I've been looking for a way to put a few things out of sight.
Don't need to lock them up or anything, but didn't want hinges in view,
or a handle to open it. Just wanted them out of casual sight, but easy,
and quick, to access.

Been doing google and all that, but nothing made me happy. If you
use somethat that locks, you need a key, which can be misplaced, lost,
or not readily availablt at the time. A magnetic catch, using a magnet
to releast a catch, same.

Then yesterday I thought of the perfect solution. A panel that
form fits, held in place with magnets, probably rare earth magnets,
because if someone bumps into it, I wouldn't want it dislodging. Then
have a small piece that looks like a piece of decoration, but sticks out
far enough to pull the panel loose, and set aside. Viola, just what I
wanted.

I got the idea from the door to give access to my furnace. It is
hinged, with the hinges showing, but there's no handle or doorknob, so
people aren't apt to open it. Instead, there's a slight gap at the
bottom of the door, where I can slip my fingers under, and pull the door
open. It's held shut with a pretty strong magnet, so I have to be sure
I don't leave the door just cracked open, and turn around, because the
door is apt to be sucked shut by the magnet, so I have to be sure to
open it all the way.

If I was planning on storing the Hope Diamond, or some other
baubles, I would want something with some sort of a lock, at a minimum.
But, I'm not, so "out of sight, out of mind", will work.



JOAT
Yes, it's my truck. No, I won''t help you move.
- Seen on a bumper sticker

You might want to check out SOSS (brand name) invisible hinges tu use on
your panel. I made a similar panel in my old house when I moved a door in a
room with knotty pine paneling. The wall was concrete block with plaster on
one side and furred paneling on the other. I simply used drywall on the
plaster side and made a door out of the pine paneling I removed where the
new door was going to go. It was in a corner of the room, pretty much
inconspicuous, and made a great gun cabinet. I never did figure out a good
latching system, simply relied on friction between the paneling and the
door. Worked great for twenty-five years (and one break-in/burglary).
Probably still working fine for the new owners.


"J T" wrote in message
...
I've been looking for a way to put a few things out of sight.
Don't need to lock them up or anything, but didn't want hinges in view,
or a handle to open it. Just wanted them out of casual sight, but easy,
and quick, to access.

Been doing google and all that, but nothing made me happy. If you
use somethat that locks, you need a key, which can be misplaced, lost,
or not readily availablt at the time. A magnetic catch, using a magnet
to releast a catch, same.

Then yesterday I thought of the perfect solution. A panel that
form fits, held in place with magnets, probably rare earth magnets,
because if someone bumps into it, I wouldn't want it dislodging. Then
have a small piece that looks like a piece of decoration, but sticks out
far enough to pull the panel loose, and set aside. Viola, just what I
wanted.

I got the idea from the door to give access to my furnace. It is
hinged, with the hinges showing, but there's no handle or doorknob, so
people aren't apt to open it. Instead, there's a slight gap at the
bottom of the door, where I can slip my fingers under, and pull the door
open. It's held shut with a pretty strong magnet, so I have to be sure
I don't leave the door just cracked open, and turn around, because the
door is apt to be sucked shut by the magnet, so I have to be sure to
open it all the way.

If I was planning on storing the Hope Diamond, or some other
baubles, I would want something with some sort of a lock, at a minimum.
But, I'm not, so "out of sight, out of mind", will work.



JOAT
Yes, it's my truck. No, I won''t help you move.
- Seen on a bumper sticker

Thu, Jul 28, 2005, 4:09pm (Bruce=A0T) does
say:
You might want to check out SOSS (brand name) invisible hinges tu use on
your panel. snip

I had thought about invisible type hinges, and did some looking,
but seem to have missed these. Nice. I think tho, for this, I'll stick
with the magnets, I believe they'll work better on this, as I'll only be
using 1/2" or 3/4" material. I'm starting to wonder now if I'll need to
do some rare earth magnet research. I want enough to keep the piece in
place, but I don't want to use so many I can't pull it loose. LOL =




JOAT
Yes, it's my truck. No, I won''t help you move.
- Seen on a bumper sticker

J T wrote:
the magnets, I believe they'll work better on this, as I'll only be
using 1/2" or 3/4" material. I'm starting to wonder now if I'll need to
do some rare earth magnet research. I want enough to keep the piece in
place, but I don't want to use so many I can't pull it loose. LOL



how about strong rare earth magnets on the top edge and light pull
magnetic push catches on the bottom edge. that way it won't fall out,
but press the bottom edge and it pops out enough to get your fingers in.

On Thu, 28 Jul 2005 20:40:13 -0400, the opaque
(J T) clearly wrote:

Thu, Jul 28, 2005, 4:09pm (Bruce*T) does
say:
You might want to check out SOSS (brand name) invisible hinges tu use on
your panel. snip

I had thought about invisible type hinges, and did some looking,
but seem to have missed these. Nice. I think tho, for this, I'll stick
with the magnets, I believe they'll work better on this, as I'll only be
using 1/2" or 3/4" material. I'm starting to wonder now if I'll need to
do some rare earth magnet research. I want enough to keep the piece in
place, but I don't want to use so many I can't pull it loose. LOL

Drop by Lee Valley Tools and get their 1/4 or 3/8" cups, magnets,
discs, and washers. They're plenty strong.

Magnets:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...=1,42363,42348

Accessories:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...=1,42363,42348

The only problem is limiting your LVT purchases. I seldom get away
from there with invoices less than $100, and I could easily spend 10
times that much each time if it weren't for my depth-limited pockets.
Do you have all 3 tool porn catalogs from Rob? Woodworking, Gardening,
and Hardware, all equally as enticing as the other. sigh

So many tools. So little time/money.


--

"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things
over and over and over again for the truth to sink in,
to kind of catapult the propaganda."

G.W. Bush
Greece, N.Y., May 24, 2005

"Larry Jaques" wrote in message

Drop by Lee Valley Tools and get their 1/4 or 3/8" cups, magnets,
discs, and washers. They're plenty strong.

Another idea he might consider is a magnetic door lock that won't open at
all unless a magnet is place in the proper location. Very small chance of
the hidden door being opened accidentally.

http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/pa...=3,41399,41403

The only problem is limiting your LVT purchases. I seldom get away
from there with invoices less than $100, and I could easily spend 10
times that much each time if it weren't for my depth-limited pockets.

And yeah, that's always a problem. Probably recommended to do mail order so
the window shopping doesn't turn into a financial bloodletting.

On Fri, 29 Jul 2005 10:20:10 -0400, the opaque "Upscale"
clearly wrote:

"Larry Jaques" wrote in message

Drop by Lee Valley Tools and get their 1/4 or 3/8" cups, magnets,
discs, and washers. They're plenty strong.

Another idea he might consider is a magnetic door lock that won't open at
all unless a magnet is place in the proper location. Very small chance of
the hidden door being opened accidentally.

http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/pa...=3,41399,41403

Hey, neat idea, though he stated that it's not a stealth area.
This is the first time I've seen those. Rob's been holding out.


The only problem is limiting your LVT purchases. I seldom get away
from there with invoices less than $100, and I could easily spend 10
times that much each time if it weren't for my depth-limited pockets.

And yeah, that's always a problem. Probably recommended to do mail order so
the window shopping doesn't turn into a financial bloodletting.

It's awfully hard even with catalogs.


--
Guns don't kill people. Rappers do!
-----------------------------------
www.diversify.com Rap-free Website Development

Thu, Jul 28, 2005, 8:18pm (EDT-3) (bridger) doth query:
how about strong rare earth magnets on the top edge and light pull
magnetic push catches on the bottom edge. that way it won't fall out,
but press the bottom edge and it pops out enough to get your fingers in.

Sounds quite workable, with the exception of the magnetic push
catch. I think just another magnet will do.




JOAT
Yes, it's my truck. No, I won''t help you move.
- Seen on a bumper sticker

Fri, Jul 29, 2005, 6:31am (EDT-3)
(Larry=A0Jaques) spaked:
Drop by Lee Valley snip Do you have all 3 tool porn catalogs from Rob?
Woodworking, Gardening, and Hardware, all equally as enticing as the
other. sigh
Neat. That'll save me some searching. Don't have any of his
catalogs. Absolutely hate gardening (a carryover from my youth), and
can't cough up the shekels for anything from the other two just now.



JOAT
Yes, it's my truck. No, I won''t help you move.
- Seen on a bumper sticker

Fri, Jul 29, 2005, 10:20am (Upscale)
Another idea he might consider is a magnetic door lock that won't open
at all unless a magnet is place in the proper location. Very small
chance of the hidden door being opened accidentally.

Nope. Too much chance of misplacing the magnet. I prefer the pry
open system.



JOAT
Yes, it's my truck. No, I won''t help you move.
- Seen on a bumper sticker

Fri, Jul 29, 2005, 10:20am (EDT-3)
(Larry=A0Jaques) exclaimed with glee:
Hey, neat idea, though he stated that it's not a stealth area. This is
the first time I've seen those. Rob's been holding out. snip

You know, now that I think on it a bit, even tho I don't want one of
those on this project, it would probably be perfect on a different one.



JOAT
Yes, it's my truck. No, I won''t help you move.
- Seen on a bumper sticker

"J T" wrote in message

Fri, Jul 29, 2005, 10:20am (Upscale)
Another idea he might consider is a magnetic door lock that won't open
at all unless a magnet is place in the proper location. Very small
chance of the hidden door being opened accidentally.

Nope. Too much chance of misplacing the magnet. I prefer the pry
open system.

Poor reasoning not to use it JT. Most any rare earth magnet properly placed
will open the latch and additional magnet pulls are available from Lee
Valley.

J T wrote:
Thu, Jul 28, 2005, 8:18pm (EDT-3) (bridger) doth query:
how about strong rare earth magnets on the top edge and light pull
magnetic push catches on the bottom edge. that way it won't fall out,
but press the bottom edge and it pops out enough to get your fingers in.

Sounds quite workable, with the exception of the magnetic push
catch. I think just another magnet will do.


I was thinking that with a push catch you could have it flush or lower
at the face. that way the concealed door would be less likely to get
accidentally snagged and knocked open. it would be less likely to be
seen as a door also.

Fri, Jul 29, 2005, 6:49pm (Upscale) who thinketh:
Poor reasoning not to use it JT. Most any rare earth magnet properly
placed will open the latch and additional magnet pulls are available
from Lee Valley.

Nah, not in this case. Then I'd have to use a hinge(s) and all. I
want to keep it simple, and this, using just the magnets would do it,
and work just fine. But, a latch on another project I have in mind
would be a good thing.



JOAT
Yes, it's my truck. No, I won''t help you move.
- Seen on a bumper sticker

Fri, Jul 29, 2005, 3:52pm (EDT-3) From: (bridger) doth
say:
I was thinking that with a push catch you could have it flush or lower
at the face. that way the concealed door would be less likely to get
accidentally snagged and knocked open. it would be less likely to be
seen as a door also.

I was thinking of something else when you came up with "push
catch". Now I've got it. But, using one, I'd have to use a hinge(s),
and I don't want that. So, just the magnets are what I'll go with.



JOAT
Yes, it's my truck. No, I won''t help you move.
- Seen on a bumper sticker

"J T" wrote in message

I was thinking of something else when you came up with "push
catch". Now I've got it. But, using one, I'd have to use a hinge(s),
and I don't want that. So, just the magnets are what I'll go with.

Why? Magnetic push latch on one end of the door, small rare earth magnets
just large enough to hold on the other end of the door. Pushlatch to open it
just enough to grab the end of the door, pull the whole door away from the
opening. No hinges involved.

Sat, Jul 30, 2005, 8:07pm (Upscale) didith query:
Why? Magnetic push latch on one end of the door, small rare earth
magnets just large enough to hold on the other end of the door.
Pushlatch to open it just enough to grab the end of the door, pull the
whole door away from the opening. No hinges involved.

Personal choice. It would be out where it conceivably be bumped by
someone, and being ajar would be notice. So, my choice is magnets only.
Might go with a magnetic push latch on something else, later, don't
know.

However, it's all moot now. Not sure if it's from coupling a
recent search with the feedback I've gotten from you guys, or exactly
what, but, I've come up with something quite different, that doesn't
call for latches, OR magnets, and can even go without hinges with only
minor changes. It will be as quick, as easy, to access, with little, or
no, probability of it being opened by accident.

E-mail me, ask nice LOL, and I'll explain.



JOAT
Yes, it's my truck. No, I won''t help you move.
- Seen on a bumper sticker