Hi All,
I’m adding a couple of pantry cabinets to my existing kitchen and one cabinet includes accomodations for the microwave. I’d rather it be hidden from view, as ugly as they are, behind a door but since it is accessed so often I want easy access that doesn’t extend into the room. So I’d like it to retract away, either to the sides, or above the microwave. I’ve seen the Accuride flipper door which would probably accommodate this idea but I think it’s pretty damn big as well as ugly. I’m not too crazy about tambour doors either as the existing cabs are cherry and I’d rather not get involved with matching so many cherry strips.
So does anyone have any suggestions for alternatives to the Accuride for a door(s) or panel. Maybe something like a barrister’s bookcase might use, or a brass pin or other device in the side of door to slide within a hardwood channel. Any other home-made arrangement? I guess I’m looking for a nicely thought out, reliable device, that’s not too fussy to install or make so I don’t tax my skills too much as this project has been in the ‘think about it’ stage for too many months and my wife’s infinite patience might be wearing thin. Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated.
Replies
How about gas filled flap stays and a flap door?
When I initially read your reply I thought you were pulling my leg. I guess I frequent the Breaktime Forum too much. So I did a website search and found a single hit for your reply. I don't think that's applicable to getting the door out of the way into a retracted position unless I misunderstand your application. I had a similar thought with just hinging the lid down when accessing the microwave but the cabinet is adjacent a kitchen table in a somewhat cramped kitchen and hinging the lid down would present the possibility of one of the kids slamming into it as would just hinged doors. The retractable was a better thought since at mealtimes it could be moved to a safer position (pathetic that so many meals end up in the microwave). The cabinet also has some restricted depth (only 18-19") which is another reason I'm avoiding the Accuride since I think it's smallest configuration might just barely fit.
I think that the barristers book case system would work as long as you have space for the tracks.FWW had an article some years ago on building them, as yet I havn't managed to turn up the issue.I assume that it is a face frame kitchen!
Thanks for the reply. I don't recall the article. Do you know how far back it may have been? I'd been a subscriber up until a few months ago.
Found it! You owe me big time. Oct 1992 no 96 page51.Even has an anti skew mechanism
Jako
Thanks Jako, I appreciate it. Now I'll have to find the issue.
Joe
The Accuride solution is not a bad one...I've used it a couple of times for entertainment center applications and so long as you have more cabinet depth than door width the door(s) will be out of your way. You need about 1 1/4" on each side (assuming two doors) to accomodate the slide: 3/4" for the door and 1/2" for the hardware.
Barrister bookcase hinges will certainly work but make sure you have adequate clearance over the top of the microwave for ventilation.
Do you know how large or small a reveal around the perimeter of the swinging side of the doors the Accuride will allow? The existing face-frame cabinets have a narrow uniform reveal.
The Accuride mechanism uses a standard European-style cup hinge that can be adjusted in all directions. The hinge used (which is ordered separately from the flipper mechanism) is determined by the type of reveal you want. I use full inset. I'm not sure if this answers your question.
You can also check your local library for a copy of Taunton's "Bookcases" by Niall Barrett. Very detailed instructions on building barrister bookcase and flip-up door.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled