Would you recommend hinging the back of a cabinet for easy access?

[laggerific]

I'm working on a custom cabinet based loosely off the Project Arcade system.  It's going to have a LCD HDTV for a monitor...everything looks stunning.  But, that said, I want to get in there in case I need to adjust things.  I'm just concerned that it might impair the structural integrity of the cabinet.  It's going to be built with 3/4" MDO, which I understand is strong and light, and the HDTV is only 20lbs, so I'd think I'd have more flexibility with the structure.  So, I was thinking of perhaps putting the angled top section with a hinge so I could lift if up if necessary, and then, have the rear panel open like the front panel will with euro hinges or something.  Any suggestions on things I could do to help stabilize, if needed?

[orchidius]

Should be ok.

But why don't you just make a little door in the back that opens with a piano hinge or euro hinges? A piano hinge makes it quite subtle and I presume you're going to put the cab with its back against a wall anyway?

[92greenyj]

the only issue i see with a hinged door is how far you would need to pull the game out to open it. all of the games in my work arcade just pop out when you unlock them. they have a small piece of wood on the door panel that overlaps the cabinet on the bottom, and the lock holds it in on the top. Though some are held on by screws too. And which way would you hinge it? down? that would make it a pain to get into. you'd have to have it hinged to swing out left or right.

[laggerific]

Yeah, I might do the piano hinge for the angled section, and then euro hinges for the actual rear panels/doors.  I'm mainly concerned that it would be a big hit to the structural integrity by not screwing those parts in complete and tight to the rest of the cab. 

[orchidius]

That all depends on the way you designed the rest of the cab...  You could even build it so that it doesn't even need a front or back! Just think it over real good and make sure you don't put any weight on the back panel if you plan on completely hinging it!

[Blanka]

For the best access, use kitchen cabinet hinges. It is a "blind" hinging solution as a bonus!

[shfifty]

the only issue i see with a hinged door is how far you would need to pull the game out to open it. all of the games in my work arcade just pop out when you unlock them. they have a small piece of wood on the door panel that overlaps the cabinet on the bottom, and the lock holds it in on the top. Though some are held on by screws too. And which way would you hinge it? down? that would make it a pain to get into. you'd have to have it hinged to swing out left or right.

this is what i plan on doing to my cab after a bit of thinking. Originally i was going to go with a hinge, but decided this 'lift-out' type method would be best. Therefore you can get access with just pulling one side of the cab away from the wall, and the back panel can lift out easily. Bear in mind also, hinging one of the sides, you essentially only have access from one side of the cab. So if one day you reposition your cab into a corner of a room, you have the risk of the hinge being on the 'wrong' side making it even harder to open.

That being said, my cab is going to be on carpet without wheels making it harder to slide around. If its on a hard surface and has wheels its not so much of a problem 

[The Lumberjackass]

use a hinge that is easy to attach and align. i just used your normal butt hinge as it was quick to do
and easy to set up. i added cabinet locks to the other side so no-one can go fiddling with it.

it doesnt matter if the hinge looks bad , its going to be hidden out of view anyways .
but, whatever suits yourself go with what your happy with.

[Blanka]

it doesnt matter if the hinge looks bad , its going to be hidden out of view anyways .

Not always:

[The Lumberjackass]

hehe , that whole cab should be hidden , never mind the hinge