Vertical Bifold cabinet doors

[Dee]

Hi

Made my own  W30mm x  H1050mm MDF doors to create 2x V bifold doors.

Not using a track ( or should I?) What hinges do I use? Don't want to use euro hinges so would prefer traditional looking hinges.

Any more tips much appreciated!!

 

Edited August 12, 2023 by Dee
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[Dee]

Also think I've made them too thin....18mm!

Am I screwed?

[Big Jimbo]

If the doors are only 18mm thick you could use a piano hinge. Available in various widths and colours.

[Dee]

So would i be looking at 38mm hinge to fit an 18mm think door edge. I don't understand how they are measured and advertised 

[MikeSharp01]

I would use 'Full-Wrap' hinges, on the swing out portions so you are fixing into the rear face of the door depending on size / weight you may need 3 or 4 of them. The center hinge much more challenging as you need get then on the inside and close the leafs. Here is an example - loads of style available all over. 

 

https://www.kitchenfittingsonline.co.uk/product/amerock-half-wrap-hinge-copy/

 

[Dee]

Hi,

it's the hinges for the door to door that I'm struggling with, not door to frame. 

I've got a total mental block on those hinges! Can't see in my head how they work???

Would these work (

or similar)

I would recess into the inside face of the doors and also rout a vertical groove to recess the knuckle. Would that work?

 

Edited August 13, 2023 by Dee

[joe90]

47 minutes ago, Dee said:

Would these work

Yes, IMO, (and look far better than standard kitchen hinges) BUT, you will need short screws which into 18mm MDF might not be good, a piano hinge fixed to the edge of the doors will allow far more screws and longer screws. 🤷‍♂️

[PeterW]

2 hours ago, Dee said:

Hi,

it's the hinges for the door to door that I'm struggling with, not door to frame. 

I've got a total mental block on those hinges! Can't see in my head how they work???

Would these work (

or similar)

I would recess into the inside face of the doors and also rout a vertical groove to recess the knuckle. Would that work?

 

You could use those and surface mount them on the inside and then countersink on the face for a small nut and washer - use decent epoxy filler and sand flat and it will create a strong hinge that won’t pull through as easy as screws.

 

Other option is to make them a feature and get some brass plates made up to match the hole size and have brazed studs fitted to the back - using 3mm brass you would end up with a 15mm MDF sandwich but it wouldn’t be cheap.

[Dee]

Great suggestions.....thanks.

I'll post the finished article if I think it will stand scrutiny!

[MikeSharp01]

Ah I see - how about the Parliament hinge design to fold back on itself.

 

[Big Jimbo]

I have made and fitted at least 100 of these cabinets over a Twenty year period. to join the Two doors, simply use a length of piano hinge. Various colours and widths available.

[joe90]

4 hours ago, MikeSharp01 said:

Ah I see - how about the Parliament hinge design to fold back on itself.

 

True but a piano hinge will fold back on itself. Parliament hinges are used to allow doors to fold back on themselves beyond a door frame recessed into brickwork etc.

[Dee]

Thanks guys for the hinge advice. Next problem is making a square frame!

I'm fitting the bifolds doors into an existing alcove.

The doors are dead square. I've rebated the hinges into the frame.

I screwed the frame verticals to the left and right walls. The level says they're straight but the doors don't!

What am i doing wrong?

[Dee]

Figured it out now. Old fashioned trial and error.