How to Install Secret Bookcase Doors Contributor By eHow Contributing Writer Article Rating: (1 Ratings) Creating a secret chamber

is the love and desire of any comic junkie, sci-fi or horror fan. It is the epitome of cool if you want to play spy on a daily basis. It can also serve as a basis to a safe room or simply to get away from the people who are bothering you in your house. It is simpler than it appears to install a secret bookshelf door, but is still very hard if you have little experience with planning and welding. This article will show you how to install secret bookshelf doors.

Things You'll Need:

Metal For Frame; 2" thick Square Tubing Scrap Square Tubing Scrap 2" Wide Metal Plates Scrap Wood Magnet Bookcase Plans Bolts Saw Welder Measuring Tape Pencil Paper Scissors String
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Strong Rope Drill 2" Long Screws Eye Hook

Instructions Installing Secret Bookcase Doors

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Step1

Locate the area where you want to put your secret door. A room with no windows or other doors leading in or out (unless you plan to make two secret doors) is your best case scenario.
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Step2 Measure the length of the wall and the height of the wall and write them down.
2.

Step3

Measure the width of the door and write down the number to your piece of paper.
3.

Step4

Divide the bookshelf into three sections making certain that the secret bookshelf covers your entire door with six inches to spare on each side but being four inches shorter than the other two normal bookshelves.
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Step5

Draw your plans for your bookshelves.

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5.

Step6

Draw a second set of plans for your bookshelves from the top-down perspective and cut out the bookshelf that is to be your secret door. Line it up on your original plans and "open" it outward. Check for clearance of the other shelves as well as walls. Move your paper wall as needed to determine proper clearance. Once you have found it mark it on the plans-this serves as your pivot point for the door.
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Step7

Build your normal bookshelves according to your dimensions and tastes.

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Step8

Using your measurements build a metal frame for your secret door by cutting and welding the pieces together.
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Step9

Measure the length and width of the inside of your metal frame and build your secret bookshelf to match the dimensions and affixing an eye hook and tying a sturdy rope to it in the back of the bookshelf.
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Step10

Weld your metal plates to the top and bottom of the metal frame at the center of your pivot points.
10. Step11

Cut your bolts to two inches and weld them to the center of the metal plates you just welded.
11. Step12

Using your scrap metal weld together two pieces into a "T" formation, drilling holes to allow for securing to the floor and one for the bolt. Attach the finished plate to the floor lining up the pivot hole.
12. Step13

Cut a two foot long piece of scrap metal and drill holes four inches apart and a hole for the pivot point. Affix to the ceiling with two inch screws, lining up your pivot points.
13. Step14

Nail a piece of scrap wood to the wall so that it is flush on top of the metal frame to the far left and attach the magnet to it.
14. Step15

Nail a piece of scrap wood to the far right of the frame to be a stop point so the door does not go further than it should.
15. Step16

Install your steel frame by sliding the pivot points into the proper holes.
16. Step17

Install your bookshelves.

17. Step18

Measure the gaps left by the steel frame between the normal bookshelves as well as ceiling and floor.
18. Step19

Cut out pieces of wood from the same material as your bookshelves to match those dimensions and nail in place and paint or stain as the others.
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