The Secrets to Designing Secret Doors: Hidden Door In Wainscoting With Pivot Hardware Part 1 of 2

In this video we look at key considerations for designing a hidden door. We talk about why pivot hardware is ideal for secret doors. I show how to go about installing Rixon Pivot hardware on this project I am starting. This hidden door will be concealed in a wall of wainscoting.
0:00 Into to Designing Hidden Doors
0:28 Pivot Points Are The Secret
1:55 Paint Grade vs Stain Grade Hidden Doors
3:01 My Current Hidden Door Project Design
4:26 Secret Door Design is Incredibly Challenging
6:49 Why I Like Rixon Pivot Hardware
7:52 How to Remove a Door With Pivot Hardware
10:12 Putting A Door Back On With Pivot Hardware
10:45 Starting the Process of Installing Pivot Hardware
11:25 Making a Template to Route the Hardware Mortise
12:50 Setting Precise Mortise Depth on Router Using Depth Stop
15:06 Routing The Mortise Into The Jamb
17:31 Drilling Holes & Cutting Slot for Pivot Mechanism
17:56 How the Finished Mortise Should Look
18:34 Using Drafting Program To Design Exact Pivot Location
19:12 Skinning the Door for Hidden Wainscoting Detail
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[@wgush2556]

42 years in construction and you nailed it. thank you.

[@hansangb]

@9:26 I can't believe they would use a standard screw! 😂 And @10:07 See....it would drive me nuts! LOL

[@josephwofford5090]

Spencer dropping knowledge AGAIN

[@tomgilberg8038]

Sweet tip on setting the router depth!

[@tanner9072]

Can't wait to see Part 2! Would you mind giving us a link to the hardware you use?

[@kevintconsidine]

This is brilliant and covers all my questions. 10/10

[@aarongreenlee7867]

Spencer, great video as always! I have always been fascinated by secret doors. I am really enjoying this little series.

[@kiwdwks]

Thanks again Spencer. Appreciate your videos/expertise.

[@garytrahan4530]

This gave me an idea for my daughter and son in law on their new house. They have a Secret room in the closet. Will do something with a mirror this way. Looking forward to Part 2. Thanks for the excellent explanations on all aspects of what you do.

[@GearheadDaily]

This looks fun! I have this project for myself coming up soon.

[@donwilliams3626]

Very good explanation of secret door installation. I agree using pivot door hinges is the secret to success. BTW I like your custom glue spreader too!

[@clintprice2123]

That was a very interesting video, it’s a very clever design to attach the door.

[@matthewgoetz4988]

Love this video. These are the most fun to watch

[@thomastarner8683]

Same pivot hinge I used for a hidden door book shelf I built a few years ago. Very good quality and very heavy duty.

[@johnekhaos]

What is the model number for the hinge you used? Thanks in advance

[@user-dw3ge1ty9m]

Very impressive work though, appreciate this in depth video!

[@davesdoorsandhomeimproveme5012]

Love it always like learning something new been doing doors 25 years and never have do one but I’m in

[@MrTooTechnical]

Awesome work. Great vid

[@2979paul]

Great work

[@dtna]

Love your videos!

[@IndianaJBird]

Nice video again. It is easier to set the router to “zero” after the template is set; just lower the bit down to the surface and then you only have to hold the hinge plate to set the routing depth.

[@joes5096]

Cool episode. Can’t help but wonder if flooring is going to be a tell as it looks set up for carpet. Leads me to think about a baseboard curb. Would like to see some Indiana Jones push release to unlock. I heard rumor Pablo Escobar killed all his architects after each villa was done.

[@henryshepherd769]

Lots of helpful info in this video. Thanks! I'm building a tall shallow cabinet with doors that will hide a cabinet behind it. It will swing out and to the left. It's about 7" deep. I plan on using pivot hinges. But I do not have sketchup or any other software to help me determine the correct pivot point for such a deep door. Can't find anything helpful online either. How do you determine the point?

[@peaksandvalleysbuildingco]

What kind of headphones are those? Love the channel 🤙🤙

[@bobcougar77]

Before 8:09 "This guy is way better than me" 8:09 - 8:20 "That's me!" after 8:20 "This guy is way better than me"

[@Nest2309]

Once I had to install a rixson system for a dozen of huge doors and the problem was that the client wanned more like self closing door and I suggested sled clossing conceal hinge(SoSs) I freaking did a colonoscopy to every single door . Lesson: keep your mouth shut sometimes is better!!!

[@rinomite.]

Could it work to run the trim on the strike side continuous past the top of the door so the joint is up higher?

[@Blackcreekstudios]

What is the smallest width door that can be used with this hardware? I assume the pivot uses up sone of the opening space .

[@jerryirk3398]

How do you compensate for carpet? What if you haven't decided on the type of flooring yet? Does this not need to be considered before making the door?

[@nealwalden3543]

What is the Rixon hinge model you're using?

[@tylermcginnis9277]

Anyone ever figure this out?

[@marks3478]

Rixson Pivot hardware is crazy expensive!

[@dannyfigueroa8092]

I am an amateur wood worker and I would like to know what is that wood you use for all your projects? It looks like poplar that's been joined together.

[@miqueaspromontorio3]

I think he said he uses poplar in his other videos

[@traviscaudill8945]

His client when he sees his "secret" door broadcast on youtube! 😳😱😩

[@clintprice2123]

As long as the location is never divulged it’s a non issue. I worked in a house where there were some famous works of art and I told the homeowner I wanted to take pictures for my portfolio and I’d try and keep the pieces out of my shots. She said as long as your never state where this house is I can take any pictures I want. There was an actual pictures done by Whistler and Monet there. It is a 14,000 sq ft home.

[@clintprice2123]

@Phlebas how did you guess that? Haha

[@clintprice2123]

@Phlebas not following that reply but wondering how you guessed the state

[@joshleveque1136]

Plot twist, it's a closet and nothing else.

[@joestrunk6623]

building a secret bookcase door. Would this pivot hinge work?

[@chrisroyce8934]

What model of Rixon hardware would you use for a hidden closet with a bookshelf front?

[@harrisleck3960]

Does anyone know what this would cost. Let's say you will be using a solid core door. How much more to get this done?

[@todc8986]

why is there a drywall screw at the bottom of the jamb?

[@googlesbitch]

All hidden doors have a weakness and that is the wear or dirt mark left after frequent use.

[@lizyoung7299]

how did he make the template???

[@christopherr7195]

How does none of that warp?

[@Nest2309]

Cmon guys , the black screw probably is temporary until floor goes in

[@robyoung8309]

Model # for hinge?

[@LaCrestaLife]

Where are you located?

[@thatguy8005]

I saw one in a guys house that looked exactly like a bookshelf.

[@hillmillenia]

Rixon hardware is very expensive...the only other consideration is a way to lock the door without an obvious "lock" ...perhaps an electronic lock of sorts?

[@FallLineJP]

“Secret doors. They’re my jamb.”

[@Icantball67]

I like the video. However nothing like a piece of hardware being ruined by a slotted screw! Phillips maybe, but Robertson or Torx all the way.

[@Mark_The_Mayven]

Aluminum store front hardware.. Works good, until the teter-rod freezes in the header, but in residential applications it shouldn’t really happen, unless it’s installed near a pool using chlorine..Nice vid !

[@doug.ritson]

Another great vid Spence. Hate to sound like the safety police, but. . . . would like to see you wear eye protection when routing, or edit it out when you don't wear it.

[@jeffjackson3356]

No

[@miqueaspromontorio3]

This is how you can tell if your contractor might grow his own weed....

[@Quickened1]

That recessed handle on the trim edge kind of defeats the purpose of a hidden door! 10:51

[@InsiderCarpentry]

It's a closet in a little girls room...we're not hiding Fort Knox here.

[@Quickened1]

@@InsiderCarpentry ahhh... Well, it looks great, I guess a little girl doesn't need a secret door!

[@dustinapetersen]

When in doubt… it’s ‘when’, not ‘whenever’

[@noahb.7838]

Are you hiring?

[@harryamos8287]

What kind of flooring going in?

[@davidkramer6585]

Secret doors! What's up Spencer are you doing remodels for obama and the biden's?

[@whitetailsup760]

So ur still letting them come through lol a joke

[@chrisbriley]

I want to make a hidden door on my porch that has a mini fridge behind it, but the wall is going to be stoned, can you suggest to me a strong enough hinge to support that?