Matt Day
10-25-2010, 11:30 AM
I'm designing a "chest" of sorts for the end of our bed. The top will open to reveal a 6" deep storage area, and I want the bottom portion to have a fold down door, pivoting at the bottom. I think this would be called a "fall-front door". I've attached a picture of the draft.
My first question is the bottom door and what type of hinges I should use. I'm sure there a dozen ways to do it, but I've never done it and would like to see what you all have used and learn from it.
As you can see the chest will have short legs and the pivot will be a few inches off the ground. I'm worried if the door only opens to 90 degrees, that putting weight on the door could damage it. Therefore, I was thinking of using a hinge to open more than 90 degrees so the door actually touches the ground, or having some kind of support so it is strong at 90 degrees. I bet I could use some basic hinges or a piano hinge at the bottom, and some kind of side support, and a simple clasp at the top to hold it closed.
For the top, I was thinking either these since the top will have an overhang:
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21288
I think I'd like a slow close top (though I hear some of them are a bear to install) so the top doesn't slam closed by accident. Any other suggestions?
Thanks
My first question is the bottom door and what type of hinges I should use. I'm sure there a dozen ways to do it, but I've never done it and would like to see what you all have used and learn from it.
As you can see the chest will have short legs and the pivot will be a few inches off the ground. I'm worried if the door only opens to 90 degrees, that putting weight on the door could damage it. Therefore, I was thinking of using a hinge to open more than 90 degrees so the door actually touches the ground, or having some kind of support so it is strong at 90 degrees. I bet I could use some basic hinges or a piano hinge at the bottom, and some kind of side support, and a simple clasp at the top to hold it closed.
For the top, I was thinking either these since the top will have an overhang:
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21288
I think I'd like a slow close top (though I hear some of them are a bear to install) so the top doesn't slam closed by accident. Any other suggestions?
Thanks