DIY Network

Bookcase Door: Laying Foundation From "Weekend Handyman" episode WKH-407

Once the bookcases are built, Paul will create the bifolding bookcase door by joining the two bookcases with a piano hinge. Then, he assembles the threshold and the valance that will carry the bookcase.

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	Originally, this was a regular closet door...
	but there is nothing regular about it now.
	This bookcase door holds all sorts of stuff, and can easily be opened by children.
	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Time: 12 hours over two days.
Difficulty Rating: This project rates a 2 out of 5 on the Weekend Handyman difficulty scale.

Materials:

Bookshelf

Safety glasses
Bookshelf kit
Rubber mallet
Door strike
Wood glue
Centering bit
Cordless drill
Impulse nailer
Tape measure
Pencil
Screw driver
Clamp
Studfinder

Loft

Safety glasses
1 X 3 boards
2’ X 4’ plywood
1 X 2’s
1/4" piece of melamine
1-5/8" screws
Compound miter saw
Drill with extension bit
Right angle impact driver
18 gauge finish nailer
Studfinder

Laying the Foundation

1. To attach the hinges, you need to have the correct spacing between the bookcases. There are usually quarter inch spacers provided with the kit (figure A), and clamped between the two units (figure B).

2. Make sure the tops are even when they are clamped into position.

3. It’s critical that the hinge is attached so it’s straight. Start at the top and put a few screws in there, then at the bottom, then the center.

4. Use a hole centering bit to pre-drill one hole in the first screw hole at the top of the hinge (figure C). Pre-drill the holes for the screws. Don’t fully tighten the screws until they’re both in.

5. Fully tighten the screws into the hinge making sure that it is perfectly straight (figure D).

6. To position the mounting brackets for your bookcase door, the pivot points of the threshold and the valence need to line up.

7. The edge of the door needs to be flush with the trim (figure E).

Figure D

Figure E

8. With the valance and threshold in place, make sure that they are evenly spaced on both ends (figure F).

9. Mark the threshold with tape. Then, take off the valance and move it over 5/8 of an inch to allow for trim (figure G), and remark it.

Figure F

Figure G

10. Make the pilot holes in the threshold (figure H). It will be secured right into the subfloor.

11. Secure the threshold with 3" deck screws (figure I).

Figure H

Figure I

RESOURCES :

Hide-A-Door Bookshelf
Model Number: Classic
Color: White, MDF
Brand Name: Space X Doors

Manufacturer: Space X Doors
8666 E. Phillips Ave.
Centennial, CO 80112
Telephone: 1-800-262-9464
Website: www.spacexdoors.com

Custom Closet
Model Number: Kids
Color: Alpine White
Brand Name: Twin-Cities Closet

Manufacturer: Twin-Cities Closet Co.
2634 Minnehaha Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55406
Telephone: 1-612-623-0987
Website: www.twincitiesclosets.com

Wall Stickers
Chimpanzee 28" X 10", Model #: 030809
Grass 42" X 12", Model #: 071600
Elephant 24" X 38", Model #: 051105
Rainforest Tree 35" X 96" Model #: 180109
Orangutan & Toucan 10" X 70", Model #: 151801
Giraffe 63" X 13", Model #: 070917
Rock Grass 42" X 12", Model #: 180700
Product: Tiger Cub 17" X 8", Model #: 200907

Manufacturer: WildAnimalStickers.com
156 Diddell Rd.
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
Telephone: 1-845-462-1234
Website: www.wildanimalstickers.com

GUESTS :

Cliff Rencher
Space X Doors
8666 E. Phillips Ave.
Centennial, CO 80112
Telephone: 1-800-262-9464

Gillett Cole
Twin Cities Closet Co.
2634 Minnehaha Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55406
Telephone: 1-612-623-0987