Build a Custom Bookcase Secret Door with Murphy Door’s Pin Hinge System
You don’t have to live in a Victorian mansion or a castle to have a secret passage or a hidden room concealed behind a bookcase. You can buy a complete kit with everything you need to build a bookcase that opens like a door, or you can buy just the hardware and design your own custom hidden door. Murphy Door provides a cut list and instructions to build a Bookcase that is a Flush Mount Door.
Murphy Door’s patented pin hinge system is for experienced carpenters interested in a DIY door project. Our pins will support a single door, up to 300 pounds, and function with ease.
Building custom cabinetry calls for skill and experience.
Building custom cabinetry that looks good is not easy. If you’ve never done it before, this is not the project to start with. If you hire someone to build a secret door for you, make sure that you get someone who knows what they are doing.
Building bookcases and cabinetry is a skilled profession. If you choose to design and build your own bookcase, Murphy Door CAN NOT provide dimensions, clearances, or other specs. We CAN NOT aid with the design or customization of a door or assist with the construction process.
The complete hinge kit includes these parts:
- Hinge Pin with Ball Lock
- Hinge Pin Removal Tool
- Upper Jamb Hinge
- Top Hinge Plate
- Bottom Jamb Hinge
- Bottom Pivot Hinge
- Friction Door Catch
- Poly Wedge
- 24) Flat Head Phillips
- Sharp Point 1″ Screws
- 8) Flat Head Phillips
- Sharp Point 3/4″ Screws
- 8) 3″ Screws (for left hinge installation)
The Murphy Door Hinge Kit also includes templates for positioning for the doors they build.
MURPHY DOOR Hidden Hinge Hardware – Easy DIY Hidden Door System
DIY Bookcase to use with Murphy Door Hinges
Custom Secret Door Materials List
This list is for a 36” x 82” door. The kit comes with additional sample material and cut lists and you can modify for a custom size.
36”x82” Murphy Door Material List
(1) 4’ x 8’ x 3/4” Sheet (use good material for bookcase)
(1) 4’ x 8’ x 1/2” Sheet (use good material for back)
Edge Banding as desired
(20’) 3/4” x 4” Trim Materials
(1) 3/4” x 8” x Door Width
(16.5) 4 9/16” x 3/4” Stock for Jamb
(24’) 2 1/4” Stock for Face Frame
(1 Box) Brad Nails for Face Frame and Trim
(1 bag) 1 1/2” Screws Screws for Back
(1) Kreg Tool: Fasten sides of bookcase to top, middle, lower shelves if you do not want to see fasteners
(1) Bottle Wood Glue
ALL measurements are for building a bookcase with kreg screws and fastening the back to the back of rails. There are no calculations for doors with mortised or dadoed back set.
Custom Secret Door Cut List
36” Flush Mount Bookcase Cut List
Face Frame
Sides – (2) 2 1/4” x 78 1/2”
Top, Middle, Bottom – (3) 2 1/4” x 30 1/4”
Door Jamb (3/4” stock)
Sides – (2) 4 9/16” x 80 7/8”
Top – (1) 4 9/16” x 36”
Bottom – (1) 7” x 36”
Trim (3/4” stock)
Sides – (2) 3 3/4” x 80 1/8”
Top – (1) 3 3/4” x 42 1/2”
Bookcase
Sides (3/4” stock) – (2) 7 1/2” x 77 3/4” x 3/4”
Top, Middle, Bottom (3/4” stock) – (5) 7 1/2” x 31 1/4” x 3/4”
Top and Bottom are double thickBack (1/2” stock) – (1) 32 3/4” x 77 3/4” x 1/2”
Back is 3 1/4” smaller than door jamb
Plans with Measurements
Elevation View Plan for 36″ Flushmount Bookcase Secret Door built with Murphy Door Hinges
Section View Plan for 36″ Flushmount Bookcase Secret Door built with Murphy Door Hinges
Top View Plan for 36″ Flushmount Bookcase Secret Door built with Murphy Door Hinges
These measurements are for a standard Murphy Door bookcase with an 8” overall depth.
Murphy Door does not offer any assistance on custom doors or changes to our measurements, including but not limited to hinge layout. All custom changes are the responsibility of the customer. Do not contact Murphy Door for assistance if these measurements have been changed or you are doing a custom build.
The Murphy Door Hinge Kit also includes templates for positioning for the doors they build. You can use this as a reference for the door you build. Modify the final position to fit your custom project.
Jamb thickness, jamb clearance, bookcase width, and bookcase depth will effect final hinge position for proper function. We recommend making a cardboard template, based on your finished bookcase, prior to installation. Doing so will allow you to make necessary adjustments for the door to pivot correctly.
Murphy Door Hidden Door Solutions Flush Mount Hinge Kit Instructions
Once you have finished making your cuts and you have all of the parts, you assemble your bookcase door the same way the kits are assembled.
Step-by-Step Build a Secret Room Door with a Kit >
You can download these instructions on MurphyDoor.com/pages/instruction-manuals.
You can also get BILT® 3D Interactive Instructions for Murphy Door. You can get the Bilt App at the App Store or Google Play.
User friendly, 3D, interactive installation instructions can be viewed on your tablet or phone. Scan the QR code to download the Hardware Kit Installation app (available for most iOS and Android devices).
While the app won’t give dimensions, being able to enlarge, flip, and rotate the images so you can see angles of the door and hinges may prove helpful to those building their own cabinet. It may also be helpful to view our Flush Mount Unassembled Door Installation app.
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