Folding Doors Part 1

This week I'm sharing a bit of the process that went into making the front framing and the beginnings the doors.   Not only is this framing acting as a supporting wall, but it also creates a track for the doors to run along.  I really had to try to make it square!


In case you missed it, the pieces I cut last week were maple strips in various lengths all 1/2" wide.
To start I made a track that the folding doors will run along. I took one of the pre-cut strips of maple from last week and centred it over the table saw blade at a low height.  I used a scrap piece of mdf as a jig to keep the piece I was cutting in place and kept my hands safely out of the way with scrap wood push sticks.
This technique resulted in a small channel the width of the blade.
I assembled the top and sides of the framing with glue and a small nail gun.  Keeping the piece with the channel in the middle.

My first attempt doors:
I started out my design in 1/4" MDF, positioning the edge over a low blade on the table saw to make a channel down the centre.
The resulting channel:
Slicing off the width:
The pieces:
Then I glued the sides and the bottom piece together, sliding in a piece of plexi.
I have yet to add the hinges and pins to follow along the track, for the pictures they are sitting in a dry fit.


Once I had built all 4 doors I experimented a bit with the colour and thickness. I felt like the ones I had just made were a little too thick.  Using my Silhouette cutting machine I cut these black frames out of card stock, just to get an idea of an overall look.  I like how the black helps makes the house look more modern.  And I decided to trim the MDF door frame width by half to match these card stock frames.

The new smaller frames:

So this week I'll be painting the frames and ordering hinges, as well as working on the smaller frames for the top above the doors.  I'm going to have to hunt down some good glass too.

The laser cutter is booked for Thursday!  So I'll hopefully have some exciting things to share!  Have a great week everyone!


18 comments

  1. Wow! Looks really good! And also like it will work the way you want it to.

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    1. Thanks Sheila, I'm kind of surprised I was able to do it without using a laser cutter. It's great to just be able to slide in the glass.

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  2. I've just had my "editor" come in and notify me off all my grammatical mistakes! I was in such a rush getting this out and combining posts... all hopefully fixed now! šŸ˜‚ I'm always more focused on the photos then the text! Sorry email readers!

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  3. This is excellent work, Kristine! You are teaching all of us that with thoughtful design, fearlessness and a little knowledge about new tools we can raise the bar in our own builds! Thanks so much for the valuable lessons!

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    1. Thanks Jodi! I'll admit I've had LOTS of help from my boyfriend along the way! Whew! I still prefer the smaller tools ;)

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  4. Your technical skills never cease to Amaze and to Impress me Kristine! Your accordion folding doors are going to look really neat when they are done and I LOVE the choice of black, which looks both chic and sophisticated.
    Good Call! :D

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    1. Thank you Elizabeth, I've been back and forth on the colour... so it helps to hear you think it will be good too :)

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  5. genius! what precision work... great!

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    1. Thanks Marion! It was a big relief to see it all in place!

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  6. They look fantastic, I love the black, you're right, if looks more modern. I wonder though, if you should have waited until you have the hinges, in case they add width.

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    1. Thanks Keli, good advice! The pictures don't quite show, but the frames don't quite reach either end of the framing. I think all together there is a gap just over 1/16 on the sides. So I'm hoping this allows movement...but we will see!! I hope it's enough :)

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  7. Wow!This is something else. Amazing!

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  8. Great Work!! Love the folding doors.

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  9. Marvelous!! I, too, love the modern black. :]

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  10. I think you've made the right choice with thinner frames. It really has a light and airy feel to it. Looking forward to seeing more :0)

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  11. Your folding doors are turning out wonderful. I like the thinner frames and the black.

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