Hidden Cabinet

Step 7 Prepare the Cabinet

The ease of this step will depend on how well you measure. The external cabinet must have three holes drilled in it. Two for the pivot axis (metal rod) and one to wedge one of the springs arms into.

The third drill hole will vary depending on how springy you want the door to be. If the hole is parallel with the horizontal door, then it will be less springy. The more perpendicular the third hole is to the horizontal door the springier the action will be. I wanted springy... so I put the hold directly below the axis hole. You could also use two springs for heavier doors and apply this same method.

The first two holes drilled coincide with the holes in the door. Use a ruler to assure perfect alignment.

Once the holes are properly bored out, the door should be place inside the cabinet and lined up with the holes.

This part is tricky.

Wedge the spring arm into the third hole, and push it upward so that the door holes, and the cabinet holes align.

Now you can wedge the metal rod through, completing the axis of rotation. Since no clutches have been used yet, the door should swing open horizontal to the floor.

I cut an area out so that you can see the hidden spring... I later covered it with bondo.