Replies

1. 
   WillGeorge | Jan 12, 2009 02:24pm | #1

   I have no idea but my first thought was they are probably mounted as sliding Shoji panels or doors are. The sliding frame/door have grooves that fit into rails at the top and bottom. For removal the door is lifted up a bit to clear the bottom rail and lifted out. I would think there are many ways you could do this. Even long tenons and mortises.

   If you look closely at the following you can see the bottom rail or maybe a groove? Hard for me to tell. Either way would work but a groove would collect dirt and a rail would get banged up. I would say a groove would look better as part of the cabinet rather than a rail sticking up.

   http://www.greenteadesign.com/reproductions/kitchen/san-shaku-mizuya.html

   One thing that came to mind is if you have removable carved/ fancy panels or doors is where do you put them when removed? I would suggest as part of the design that you have a door (or more) that opens and you can slide the panels into for storage. It should have rails to guide and separate the panels during storage.

   Just my thoughts though. No expert on Japanese design. In fact no expert on anything...

   
   

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   Edited 1/12/2009 6:31 am by WillGeorge

1. 
   SteveCJ | Jan 12, 2009 06:31pm | #2

   Thanks WillGeorge.  I was thinking along the same lines.  However the problem that I have is that the doors, in all the pictures that I've seen, are almost tight to the frame top and bottom, so that it is not possible to lift the door to release the bottom.  One method I have thought of is to have a fixed spline running in a groove at the bottom, and a loose spline in the top.  The groove in the top of the frame would be the full depth of the spline, but the groove in the top of the door would be only half as deep with stops at each end to trap the spline. To install the door you would have to bury the spline in the upper groove, install the door into the lower groove and then allow the upper spline to drop down into the stopped groove in the top of the door.  To remove the door there would have to be some way to raise the loose spline from the inside of the cabinet.  Or else turn the cabinet upside down and let gravity take care of it!  I think that this would work but I would prefer to use what ever method was used originally.  What do you think?

    

   SteveCJ

1. 
   WillGeorge | Jan 13, 2009 02:40am | #3

   so that it is not possible to lift the door to release the bottom. ..

   I am not sure I understand what you said. Not you, me I would assume.

   Unless the frame members are VERY thin in height I see no reason why the door/panel could not be removed with fixed rails top and bottom. The bottom panel groove and rail would be sized to it's mate for allowing the panel to slide. The groove and rail in the top door/panel would have additional recess/depth to allow the panel to be 'raised up' into the top rail. The panel is then lifted out at an angle at the bottom. Make sense?You could also spring load the top rail so it can be raised into the top frame as the door is pushed up but is much more complicated to make and extra parts that may fail over time.

   As a side note. If I may I suggest? Sliding wood wears! Especially in something that has every day use. I would make the rails removable so that they can be replaced in a few years and fitted to the door/panel groove wear. Maybe overkill but worth looking into.

   As far as choosing the method to remove the door/panel.... This can be mocked up with a 'scrap wood' frame and grooved ply/mdf panel. Hell, even cardboard, scrap wood, and hot melt glue would work.

   Just me though.

   EDIT:

   Just something to look at if you have time.

   http://www.greenteadesign.com/kitchen-cabinets/kitchen-equipped-video.html

   As you will see if you search the Mizuya style is 'free form' (in my opinion) that is changed to fit it's usage and space available.

   Yes it has a basic look but hardly anything 'cast in stone'. I would say if it looks nice to you and 'works' for the user. It is correct, Period!

   Edited 1/12/2009 6:57 pm by WillGeorge

2. 
   oldusty | Jan 13, 2009 06:41am | #5

     You could just make the top track screw in after the sliders are in ,, to allow the look you want .

                  dusty

2. 
   padauker | Jan 13, 2009 06:07am | #4

   Check out Sliding Doors for Furniture in issue 172.