm from the edge of the door. The edge of the cup must be about 2mm from the edge of the door.

Try this. You might have a face frame of some type on there I assume. BlumŽ 120° Overlay Clip Top 3-Way Face Frame Hinges - Rockler Woodworking Tools

[look 171]

Use the ones in the link or a different brand. They will work with or without a face fame. The plate set back are predetermine so it is the easiest to install unless you llike to measure on all fours, or have a hinge insertion machine.

[masraum]

One more question, if the door is about 12" wide and just under 8' tall, how many hinges should I use? I would think that 2 might do, but it seems like 3 or 4 would be better. Now I guess I need to think about if I want to make the doors relatively simple (but probably heavy) or more complex and lighter.

[look 171]

4-5 hinges just to be safe. I like 5 but 4 will do just fine. Are they solid or are they plywood or MDF? The heavier they are , the more hinges you will need. Can you split them up to reduce warpage on such long doors. If its imported plywood, I will for sure split them up. If solid or panel door, an additional center rail will help unless dictate by design.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by look 171

4-5 hinges just to be safe. I like 5 but 4 will do just fine. Are they solid or are they plywood or MDF? The heavier they are , the more hinges you will need. Can you split them up to reduce warpage on such long doors. If its imported plywood, I will for sure split them up. If solid or panel door, an additional center rail will help unless dictate by design.

Well, I would probably either use another pine plank if I can find the appropriate quality and width, or, I could make a door using a frame and thin plywood insert.

I was also considering splitting them up into 2 or 3 doors. I'm not sure if the missus would go for that or not.

3/4" plywood would weigh a TON at that size.

Wow, 90° overlay hinges aren't common, but that's definitely what I need. I did find

Mini BlumŽ 26mm 90° Clip-On Frameless Overlay Hinges.

I've got more searching to do at a later time when I'm home instead of when I'm supposed to be working.

[look 171]

120 degree would be fine but it will bang if you are not careful. Blum does not make a common 90 degree hinge. Try Salice. They are italian. I know they use to make one because I have use them before. I will get back to your door question later. I must go now my client just pulled up.

[masraum]

Thanks. It looks like blum makes a 26mm hinge that would work, but I'll check Salice too.