Replies

1. 
   ErnieConover | Mar 19, 2006 03:07pm | #1

   I am not sure you have to bump out the center section. Proper planing could allow doors to swing 120 or more degrees and not be intrusive. Hinges for such considerations are readily available. Also you might explore the European hardware manufacturers who make hardware for doors to slide into the carcase and be concealed. Explore what is available at his link: http://www.hettichamerica.com/hus/GrantDownlaod.htm, which is Hettich.

   In anything I build I try to avoid the "you bought it at the local furniture store" look and also avoid most commercial hardware which is quite expensive. I would probably elect to do a bump out and radius said bump. I would then mill a track for a tambour doors which could slide to either side and take up very little space. Tambours can be purchased as a stock item but are easily made by gluing strips you mill in a router table to a piece of heavy duck canvas. Send me a photo when it is done, or if you want to forward your drawing I will take a look at it.

   Regards,
   Ernie Conover

2. 
   ErnieConover | Mar 22, 2006 03:09pm | #2

   Attached are a couple of photos of a built in entertainment center I built many years ago. It has a horizontal (rather than vertical)tambour door. The first photo shows the overall effect and the second shows the mechanism of the tambour slide. I built the slid out of 8/4 poplar and milled the track with a big router fitted with a 1/2" bit and a guide bushing.

   Regards,
   Ernie Conover

   
1. 
   Ximro_ne | Apr 05, 2006 09:13am | #3

   Mr. C.,
   That's a pretty interesting idea on your cabinet.
   I like how it extends from the base cabinet.
   I am trying to stay in a simple style that I can attack, being a beginner. I haven't found hinges that fold back any better than some Blum 270 hinges I can pick up anywhere. As far as bumping out my center, I am beginning to believe it doesn't buy me as much as I originally thought as the doors would overhang the sides anyway. So, it may be as simple as some hinges that would allow me to remove the doors if/when I want.
   I did see an entertainment center in a recent mag where the guy built a base, built carcasses to set on top of it, and then a top. All are bolted together. I see the advantages but it sure seems to increase the wood needs and isn't one complete cabinet where I can have an open interior.
   I attached a pic of where I stand today. I have that center section with frosted glass and I hope to put a display behind there that displays caller id, weather reports, etc.

   
1. 
   ErnieConover | Apr 05, 2006 03:07pm | #4

   I really like the design and agree a bump out will buy you very little. You need to look further in the European hardware catalogues as there is hardware that allows the doors to store at each side of the cabinet opening. In other words you open the door then it slides into the cabinet at each side. I do not think a tambour door will go with the look you are trying to achieve but am attaching a couple of photos I did in a quick and dirt built in in my house. With best regards,
   Ernie Conover

   
1. 
   Ximro_ne | Apr 05, 2006 04:05pm | #5

   Thanks for your input. I think I will do some googling on the hinges issue. I like your thoughts here as I think it could provide the benefit but keep me within this design. I created this design for a couple of reasons; it stays within our kitchen cabinet style, it's clean and fits the space, and more importantly it keeps the design as simple as possible and hopefully at a a level I can deal with.