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Post by Dave S on Dec 9, 2007 11:08:50 GMT
Looks like I'll get a bit of workshop time during the Christmas break, so the plan is to finally put some doors on the wardrobes I built earlier this year. It will be a painted finish so my intention is to use MDF with a frame/panel construction such as JasonB has describe over the other side. The doors will be full height, so approx 230cm x 55cm. I have two questions, really: - what thickness MDF would be appropriate for the frames and panels, given that the doors are fairly tall? - how many concealed hinges per door? Of course, if there are flaws in my approach then comments gratefully received!  Dave |
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Post by 9fingers on Dec 9, 2007 11:19:11 GMT
Weight is going to be the issue here. you will need 18mm for the frame and as thin as possible for the panels say 6mm. If you are raising the panels then it will have to be 12mm.
I'd be tempted to use 4 hinges per door both for load bearing reasons and getting adequate closing spring action.
I don't need to mention about keeping the doors flat during the glue up do I - opps I just did!
Bob
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Post by engineerone on Dec 9, 2007 12:26:58 GMT
i found that using green or waterproof mdf is better too for larger doors since they draw in less moisture whilst in the makings ;D it is also worth putting a cross rail (muntin is it?) to keep the whole structure more stiff, and at least 3 hinges, but maybe 4. paul |
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Post by cnc paul on Dec 9, 2007 20:44:32 GMT
Dae,
My choice would be 22mm MR MDF with 6mm panels.
MR MDF machines better and finishes better.
4 Blum hinges for doors between 30-45 lb.
5 blum hinges for doors between 45 -60 lb
Preferable with a middle rail......depending on the style.
Paul
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Post by dirtydeeds on Dec 9, 2007 23:02:44 GMT
even if weight says 4 will do the job i like 5 hinges on a door this height, it adds very little to the overall cost
personally i use 18mm and 6mm mdf and altough it is anathema on real wood doors when using MDF panels in MDF rails and stiles i glue the panels in
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Post by Dave S on Dec 10, 2007 9:05:30 GMT
Thanks for the advice, everyone.  Yes, they will be quite heavy so that is clearly an issue. I've done kitchen cupboard doors before but nothing quite this big. A completely flat glue up is, of course, imperative. I will be gluing the panels in - I found on the kitchen doors it helped quite a bit with rigidity. I won't be raising the panels so I'll go for 6mm. There will be a cross rail/muntin (I'm not sure either, Paul). 2 votes for 18mm and 1 for 22mm  Must admit I was expecting 22mm to be necessary. I'll see if I can find out the weight of mdf and do a rough calculation to see the weight of the finished doors. If it isn't too silly I'll probably go for 22mm. Will use Blum hinges since they seem to be well regarded around the forums. Think I'll go for 5 to be on the safe side. Dave |
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Post by jasonb on Dec 10, 2007 18:05:44 GMT
At that size I use 22mm for the styles/rails and 9mm for the panels which gives about 6-7mm each side of the panel. Make the groove 12-15mm deep and glue the panel all round. MR MDF. 4 or 5 hinges.
As for board weight assuming 8x4
6mm = 15kg
9mm = 22kg
18mm = 44kg
22mm = 54kg
Jason
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Post by dom on Dec 10, 2007 19:36:19 GMT
Another vote for 22mm
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Post by Dave S on Dec 10, 2007 20:19:56 GMT
Look like the 22mm has it!! ;D
Next two challenges are to source the MR stuff and a weight training course so I can move it! A full sheet of 22mm is going to be fun!!
Thanks again to all
Dave
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Post by engineerone on Dec 10, 2007 20:21:48 GMT
make life easier for yourself mate, and get the long bits cut by the woodyard on their panel saw. should be more accurate, and also make it much easier for you to move. given your dimensions, you are gonna need more than one sheet, but this would make life much more sensible.  good luck paul |
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Post by Dave S on Dec 10, 2007 20:39:49 GMT
make life easier for yourself mate, and get the long bits cut by the woodyard on their panel saw. should be more accurate, and also make it much easier for you to move. given your dimensions, you are gonna need more than one sheet, but this would make life much more sensible. good luck paul Trouble is, that's easier said than done around here. It's most likely, going on previous experience, that I'll have to settle on getting it delivered as full sheets. However, I have the EZ smart guide, so once I've broken a sheet into two I should be able to cut what I need fairly easily. Just realised my profile doesn't mention my location - I'm in Norfolk. cheers Dave |
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Post by engineerone on Dec 10, 2007 21:03:33 GMT
well at least you should be able to get waterproof/ mr wdf there ;D ;D ;D other thought is what about longer boards??? paul |
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Post by nickw on Dec 11, 2007 9:12:16 GMT
Dave,
My local Ridgeons does a board cutting service, though I haven't used it myself. There are a couple of branches near you, have you tried them?
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Post by Dave S on Dec 11, 2007 12:41:00 GMT
Dave, My local Ridgeons does a board cutting service, though I haven't used it myself. There are a couple of branches near you, have you tried them? The three suppliers this way who are able to deliver and deal in small, one off orders are Ridgeons at Attleborough, Edens at Snetterton and Ipswich Plastics. Last time I checked, only Ipswich Plastics had a cutting service. However, now I have my saw rail, the cutting service is less of an issue, I think, so I'll probably give Edens a try, as they seem to have a pretty comprehensive range of sheet materials. Dave |
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Post by Dave S on Dec 18, 2007 13:38:21 GMT
Don't you just love it when your plans get changed for you? It seems we are now going for raised panels which was my preference in the first place!  Anyway - I'll need thicker panel material, so could I drop down a little on the frames? Haven't ordered the hardware yet - looking at the Blumotion softclosers. These are available for handle side, hinge side and retrofit. Anything to choose between them? Dave |
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Post by Scrit on Dec 18, 2007 14:40:24 GMT
Haven't ordered the hardware yet - looking at the Blumotion softclosers. These are available for handle side, hinge side and retrofit. Anything to choose between them? The handle side can be mounted in a variety of places by inserting in a hole drilled into the edge of the carcass. The retrofit look like just that, a retrofit, and so they aren't as neat. You can also get a surface mounting kit for the soft-close cartridges making them retrofit, too, if you want (main reason is to avoid the need to edge drill carcasses in situ which can be a mite tricky). As an aside a lot of the big sheds (like B&Q, Focus, etc) stock the soft closers made by the Italian company Salice (look for product SMOVE in Compl. Items which also shows a few different mounting optons). I feel that Salice is every bit as good as Blum on the hinges - pity is that they only supply in trade quantities Scrit |
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Post by dom on Dec 18, 2007 17:57:56 GMT
My preference is for the handle side type, I feel they are better made than the hinge side type and the retrofit are just, as Scrit said, retrofit.
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Post by cnc paul on Dec 18, 2007 18:52:38 GMT
I use the Hinge mounted type from Hafele as the closing rate is adjustable.
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Post by 9fingers on Dec 19, 2007 21:58:33 GMT
Haven't ordered the hardware yet - looking at the Blumotion softclosers. These are available for handle side, hinge side and retrofit. Anything to choose between them? . I feel that Salice is every bit as good as Blum on the hinges - pity is that they only supply in trade quantities Scrit Screwfix sell some Salice hinges Bob |
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Post by Dave S on Dec 19, 2007 22:42:16 GMT
Interesting about the Salice hinges - as Bob points out, Screwfix sell a few, though I wasn't able to work out which range they are from. I've gone ahead and ordered Blum from Isaac Lord, though. I opted for the handle side Blumotion and I'm going to use the adapter plates since I don't fancy trying to drill a 10mm hole in the edge of 18mm mfc. Got 4 sheets MR MDF and 2 sheets of Birch ply (for a different project) being delivered tomorrow afternoon, so no excuses now! Thanks again for all the advice Dave |
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Must admit I was expecting 22mm to be necessary. I'll see if I can find out the weight of mdf and do a rough calculation to see the weight of the finished doors. If it isn't too silly I'll probably go for 22mm.
