Build a Hidden Door Bookshelf

Do you have a door to a storage area or, perhaps, a secret room? What better way to hide it than to build a bookshelf that not only holds your books and decorations, but also swings open to provide access to your little hideaway? It not only indulges your inner mystery-lover, but it also makes extra use of an otherwise unusable and perhaps not aesthetically pleasing space. What follows is the general process for building a hidden door bookshelf that, if you have basic welding and carpentry skills, you can customize to your specifications.

Steps

 * 1) Calculate dimensions. Figure out how big and where a bookshelf would need to pivot in order to clear walls and neighboring shelves with minimum gaps. Make a scale drawing of shelves and cut out the rotating shelf shape. With a pin try different pivot ideas, validating  measurements. Make sure to calculate the area between you and the bookshelf when it swings open. You don't want to be hit.
 * 2)  Build a steel frame. Don't hinge the wood shelves directly. A steel frame will allow the door to swing easily and support 500-1000lbs (a full bookshelf) without a problem.
 * 3) *Calculate the size for the frame, allowing minimum clearance from the floor for trim and base board and enough clearance from the ceiling for the metal frame barely below crown. Set the width to just cover the access door and be centered.
 * 4) * Use 3/4 inch bolts to act as the pivot pins. Weld a piece of scrap quarter inch plate to pivot points, then weld 3/4 inch bolts to the plate for extra strength. Cut the bolts to 2 inches long. The steel frame should pivot on a upper and lower anchor point, mounted to ceiling and floor respectively, so you will need two bolts welded to the frame.
 * 5) Install the steel frame.
 * 6) *Size the ceiling anchor to span 3 joists. Add a short arm out to avoid rocking (scrap steel). The short arm has to align with a joist, as well, or it will rock and break out the ceiling. Make the pivot point with a 3/4 inch brass flange bearing inserted into a 1 inch hole in the 2x2 box.
 * 7) *Make a floor anchor in the same way. It can be much smaller than the ceiling anchor if it will be bolted to a concrete floor.
 * 8) *Position and place the top anchor, base anchor, and frame. Attach the top anchor loosely letting it rock, slip in the frame and bottom anchor on pin (with 2 washers on pin above bearing), then slide the whole set into place. Hang a plumb bob along the edge of the frame to tell if it is vertical in both directions.
 * 9) *When true, secure bolts on both ends. At the pivot point, split a tiny piece - about 3/8 inch - of nylon tubing and slip it on the exposed bolt. This keeps the bearing from slipping down.
 * 10) *Test the swing of the door frame with 500 lbs of people standing in it.
 * 11) Add the wood.
 * 12) *Build the first shelf box into the installed frame and verify clearance. You can make the swinging shelf 2 inches shallower than the other shelves to allow clearance behind it for the arc when it swung.
 * 13) *Build the two side shelves and install trim all around. Use a credit card for gaps between trim and crown to allow clearance. The trim on the right side of the shelf-door should be fixed to the fixed shelf, while the left side moves with the door. Bevel notches in the trim on the right if the horizontal trim dives under it as the door opens. If necessary, slightly round the horizontal pieces to slip underneath smoothly.
 * 14)  Install a wooden door stop. This should serve two functions: Hit the steel to keep the door from closing too far, and hold the door so that it doesn't float open. The door can be held closed by a magnet.

Tips

 * These instructions provide a general overview of how to approach this kind of building project, provided you have (or know someone who has) carpentry and welding experience. Exact measurements will vary depending on the area in which you're building the bookshelves, as well as the size of the door you're hiding.
 * This particular project can be completed for approximately under US$500, plus labor. Of course, if you're doing it yourself, the labor cost is zilch, but supplies may be in duplicate.

Warnings

 * Do not attempt this project if you're a welding or carpentry amateur. This is an advanced do-it-yourself project.
 * Do not undertake any major projects or renovations if you are renting, unless you get prior approval from your landlord.
 * Always take proper safety precautions when working with welding equipment and sharp tools.
 * Make sure you are not violating any building codes by hiding the entrance to a room. Many building codes require, for example, that the entrance to a utility room with a furnace or gas line be clearly visible, in case of emergency.

Things You'll Need

 * Carpentry skills and equipment
 * Welding skills and equipment
 * Steel 2x2 box tubing (recommend 2"X 2"X 3/16" as less than 3/16" wouldn't support the weight, 1/4" gets pretty heavy to work with) cut to length with miters
 * 3/4" bolts
 * 3/4 inch brass flange bearings
 * Plumb bob
 * Medium density fibre board and particle board
 * Wooden door stop

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Hang a Door
 * How to Organize a Bookshelf
 * How to Unstick a Door
 * How to Install a Pet Door or Dog Door
 * How to Organize Books
 * How to Use Wine Bottle Labels As Art

Sources and Citations

 * Instructables - Article by User:kenbob, original source of these instructions and images. Shared with permission.