Hidden Storage

[Rumpshot]

I know we have discussed this before, but I think this is a different link.

[Greg]

I know we have discussed this before, but I think this is a different link.

I don't recall seeing that before, though we have covered similar subjects. That link was very interesting....

[Precision]

I know we have discussed this before, but I think this is a different link.

I don't recall seeing that before, though we have covered similar subjects. That link was very interesting....

The things I have seen on here in the past were items to purchase. Having a "how to" is way cooler.

[Netpackrat]

I would prefer a design that allowed for some adjustment in location of the hinge points. The design at the article appears to depend entirely on precise location of the hinge mortises to ensure correct geometry. In other words, somebody who needs a how-to in the first place, is not really likely to manage the necessary precision. Additionally, a little bit of side to side adjustment would allow compensation for hinge wear or sagging over time.

[workinwifdakids]

I would prefer a design that allowed for some adjustment in location of the hinge points. The design at the article appears to depend entirely on precise location of the hinge mortises to ensure correct geometry. In other words, somebody who needs a how-to in the first place, is not really likely to manage the necessary precision. Additionally, a little bit of side to side adjustment would allow compensation for hinge wear or sagging over time.

And depending on the skill required, a person might understand some of those words. I can follow directions, but this was a PhD level project, fo sho.

Really neat link, though. I'd like something similar one day.

[Yogimus]

"uranus Holsters... for bikini carry"

[Windy Wilson]

If there's enough wood and the hinges could take ghe bookcase weight, why not use Soss invisible hinges? My dad used thrm on his French doors and they pivoted out from flush with the jamb without requiring part of the door to swing way in.
(I'd post a link but I'm suffing off my nook and haven't figured out how to shade and copy yet )

[Erik]

Why use hinges at all?
I can see the benefit if you need to be able to access it fast, but if the idea is to store something hidden where you dont need to be able to reach it within seconds, maybe an alternative is possible?

My family has an old piece if furniture that has drawers on each side and an open space in the middle. Between the drawers and the open space is a wood panel, about 2-3 inches wide, as a separator. It took me a long time before I realized that this was a hidden space, and even longer to realize how to access it. You remove the third drawer from the top, this reveals a small hole where you can reach into the separated space and push it out an inch or so so you can pull it out. You then have a small box about 8*12*2 inches where you can store valuables. You cant get it by pushing or pulling at the outside, you need to know what drawer to remove and then look in to see the small hole, and then know you need to reach in and push outward. The thing had been in our living room for years before I figured it out.

I could imagine someone finding a hidden space by pushing and pulling to look for hinges, but I cant imagine anyone finding that space without prior knowledge not only that it's there but also how to open it.

[blackeagle603]

Soss hinges work. Friend of mine did really well in manufacturing, sold out to a bigger company and had the money to do his dream house up in Rancho Santa Fe (just a block down from Ray and Joan Kroc).
He showed me his secret door to staircase into a basement room. It is a heavy bookcase but swings nicely on Soss style hinges placed on about 6" centers.

He's a bit <ahem> security conscious. Interior has secure partitions at different points that get locked at night (each bedroom door is a security door but you'd never know by looking at them). Has a huge manor house style study with floor to ceiling bookcases like you see in the movies. One of them is a hidden door. It's his privacy escape/man cave and also a potential family safe(r) room and escape route.

[Greg]

Why use hinges at all?
I could imagine someone finding a hidden space by pushing and pulling to look for hinges, but I cant imagine anyone finding that space without prior knowledge not only that it's there but also how to open it.

Magnetic latch.