I’m designing a music cabinet (unfortunately the attachment function doesn’t work so I can’t provide an illustration). It has various compartments/drawers with a top opening lid for a Record compartment, right, ditto Record Player compartment, centre, plus at the left one compartment for a Tuner/Amplifier and, in a separate compartment below that, a CD Player. For these I want to create 2 hinged recessable front flaps, one above the other, each 446 x 180 x 20mm opening first upward then recessing horizontally back into the cabinet, out of the way.
I’m struggling to find / design a suitable flipper (pocket) hinge for these two top left compartments. Those commercially available that I have found so far, while not too expensive (about $30), are too long for the 182mm ‘high’ (deep) flap. Instead, I found a tip in a previous FW forum post (“Flipper Doors” Dec. 13, 2011, thanks Ray), which better describes an idea I also originally planned, just as an upward-opening flap in my case, not a side-opening door.
So, to my question: how can I attach the 6mm diameter brass dowel pins to the top of the flap and then insert the flap into matching 6mm wide stopped grooves in the sides of the cabinet? The dowels will protrude by, say 10mm on each side of the 446mm wide flap, which will prevent me from inserting it into the 448mm wide compartment, as the grooves are stopped to the front. (The internal cabinet depth i.e. 338mm is no problem).
To add to the fun, the flap should ideally be removable in case a repair might ever be needed. I’m sure (I hope!) the solution must be simple, I just can’t get my head round it. Maybe a vertical 10x6mm dado to each side, say 190mm back, linking to the horizontal grooves? Any suggestions will be very welcome.
Pete
Replies
Spring load one or both of the dowels. Think of it as a mini barrel bolt fence catch with a spring behind it.
Thanks mj. I did think of that but haven't done anything like it before and so wasn't sure if it was a good idea or not. Good to hear your confirmation. So essentially a strongish <6mm dia. spring slotted into the 6mm dia. dowel hole, drilled deeper, with a washer at each end, preferably on both sides of the flap?
Pete
You might find ideas or hardware here:
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/spring-catches/
This is sort of what I had in mind:
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/spring-catches/l-handle-retractable-spring-plungers-7/
Take a look at the barrister book case door hardware that Rockler (I think) sells. It might be directly applicable for your purpose. Or you might be able to get some ideas from the mechanism. They are pretty simple. Also, find some place that sells use furniture and see if they have any barrister shelves to look at.
Thanks bilyo. I've checked Rockler among others. Unfortunately even the smallest commercially available lift/slide fittings I've found so far are too long for the free flap height of approx. 6". But thanks for your suggestions, I'll keep checking.