Pocket Door Hardware

[Rob Price]

Just wanted to see what you experts think about some pocket door hardware. I'm having a hard time finding reviews for any of these.

Background: building an entertainment center out of African Mahogany. The doors will be 38" by 24.25" and 13/16 thick. Rail and Stile construction with 4 panels. I have no idea how heavy they will be.

I've found these: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=923&filter=pocket%20door
Directly from the manufacturer they are about $50 a piece once you ship them.

A local cabinet company recommended these: http://knapeandvogt.com/8080_-_Medium_Duty_Pocket_Door_System_-_With_KV_hinges_and_hinge_bases_for_3_~~_4_~~~~__i nset_door.html?page=details.634 (http://knapeandvogt.com/8080_-_Medium_Duty_Pocket_Door_System_-_With_KV_hinges_and_hinge_bases_for_3_%7E%7E_4_%7E %7E%7E%7E__inset_door.html?page=details.634)

They are both rated for 42" tall doors and 30lbs. The price is about the same. I like the rack and pinion idea, although it is just plastic.

Accuride has a cable tension system for about double the price.

Any thoughts. The cabinets will be 22" deep, I know the doors will stick out, that's okay. I don't mind spending money for good hardware- I don't want these doors leaning or racking. They need to be sturdy and straight.

Thanks.

[Steve Griffin]

Oh, I'm sure there are no opinions on pocket door hardware around here:rolleyes:

I've used them all, and generally like Rack in Pinion style, especially KV 4x4, the best.

Having said that, I also like the KV 8080's you link too. In fact, I just ordered a pair for a project 20 minutes ago. They are great value, and the follower strip method works well for small/medium sized doors. But for doors as big and heavy as yours, KV 4x4 would by my call.

I've only had a limited exposure to the cable style. My memory of them is in black and white, involves 3 Stooges music and a tangled mess. But who knows--maybe once you get them figured out they are the best of all....

-Steve

[Karl Brogger]

The Accuride cable system is a serious pain in the rear. Even after doing probably a hundred of them I still like the rack and pinion style.

On the other hand, I do my hardest to never sell pocket doors to customers. Why? Its an unnecessary complication, and I don't fully trust the capability of any of it to last as long as the box it is attached to.

[Rob Price]

for me it is necessary. My AV rack will be in the cabinet. I didn't have any other place to put it (trust me, I tried). I don't want to look at the rack when I'm not using it. My AV receiver needs to breath when in use as it generates a good deal of heat. I'm contemplating some ventilation system with fans and thermal controllers, etc but part of that will be opening the door for ventilation and for remote control access.

The cabinet is right in front of some doors and against the wall, so if I just leave the door all the way open it blocks the doorway. Having a pocket door helps conceal that part of it.

[Rob Price]

PS Karl- love the sig...

[Karl Brogger]

PS Karl- love the sig...

I'm not sure who said it, but I wasn't the first. :D

[Doug Wolf]

I used the following in my entertainment center cabinet and have never had to adjust them in two years, their good as new.

http://knapeandvogt.com/8092_-_Heavy_Duty_Pocket_Door_Slide_-_KV_hinge_base_included_-_Choose_KV_hinge_type.html?page=details.120

Think about hinged doors and they will disappear in the cabinet all the way. Search my past posts for additional info and pictures.

[Steve Griffin]

Those are the KV 4x4 I mentioned earlier that I like. 4 hinges per door (or 6 if a tall door). -Steve