Replies

1. 
   Steinmetz | Jan 13, 2004 07:47am | #1

   jt, If you intend to 'abut' the two panes of mirror at the center to eliminate the wood separator, (Mullion)  there are available chromed sheet metal joints in cross section shaped like the letter H for that purpose.

   Glaziers use them a lot. If, on the other hand,you prefer no separator, fit the two panes loosely in the rabbeted frame and apply 100% clear silicone caulking(GE) in the center gap.

   Push the two panes together to squeeze excess caulk. Put just a few 'dots'of silicone at the inside corners let dry few hours. Any squeeze out can now be sliced off the surface with a sharp razor blade.

   You could lightly bevel the glass at the center, (Before joining) if you sand the vertical edges with silicon carbide wet or dry sand paper wrapped around a block of hard wood. Wet the paper to avoid heat built-up.   Stein

   
   

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   Edited 1/12/2004 11:51:48 PM ET by steinmetz

1. 
   jtandrews | Jan 13, 2004 03:37pm | #4

   I think you are making a suggestion to put two mirrors on one door- that's not what I'm after.

   What I hope to do is to make two swinging doors that, when closed, show only mirror in the center (or panel) area.  Picture two doors with rails and stiles three sides- the top, bottom, and hinged edge.

   I like your idea of silicone.  Since I have to back the mirror anyway, I could build the door with three sides and a thin back leaving a groove for the mirror to slide into later.  Then when the glue has cured, I would slide the mirror in and hold it in place with some silicone.

   Perhaps that would work?

   Jeff

1. 
   jackplane | Jan 13, 2004 07:09pm | #5

   I'd drop the idea of using frame-and-panel doors. Use glass door hinges on the mirrors,with no wood,and use spring loaded catches to keep them in place.

1. 
   YesMaam27577 | Jan 13, 2004 09:09pm | #6

   Ditto what JackPlane said. And you can get the hardware from Rockler.com.

   Vast projects should not be founded on half vast ideas.

1. 
   Elcoholic | Jan 13, 2004 09:46pm | #7

   I'd use a 1/4"cherry plywood substrate to make a mirror and ply sandwich using silicone.  I'd edge the ply with solid cherry along the show edge with a rabbeted strip as wide as the stiles to mimic a complete F&P look when the doors are open.  The real rails and styles would be grooved to accpt the mirror sandwich and be glued to the ply.  The swelling and shrinkage would work the perimeter but not the sandwich.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

2. 
   UncleDunc | Jan 13, 2004 09:46am | #2

   If I'm reading it right, since you mention two doors that add up to wider than the cabinet, you're talking about sliding doors. Am I reading it right?

   I think you can design a door with the glass glued to the wood and not have to worry much about seasonal movement. The shrinkage in length is negligable, and if you glue the glass into a narrow groove or rabbet, the shrinkage across the width of the glue joint will also be negligible. Your choice of wood also affects how much shrinkage you'll see.

1. 
   jtandrews | Jan 13, 2004 03:31pm | #3

   The doors are not sliding- I intend to have two swinging doors.  I have them slightly oversized to hide some of the carcass. 

   All I am really looking for are two doors that meet in the middle with only the mirrored panel meeting.  Picture a panel door with rails and stiles on only the top, bottom, and the hinged side.  They will be built with cherry.

   Jeff

3. 
   Andrew | Jan 14, 2004 05:14am | #8

   You could run a stile behind the mirror on the insides, and notch the top and the bottom of the cabinet to allow the doors to close fully. Just thinking out loud here, as that probably wouldn't be too aesthetically pleasing.

   Another idea would be to glue the mirror to a plywood backer, and then rabbet the backs of the rails and stiles to fit over the mirror, which would remove any stress from their joints, making them purely aesthetic.

   IMO I think that while it's an interesting idea, it would be very difficult to pull off because no matter how you build the door you will be left with a small gap where the two doors meet that would look kinda funny.

   hope this helps

   Andrew