How to Build a Pocket Door Cabinet--Part 2: Entertainment Center Series

Check out how I build this pocket door cabinet as the second part of the Entertainment Center Series!
If you saw my last video, you'll know I've been building a large entertainment center for our local library. I'm covering it in three pieces (so three videos) to show how each piece can stand alone as it's own piece of furniture OR put it all together to make the complete entertainment center.
My last video covered the 6 drawer dresser on the base of the project and today's video covers the two pocket door cabinets I build to go on each side of that dresser.
This is a SUPER simple cabinet designed with pocket doors that open up and slide back into the cabinet. I had never done pocket doors before, so it was a learning experience. I'll share my tips in the video.
If you're interested in building your own, I've got the plans here:
www.woodshopdi...
I've included a complete materials list in the link above, but if you're interested in the exact pocket door hardware I used, here's an affiliate link to it:
amzn.to/3jcHthF
Also, these hinges may eliminate the gap issue I had with my door. I used generic inset hinges, but I found these hinges apparently made for use with the pocket door slides. I realized this after posting the video:
(aff link) amzn.to/3jcB31Y

[@leannea9606]

You make it look so easy... I'm talking to "professional" contractors to build me hidden home office using pocket doors and they cannot imagine it!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Maybe a picture can help? 😅 I’ve found in my experience, sometimes contractors play dumb when they just don’t want to do a particular job or add a detail 😅

[@polrbr734]

You need to search for cabinet makers in the area. Contractors specialize in building walls and houses. Cabinet makers build furniture.

[@robertolsen1633]

Murphy Door

[@kellycooper2082]

This was just what I looking for! I needed something to hide my VR computer and monitor in the living. So I adjusted the measurements and it turned out amazing!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I love that! So glad this was helpful!

[@ANTONIOcarpintero]

As a begginer i started building with scrap and palet wood. You motivate me to build a dresser with new material. Your designs looks so simple but beautiful and not to expensive.

[@DMAG-3200]

Hi Shara, the doors are a cool touch. And to back or not to back that is the question. 🤔🙂 have a great day !!!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! Haha. Have a great day as well 👍

[@MeadowID]

Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial, i newly got customer who want to build this pocket door concept, lucky to got your video. God may bless you 🙏🏻

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Great to hear! Hope this is helpful!

[@MeadowID]

@@WoodshopDiaries very helpful, and i will make this tutorial coz no one share it in my country, and i will mention you as my guidence 🙏🏻

[@Chris-pf2ep]

Nicely done Shara, thanx for the extra details on the hinges. Keep up the good work.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!!

[@carlosmol62]

I like this series, You do so easy to learn carpentry.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much for following along!

[@carriejohnson7816]

Great work!!! Thanks for always mentioning problems you run into. That’s very helpful!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! I’m happy to share the good with the bad. There’s plenty of both to go around haha 😂

[@foos.998]

I’m loving those pocket doors, Shara! I also love when you admit you were too lazy to do something. I get like that a lot!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

It happens to the best of us 😉😂😂

[@katimillard5924]

I can't even begin to describe how amazing these are!!! This entertainment center is just beautiful and I love how it's made in separate pieces, because then it's able to be moved around easily! I really want to attempt to make the pocket door cabinets!

[@moonwolf3378]

You are a beast…how did you acquire all these skills? Total admiration

[@diyhuntress]

This looks AMAZING (as per usual) and that storage solution is GENIUS. Love that you walked us through that hinge problem. Now I know what to look for if I use those in the future. Thank you! 💓

[@sheilaeish]

Hi Shara I love the details and close shots. I'm learning slot. Keep up the great projects.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you! Glad it’s helpful!

[@bunnyluvdesigns9476]

Lazy girl... nice build Shara. I love your designs, and it was nice to see you use those dowels to secure the panels on the sides.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks!

[@ChipyRose]

Impressive skills!!! Wow! Thank you for showing how to do this!

[@jacoboalamea717]

Good job Shara Beautiful proyect

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!

[@timdyer7692]

Nice build! I'm enjoying your series and look forward to seeing the next video. I like the back you added, and agree the hinges can be tricky to get just right.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much!! I’ll hopefully have the last piece of the series out next week 🤞

[@JayBergCustoms]

That stained plywood is very convincing - looks great! I noted you also have some pretty killer deltoids there.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks! I love using plywood when I can. It not great for everything, but it is for a lot of things.

[@WillysPerformanceCycleCtr]

Nice build! The doors look great and are very suitable for this project! Thanks!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!! It was fun to try something different for this. The hardware is pricey, but I’m becoming a fan!

[@rynovlad3112]

Hi! To get rid of that gap, you have to replace the half overlay hinges with standard overlay hinges! Great videos, good work 🛠🧱⚙

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Hi! Actually these slides weren’t designed to be used with regular concealed hinges. I’m using inset hinges here with the adjustment all the way out. However, I realized after the fact that these slides were designed to be used with a specific type of hinge. I’ve detailed this information in the blog post on the description. 👍

[@tomruth9487]

I have only done flipper doors a couple times. But the right hardware is always an issue. I have a good local cabinet hardware supply that can often answer a lot of hardware questions. They deliver the next day. Something that Amazon cannot do.

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome work Shara! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks so much! 👍

[@ohcrapitsmrG]

Great design

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!

[@derrick1125]

That looks great. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks for watching!

[@jasonthomas1760]

You just saved me money and heartache, and probably building materials I would have burned in the firepit out of frustration. Was wanting pocket style doors on my office desk I'm building but that gap would drive me batty.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

If you mind the door gap, but want pocket doors, I’d suggest overlay doors instead. 👍

[@rochdamohmmed1079]

I like the way you work

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks 👍

[@user-fd8ox5lz1u]

Very nice and very detailed.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!

[@user-fd8ox5lz1u]

@@WoodshopDiaries You are welcomed, always.

[@mikesgarage5066]

Love the pocket doors! Very cool!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!!

[@eddievangilder8081]

Excellent video!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@dennisd6976]

Hi Shara, nicely done great work I love it ,the hinges that you used. There are similar hinges like them that will give you more adjustment Up and down Side to side.That will fix the margin .

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!

[@johnkelley9877]

The cabinets look great! This has been a really interesting build series. Thanks for sharing this.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!! Part 3 should be out next week 🤞

[@AngieWilliamsDesigns]

Great project. Enjoying the series. I like the size of these. I think if I build one I will pass on the doors. LOL. I already struggle with doors as it is. But I do love how they look

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Haha i understand! Doors are sometimes (who am I kidding..all the time ha!) a pain.

[@BronkBuilt]

Nice job. I've never used the sliding pocket door hinges. Good advice for when I do use them.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

They’re pretty cool. This was my first experience with them and I’ll definitely use them again

[@tomruth9487]

@@WoodshopDiaries We used to call them "flipper doors" since there is really no "pocket" There are also pocket flipper doors and bi-folding pocket flipper doors sold by Hawi. But that's a whole other level. Nice looking unit you made.

[@jchong9799]

You are sooo talented and cool. I like everything you do. I wish I have the same skills

[@Joey.Darkwoods-Studio]

Nice work!!

[@MCsCreations]

Really fantastic work, Shara! I didn't even know this kind of doors existed! But they seem great! 😃 Nicely done!!! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I had seen them before but never thought about trying them until this project. It adds some extra work but I think it was worth it. Really fun little detail haha. Thanks for watching!

[@danielleboon1543]

Nice tutorial, thanks for sharing

[@JoseHernandez-yv3nt]

Hermosos todos tus muebles!!!!

[@agustinlara9165]

Sos una genia!!!! Muy buenos trabajos

[@eeodle]

Good job kid keep it up

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you 👍

[@shirazunurideen8710]

Nice work

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!

[@georgevalenzuela2489]

Very nice!

[@avisato9950]

nicely done. it isn’t just those hinges. that’s a pretty typical problem using concealed hinges with pocket door hardware. the only way to get them closer to the edge is to inset the back of the hinge closer to the outside of the casing - as you likely discovered, moving the hole on the door doesn’t really change anything. that usually involves quite a bit of messing around and cutting into the mounting plate and to get it to swing properly you may also have to cut a groove in the inside of the outside panels, which is just a huge amount of extra work for an eighth extra gap :)

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I’ve never worked with the pocket door hardware before this project so that’s good to know for future reference. I was getting so frustrated haha. I don’t mind a gap as long as it’s consistent, so I’ll just keep that in mind for next time. Thanks for the feedback!

[@avisato9950]

Shara Woodshop Diaries yeah they can be somewhat frustrating. personally i find it easier to do pocket doors with inset grooves and metal rods to avoid all the screwing around. :)

[@ZenDreaming60]

Avi Sato could you please post a link to the inset grooves and metal rods so I can get an idea of what they look like? Shara, I just found this hardware tonight on Amazon, I am so happy that you made a video using them!! Great job! I want to use the largest set I can find to use on 2 doors to cover a pantry/ appliance closet in a small house!

[@avisato9950]

Zen Dreaming the rods would be location-dependent. in japan, we are all metric so they’d be 8mm or 10mm steel rods. in america, they’d be 1/4 or 3/8”. whatever your hardware store has should be perfectly fine.

[@sevinfurly9346]

Great.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thank you!

[@firstglobal2178]

Hi, very good and beautiful work, design and concept. Please share the details of the sliding mechanism.

[@andreafaggiano6559]

Finally 1080p! 😃 Nice work 😎

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks! It’s the exact same set up I’ve been using so not sure what the difference is 🤷‍♀️

[@andreafaggiano6559]

@@WoodshopDiaries The previous videos are with 720p resolution while now it is 1080p therefore with higher quality. 💪🏼

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Right but I didn’t change anything in my filming, editing, or uploading process. So not sure how there’s a difference.

[@andreafaggiano6559]

@@WoodshopDiaries I thought you had changed the video camera but everything is as before ahaha. Maybe some settings have changed otherwise it is not explained what happened but better this way. Your works are excellent and also deserve excellent video quality! 👏🏼

[@jeremysouthard]

Hey Shara, I'm loving this series! I noticed the distressing at the beginning and was wondering - was that a request of the library or a design choice?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

It was a design choice. The inspiration piece we roughly based the design off of had some distressing. So I did some, too. But my thought was that as kids interact with this piece and it gets used, it’s going to get some bumps and bruises. If I “bruise it” a little from the start, any scratch or ding it gets later won’t be as noticeable and will just add to the character.

[@Z-add]

So the pocket doors require a special slides. It cannot be done using a regular drawer slide?

[@ronniestanley75]

I am getting ready to modify a entertainment cabinet and want these sliders. Or, I wanted them. I wanted them until I saw that they are $60 for one pair and the ones she is using are no longer available. It's okay though because I have two pairs of 18" bearing sliders and I think I can cut them to function in the same exact way.

[@nonehandle688]

The hinges you used have an adjustment screw that should close the gap.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Yes, they’re adjusted all the way and still had the gap. It’s because of the rail...it pushes the door further into the cabinet. Even with the adjustment all the way back, the gap was too big

[@frogeyjuice]

I want to use the slide hardware you used but my doors are 18 inches wide and I see the hardware is 16 inches. Does that mean the doors will stick out a bit even when they are slid in? I also see a 22” option made by the same company on Amazon but the depth of my dresser is exactly 22” so I don’t know if that will work. I’m new to all this handy stuff and I appreciate any answers :))

[@RPfields8946]

Parabéns

[@danyelle6525]

I’d really want to know if you can make it so they slide along the outside ??? Please!! I’ll be waiting for your answer..

[@chetnash5991]

If my g/f sees these videos I’m going to need a another lockdown!

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Haha 😂😂 the way things are going, you may get one whether you want it or not 😅

[@user-ze6dz6my4y]

عمل رائع جميل جدا 👍

[@naimali6357]

Good

[@jeremygodwin8701]

switch your hinges to "full crank"

[@WoodshopDiaries]

They were fully adjusted. I linked the correct type of hinges intended to work with these slides in the description.

[@antheap4253]

Glad i found this video, I was about to order these pocket slide. Does anyone know how to solve the gap issue ?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Yes, you just have to order the hinges designed to use with these. They’re linked in the description.

[@DennyHayescarpentry]

Hi Shara. I came here because I am fitting pocket door mechanisms for the first time in the couple of weeks , your video is very helpful and I think it’s fantastic to see a female working with wood and it would be great to see even more doing this . Just a question is a stop required to stop the doors going too far into the carcass or is there something in the mechanism that takes care of that . Thank you 🙏 Continued success from Ireland 🇮🇪 🔨

[@WoodshopDiaries]

So glad this was helpful! Good luck on your build! No stop is required...the slides will prevent them from sliding off the back. 👍

[@DennyHayescarpentry]

@@WoodshopDiariesThanks for the reply 🙏 Sorry I did not word my question very well , I mean when the doors are in the closed position what keeps them in line with the face of the cabinet and not go too far in ? Thanks 🙏

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Oh, I see what you’re saying now. I added a small scrap block at the top to keep them from turning in too far. I have to do that on most every inset door I install

[@DennyHayescarpentry]

Perfect 👌 Thank you and continued success in what you are doing , it really cones across that you live what you do 👍 so do I . Love and blessings from Ireland 🇮🇪👍🙏

[@acrolyteswood5517]

THIS IS AMAZING.. but I was wondering is it possible to this for a push type cabinet.. I want to have a cleaner look.. the one without handles.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

I’m sure you can find some push latches to install inside the cabinet. This wouldn’t affect its ability to slide into the cabinet on the door slides.

[@kmk.c4917]

I have small kitchen really small...every time I open the pantry I need to move everything

[@steenfraosterbro3268]

Hi Share. Enjoy your videos. You do realise that the hinges have adjustment screws that will open and close the gap?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks! Yes I’m aware. I have them adjusted all the way back in an attempt to narrow the gap, but even adjusted as far as they go, the gap was still wide. The slide mounting plates push the door out further than just mounting them directly into the cabinet

[@Thebrent_1]

Have you tried using full overlay hinges? Looks like you're using half overlay or inset hinges. I haven't fitted a pocket sliding door before but so I'm not certain. However I'm planning on doing something similar in a few weeks and I'm fairly confident that's the problem. Unless I'm missing something?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

These are full overlay, but I realized after the fact that these slides apparently have special hinges that are supposed to be used with them. I’ve linked them in the blog post: www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-pocket-door-cabinet/

[@prajaktashivarkar7019]

Are the pocket slide hinges durable

[@WoodshopDiaries]

They have been so far 👍 I haven’t used them on other projects to judge from, but this one’s still holding up fine

[@doooud]

Would sinking the track some into the side have helped your issue? Say an 1/8 inch or so?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Yes, recessing the slides would have helped some, I believe.

[@nabillashah56]

Oh no, the pocket door hardwares are unavailable on Amazon! Where else can I find?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Oh no! I’m not sure…Rockler is usually another good option for hardware. Maybe check there?

[@chadizdroid]

Cool project.. am I the only one noticing the Kioti tractor in the background?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks! I’m unsure though what the tractor has to do with anything in this video?

[@chadizdroid]

@@WoodshopDiaries First time on your channel.. will be watching more. keep it up ;)

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks! You’ll probably be seeing the tractor in the background for a while. I share my workspace with it 😂😂

[@jfred1924]

Great job on the cabinet, but very disappointed we didn't get to see the rain boots : ( I understand it's a fashion thing, and it might clash with the cabinet..

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Haha it has nothing to do with fashion. If you can’t tell, I’m not much on fashion 😂 but it’s just way too hot for rain boots right now 😅 don’t worry, they’ll be back in the fall! 😂😂😎

[@chewy1217]

is that just a regular stapler you are using for the backs?

[@WoodshopDiaries]

It’s just a bostitch hand stapler. Like an upholstery one.

[@valientedesesperado]

you are beaty

[@preitychoudhary6889]

Is this telescopic channel or what???

[@irvinwittmeier5208]

!;-)

[@tonyvinesguitarsandmusic]

Those shorts are not safe for shop work. Bad example.

[@WoodshopDiaries]

Thanks 👍