Hidden Panel

[Sarcastro]

On the side of my new cab I am trying to put a flip down panel.  What would be the best hinge to use so that the panel sits flush with the rest of the side?  I am thinking of using a piano hinge and spray painting the hinge black for the least intrusive look.

[javeryh]

How is this panel going to work?  Do you want it just to flip down (hinged at the bottom)?  It might be cool if you could get it to pop out completely and slide down or something.  I definitely wouldn't use a piano hinge - there are a ton of other options where you wouldn't have to see anything.  There's got to be a style of European hinge that will do exactly what you want.

 

[Sarcastro]

I would like it to flip down.  I am going to put a doomsday device from thinkgeek on the panel and make that my special power on button.   The slide down would be awesome but then i would have to put the device on rails and have the device slide out the flip down seems easier to me. 

[sstorkel]

A European hinge designed for an inset door will keep the hinge completely hidden. The only problem is that you'll need to leave a uniform 1/16" gap around the door... which will make it somewhat noticeable, especially if anything in your cabinet generates light (e.g. power LEDs). There are hinges designed for fold down doors; often you see them used in bookshelves or entertainment centers. I haven't seen them specifically used with inset doors, but I would think it could work.

Hop over to Woodworkers Hardware[/i], or [url=http://www.rockler.com]Rockler, or Woodcraft[/i] and see what's available...

[IA1NY]

Soss Hinge.  It mounts into the edge of your face and door.  No visible hinge, and minimal hardware in opening.  Hinge side of door looks like small crack, otherwise unobtrusive.  It's harder to install than most hinges, but totally hidden.  You can get them at Rockler (www.rockler.com) or most woodworking stores or catalogues.  They also come in many sizes.

[bfauska]

Soss Hinge.  It mounts into the edge of your face and door.  No visible hinge, and minimal hardware in opening.  Hinge side of door looks like small crack, otherwise unobtrusive.  It's harder to install than most hinges, but totally hidden.  You can get them at Rockler (www.rockler.com) or most woodworking stores or catalogues.  They also come in many sizes.

+1

and if you bevel all the non-hinge sides of the opening it will act as it's own stop when it closes and close tighter. This wouldn't allow you to use the part of the side you cut out as your door, but if you want the gap to be minimal you wouldn't want to use that chunk of wood anyway, your saw kerf will be about 1/8 inch.

[Sarcastro]

The bevel is a great idea I will do that.  I am going to have a magnetic lock installed in the upper left corner.  the lock i scrounged from an old entertainment unit it is the kind that holds the glass doors shut and when you push it the spring releases and the door opens.