I am a finish carpenter, sneaking over here from the Breaktime forum. I am doing a retrofit of some high end, built-in, AC grills in Manhattan and while on site was asked by the architects to take a look at a cabinetry problem I think more suited to this forum. The client insisted that the washer and dryer be built in, within the cabinetry under a counter in the kitchen. A jog in a chase wall limited the room available, so the “face fame”, as it exists, was added after the units were installed, trapping them inside. A couple years have passed, and now the client is worried about access to the units for servicing. The frames were put on with finish screws, but the repairmen will not touch the stuff, of course, nor, apparently, will the building staff, worried about responsibility for the finish, etc.
There is a total of perhaps 3/4″ of left-right space inside the carcass.
They need a hinge that will mount to the inside of the carcass, eliminating the need for a face frame.
It needs to be very low profile-to-flush when open.
It needs to have enough left-right adjustment on the door side to allow the doors to hang where they were when there was a face frame.
It must be very low cost.
Just kidding about the last one.
I was thinking about hinges I have seen for “disappearing doors” , where the hinge is mounted on a kind of drawer-slide so that the door opens, then slides back inside the cabinet. This would be something like the opposite of that, where the door would swing out and away… Or not.
Any ideas would be very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Don Wood
Edited 9/17/2002 4:35:49 PM ET by D_Wood_NY
Replies
Don,
With only 3/4" clearance on either side, I seriously doubt disapering doors are the answer. My suggestion would be European hinges, Hafele makes both face frame and carcase mount hinges. Might want to measure a set first, I just did and they are set to exactly 3/4". FWIW.
Dano
If I have the correct picture in my head. Why not make a face frame with the doors attached. and size it to cover the area. Attach the frame to the cabinet with velcro (long pieces) Then its just a case of pulling the panel from the velcro.
Thanks for all the responses so far. I may end up using a piano hinge on one side, the other is right up against another cabinet, as they currently do have euro hinges. The "knuckle" of the euro hinge sticks out too far right now. Those, "invisible" hinges would work if they only had more throw. As it is, I would have to install them already almost completely open. I may just beg off this part of the job. I hate to look like the guy who couldn't do it, but I really don't want to look lie the guy who f'd it up, as this is my first job for this architecture firm, a pretty big one.
THanks again, everyone, and I am still listening if anyone else has any ideas.
Don Wood
Why not re-frame the front loading washer and dryer frame and use knife hinges?
Sound crazy but it just might work.
Dave in Pa.
Another option to consider is those high power magnets. I had a similar situation once with some molding that had to be removed so that we could get the refrigerator out on occasion. I used the magnets and the trim stayed put and was only removable if you wanted to service the frig.
Thanks, that's exctly what I am going to do for the kickplates.
DW
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