How to Install Secret Bookcase Doors

Creating a secret chamber is the love and desire of any comic junkie, sci-fi or horror fan. It is the epitome of cool if you want to play spy on a daily basis. It can also serve as a basis to a safe room or simply to get away from the people who are bothering you in your house. It is simpler than it appears to install a secret bookshelf door, but is still very hard if you have little experience with planning and welding. This article will show you how to install secret bookshelf doors.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Metal For Frame; 2" thick Square Tubing
• Scrap Square Tubing
• Scrap 2" Wide Metal Plates
• Scrap Wood
• Magnet
• Bookcase Plans
• Bolts
• Saw
• Welder
• Measuring Tape
• Pencil
• Paper
• Scissors
• String
• Strong Rope
• Drill
• 2" Long Screws
• Eye Hook

Installing Secret Bookcase Doors

1. Locate the area where you want to put your secret door. A room with no windows or other doors leading in or out (unless you plan to make two secret doors) is your best case scenario.

2. Measure the length of the wall and the height of the wall and write them down.

3. Measure the width of the door and write down the number to your piece of paper.

4. Divide the bookshelf into three sections making certain that the secret bookshelf covers your entire door with six inches to spare on each side but being four inches shorter than the other two normal bookshelves.

5. Draw your plans for your bookshelves.

6. Draw a second set of plans for your bookshelves from the top-down perspective and cut out the bookshelf that is to be your secret door. Line it up on your original plans and "open" it outward. Check for clearance of the other shelves as well as walls. Move your paper wall as needed to determine proper clearance. Once you have found it mark it on the plans-this serves as your pivot point for the door.

7. Build your normal bookshelves according to your dimensions and tastes.

8. Using your measurements build a metal frame for your secret door by cutting and welding the pieces together.

9. Measure the length and width of the inside of your metal frame and build your secret bookshelf to match the dimensions and affixing an eye hook and tying a sturdy rope to it in the back of the bookshelf.

10. Weld your metal plates to the top and bottom of the metal frame at the center of your pivot points.

11. Cut your bolts to two inches and weld them to the center of the metal plates you just welded.

12. Using your scrap metal weld together two pieces into a "T" formation, drilling holes to allow for securing to the floor and one for the bolt. Attach the finished plate to the floor lining up the pivot hole.

13. Cut a two foot long piece of scrap metal and drill holes four inches apart and a hole for the pivot point. Affix to the ceiling with two inch screws, lining up your pivot points.

14. Nail a piece of scrap wood to the wall so that it is flush on top of the metal frame to the far left and attach the magnet to it.

15. Nail a piece of scrap wood to the far right of the frame to be a stop point so the door does not go further than it should.

16. Install your steel frame by sliding the pivot points into the proper holes.

17. Install your bookshelves.

18. Measure the gaps left by the steel frame between the normal bookshelves as well as ceiling and floor.

19. Cut out pieces of wood from the same material as your bookshelves to match those dimensions and nail in place and paint or stain as the others.

Tips & Warnings

• You can divide your bookshelf into as many sections as you like but many wall bookshelves are broken up into three sections.
• When installing your trim make it as close to the other materials as possible to appear as one.
• You can also add crown moldings to the top and bottom so that the seams of the door are less likely to be noticed.
• If you do not weld have a professional do it.
• Always adhere to strict safety precautions when working with any tool.