Kk

Kiwanda

18/08/2008 6:30 PM

Drawer slides for a medicine cabinet door?

Thinking out loud here: I've built an oak medicine cabinet to fit
into a standard stud-cavity recess but have not attached the door yet.
Rather than using Euro-style or other hinges, I'm wondering if I might
use a pair of drawer slides to hang the door so it slides to one side
rather than swinging out? Anyone done this? Or given it enough
thought to consider what sort of slides would work? I'm thinking low-
profile side mount ball bearing slides, but wouldn't one need to be
mounted "backward" for that to work?

I don't mind if the finished door protrudes 1/2" or so from the wall;
it has a mirror inset so would look like I'd hung a mirror on the
wall. Much more than that might look odd though, and would reveal the
slides when closed.

thanks,

kiwanda


This topic has 3 replies

CF

Chris Friesen

in reply to Kiwanda on 18/08/2008 6:30 PM

19/08/2008 8:45 AM

Kiwanda wrote:
> Thinking out loud here: I've built an oak medicine cabinet to fit
> into a standard stud-cavity recess but have not attached the door yet.
> Rather than using Euro-style or other hinges, I'm wondering if I might
> use a pair of drawer slides to hang the door so it slides to one side
> rather than swinging out? Anyone done this? Or given it enough
> thought to consider what sort of slides would work? I'm thinking low-
> profile side mount ball bearing slides, but wouldn't one need to be
> mounted "backward" for that to work?

I've seen it done. And you don't need to worry about mounting one
"backwards". Side-mount ball-bearing slides are reversible.

If 1/2" gap is acceptable, you don't even need to go "low-profile",
that's the gap for regular standard slides.

Chris

LH

"Lew Hodgett"

in reply to Kiwanda on 18/08/2008 6:30 PM

19/08/2008 3:02 AM

"Kiwanda" wrote:

> Thinking out loud here: I've built an oak medicine cabinet to fit
> into a standard stud-cavity recess but have not attached the door
> yet.
> Rather than using Euro-style or other hinges, I'm wondering if I
> might
> use a pair of drawer slides to hang the door so it slides to one
> side
> rather than swinging out? Anyone done this? Or given it enough
> thought to consider what sort of slides would work?

An old trick on a boat where space is at a real premium.

Take a look at some examples in Fred Bingham's book, Practical Yacht
Joinery.

Lew

md

mac davis

in reply to Kiwanda on 18/08/2008 6:30 PM

19/08/2008 8:05 AM

On Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:30:26 -0700 (PDT), Kiwanda <[email protected]> wrote:

Thinking about our "medicine" cabinets, because they hold every damn thing
except meds..... The sliding door would probably disturb the delicate balance
of 30 lbs of shit in a 20 lb bag and spill stuff every time the door was
opened..
I visualize a sink/floor with various tubes/jars/packages/etc scattered in/on
it..

Other than that, I like the idea.. I had a phone that slid open and liked it..
(once I got used to it)

As to the drawer slides, I find that simple mockups, even out of cardboard, a
more fool proof way of design than logic or drawings...



>Thinking out loud here: I've built an oak medicine cabinet to fit
>into a standard stud-cavity recess but have not attached the door yet.
>Rather than using Euro-style or other hinges, I'm wondering if I might
>use a pair of drawer slides to hang the door so it slides to one side
>rather than swinging out? Anyone done this? Or given it enough
>thought to consider what sort of slides would work? I'm thinking low-
>profile side mount ball bearing slides, but wouldn't one need to be
>mounted "backward" for that to work?
>
>I don't mind if the finished door protrudes 1/2" or so from the wall;
>it has a mirror inset so would look like I'd hung a mirror on the
>wall. Much more than that might look odd though, and would reveal the
>slides when closed.
>
>thanks,
>
>kiwanda


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing


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