Hidden Door Bookshelf

Step 5 Videos

Just posted some videos --
open the door

close the door

thanks for all the feedback!

Comments

[Just Bill]

These things always fascinate me. Good job.

[quillin]

Very nice project, thanks for sharing. I actually have a customer to whom I suggested this basic idea to, they want to hide a gun safe and have a very basic panic room at reasonable cost. I found your project while searching for ideas. I need a nice locking mechanism, that is hidden and or remote controlled that would work if power was off. I am thinking simple slide bolts on inside to secure once inside, but need something more solid than magnetic catch for keeping it closed, this will be in a large (16x24) red cedar walk-in closet so "bookcase" will probably have sweaters or linens in it . Have plenty of woodworking tools and knowledge but still puzzled on lock. Any ideas would be welcomed. I need the ideas fairly fast if possible. Thanks in advance. Again very neat project and thanks for sharing.
Randy

[jrh065]

How about running a cable from a lock to underneath one of the lower shelves(not too low) you could attach a hand grab to pull that would pull the cable and thusly open a latch. You could install other additional locks inside so that a would be attacker couldn't get in if he happened to find the cable pull.

[kenbob]

Randy,
Thanks for the kind words.
I think the basic idea could be easily modified to be a safe room door. It will absolutely support the weight of steel or cement.
Lots of folks below have suggested ideas for “hidden latches”.

As to a reliable, easy, convenient, and undetectable lock mechanism: My favorite idea is a variation of the magnetic latches they sell in the baby proofing section. A strong latch is located behind a panel. This latch is released by placing a powerful magnet on the outside of the panel. In practice this would be a “paperweight” that is sitting on the shelf. By placing this paperweight in the right spot on the shelf, the latch is released, and the door can be opened and closed freely. If the weight is moved, the door latches when closed. To work the latch must have a slight bit of free play, so I would include a light magnetic stop to keep the door from being able to rattle against the latch ( not that 300 pound doors rattle much) and it would also keep the door in position to allow smooth release of the latch( an almost balanced mechanism with strong magnet mounted on pull part.

I think I might have to try this:)

[Littlehawke]

great post. I have been wanting to do this with the closet/pipe access to the bathroom door in our den. It's ugly and we need more bookshelves. Unfortunately, there's not enough room on the one side of the door to do a full bookshelf so it would have to have some sort of ornamental dohickey or slide to the side instead of outward on rails that are hidden under and over the shelves when the shelves are in place. Really cool project!

[jerhpk]

If you cut the crown on a bevel, you might be able to hide the edges better. Plus, the wood will add just a little bit more backstop to prevent the door from going too far back. (It's just a little more insurance. It will not replace the backstop you already have in.) This is a very nice project. Thank you for sharing. (Now I need to figure out where I can put one.)

[keglermom]

Very Cool. I'll bet it was fun to watch your helpers swinging on the frame!

[Varenberg]

hi, since i'm not a paying member on instructables i can't download the plans... Can I find them elsewhere or would you mail them to me... i'm considering of making an automated version of this hidden bookshelf.

[kenbob]

I really don't have "instructions" other than what is posted. Send me a private message with your email, and i will send you the documents i have.

[bobomitc]

I had a friend who built a bookshelf to conceal a secret closet.  He installed an electric locking device (electro magnet)  to hold the bookshelf closed until a certain light switch was activated.

[jason the red]

im thinking of trying a electric lock but rigging the switch up to a fake book (or maybe a real one) for that classic mystery novel feel.

[dabmedida]

 holy mushrooms dood, that was just awesome

[Boy Scout]

Interesting & well done!  Might I suggest a locking mechanism?

[danie peace]

 Functional and attractive! Well done!

[Buskieboy]

If you added a way to "lock" it from the inside of the storage room, it
could be used as a kind of poor man's panic room.  You could keep some water, a charged cell phone and whatever else you deem necessary.  Of course you would need to sound proof the storage room somewhat if you want to be able to call for help on the cell phone.  I don't think reception would be a problem in this case as you said it's under the garage, but you could run some kind of wire out to be able to increase your bars.

[lane29]

i think you are rite he does need a locking mechanisim, might i sugest a method i saw where u put a small hole in one of the side shelves and put something like a deadbolt bolt thing on the door shelf thing andthen when when uclose the bookshelf the bolt will lock so when u put a small piece of wire in the hole it will unlock the bookshelf by pushing in the bolt thus opening the bookshelf

[BigD145]

Now that you've given away the secret to all of the Internet, someone will be knocking on your door shortly.

[babasfarmlife]

Absolutely Fabulous!  I want one!

[djlolypop]

this looks like the one from spykids wear thay go into a sub but theres is in a closit and it looks metal sory for grammer

[JrRRr]

I'm in awe! I think my jaw just unhinged.. Only thing I could spot it not beeing so secret, is it seems that the bookshelf-door is a bit shalower than the two others.. Looks a bit brighter too, but that could be shadows though..
But hey man, smooth welding and setup. You rock!

[gregorydoherty]

 Congratulations and thanks for sharing! One of the absolute coolest and useful projects I've seen on Instructables.com!

[beefunit]

Go go secret bathroom!

[Phusilly]

As soon as I get a secret lair I am SO installing these over ALL the doors!!! That will keep it extra secret...

[servion]

This rocks :-D

I'll build something like this one day...
It could have been more subtile if the shelfs on the secret doors had been placed on the same level than the real shelves.

[J@50n]

unless they could be movable.... 

[kenbob]

Actually they are all movable... i never thought about lining up the shelves in each bay, i just put them where I needed them. Thanks.

[Obediah]

Totally cool.  I want secret doors.  I've been thinking of becoming an evil scientist.  First build a door I want to hide...

[dmeierhofer]

Cool!

[ProfessorOak]

looks very nice, unfortunatly i can't create such a thing =(