This was TRICKY... How to Make a Secret Door In Wainscoting: Part 2/2

In this video we continue with out secret door installation. You'll see how I used Rixon Pivot hardware on this install to conceal a secret hidden door in a wall of wainscoting.
0:00 Intro & Recap of Part 1
1:07 How to Match the Jamb Hardware with Door Hardware
2:56 How the Bottom Pivot Hardware Operates
3:45 How My Door Jamb With Integrate With Wainscoting
5:00 How to Install The Door and Position It Perfectly
6:51 Everything Must Be PERFECTLY IN PLANE!
7:46 Fastening Floor Pivot Hardware
8:21 How To Remove the Door With Pivot Hardware
8:48 Nailing Off The Jamb With Door Removed
9:20 Installing The Wainscoting Plywood
10:00 Laying Out & Planning 1x Material for Wainscoting
10:32 Biscuit & Pinch Dogs vs Pocket Hole Joinery???
12:52 Marking Layout Points With Material Tacked In Place
13:32 Assembling 1x Material On Floor With Pocket Hole Joinery
15:08 Installing 1x Pre-Assembled Unit
15:31 Biscuits & Pinch Dogs for Remaining Pieces
16:58 How I Installed The 1X Pieces Around The Hidden Door
22:49 How to Open & Close The Door???
24:09 Use Shadow Lines to Hide The Door
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[@rogerhodges7656]

Great execution on a challenging project. No one other than people who have done the work can understand that amount of planning and hard work that goes into making something like this work well.

[@heystarfish100]

Spencer is the total package. A carpenter of tremendous skill and vision, a fantastic problem solver and a incredible videographer and teacher.

[@HighPeaksHome]

As a proffessional carpenter ( who also works alone) it is a relief to watch someone who knows what they are doing. Instead of all the DIY

[@sirhogin1]

I was getting a headache just thinking about it

[@allannielsen4901]

Awesome job! Rixson and Jackson both make walking beam pivot hardware that is adjustable in 4 planes. Used more for commercial storefront doors, but still designed for 1 3/4” doors. Gives you the advantage of being fully adjustable.

[@kevinlucas8437]

Looks amazing !!! Love hidden doors especially with wainscoting !!! Beautiful job !!!

[@Stefan_Kawalec]

"It'll just kind of look like a mediocre wainscoting job which would be typical from other carpenters in my area" - so much meaning in so few words. It's a rare occasion that you show how proud of your work you are, but here we can see it. Excellent job. Your general contactor must be blissful that he used your services.

[@nathangrepke4193]

Awesome Spencer! This is an awesome explanation on how you made it perfect. Thank you!

[@jbb5470]

Appreciate the attention to detail in all of your projects and especially this one. The door turned out great and the video was entertaining and educational. It was very interesting to have your dialog on this process. Thank you for sharing your techniques and thoughts along the way!

[@angeladangela500]

Amazing work and craftsmanship! Even the way you put together your videos reflect your attention to detail - much respect and admiration for your work!

[@AlAmantea]

Love the way you did this! The pivot hinge is brilliant. Soss and Sugatune hinges are a PITA to work with. Those look very straightforward to do. With paint grade hidden doors, I usually try to do inswing if possible so you can fix the trim to hide the seams and reduce gaps. Spring hinges and magnets are your friend for that also to help keep things tightly closed. The way you did this one adds another arrow to the quiver, for sure! Love watching your videos. Thanks so much for all you do, Spencer!

[@michaelplays2449]

Looks Great !!!! Fantastic video,very enjoyable........thank you

[@christianpolytechnique7404]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and very detailed video which is a BIG plus! I am happy I found it.

[@justinhc123]

I have no clue why I continue to be blown away by your craftsmanship and attention to detail. I’ve watched so many of your videos already. But here I am 🤯

[@InsiderCarpentry]

LOL I appreciate the kind words!

[@pro-fitkitchensandbathrooms]

Great job u done there Spencer. 🙌🙌🙌it look amazing. 👏👏👏🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@adolphbracht2351]

You are very gifted. Thank you for sharing

[@edmondantes4551]

Every time I watch your videos I realize that I still have a lot to learn, for me it is the closest thing to being able to call a perfect job...

[@Billybob-go8hn]

For real I feel I have a grasp on a lot of things but there is always a lot more to learn!

[@MichaelCZUSA]

Thoughtful work as always Spencer. Thinking many steps ahead is one key that separates you from the pack. Thanks for taking the time and effort to share your trade. PS: And THANK YOU for the Jambmaster video!!!! Love mine!👍

[@AussieInSeattle]

Perfect timing for me on this video! Convinced me to go with pivot hinges over the "wide throw" hinge approach. The part that helped me was the routing of the top jamb piece as i am starting with finished drywall and need the door to flush up to that drywall at the ceiling. I'm looking at using the same rixson bottom setup but using the Jackson J580BS for the top of the door for adjustability since I'm a DIYer - more info below: My project is an 8 foot wide by 8 foot tall closet space that is already finished with drywall and no header - am going to make two 4x8 doors clad in 1/8 white oak and 3/4" deep slats so it will look like a slat wall that is somewhat popular at the moment. Since I'm a DIYer I'm trying to find the minimal risk approach. For others that have gone done this rabbit hole of clad hidden doors (wainscoating, slats, etc) the options I found were: - the rixson hardware shown here (their pivot door hardware catalog is great - appears the 128-3/4 was used here - just google that and the catalog link is on that products download section) or Wide throw hinges like the ones below - with the amount of overlap on the wainscoating in this video I doubt any of these would work though - if you have smaller overlaps they likely would work: - Soss 518 - Tectus TE 540 3D A8 - Sugatsune HES3D-W190 (not the E190 which is not wide throw) - McKinney MK80 (not really a wide throw but might work in some applications) Do your own googling of prices but out of all the options the Rixson is the cheapest for my project by far due to my door size at 48"x96" and about 100lbs - the fancy wide throw hinges are around the same price as the rixson but you need 2-3 of them per door - the Sugatsune and the Tectus are 3D adjustable which was an attractive option to me as a DIYer that doesn't have the skills of Spencer (😳at the "strong 32nd" statement). I am also looking at not using the "top of door" part of the Rixson 128-3/4 and instead use the Jackson J580BS - it is just a pivot hinge part for the top of your door but adds the ability to adjust the pin to/from the jamb - havent researched enough yet whether you can just buy the Rixson bottom portion separately to make this approach even cheaper.

[@tc9148]

So impressed. So helpful to see how you navigated the joinery challenges. I have one of those Kreg plates and clamps. Never thought about using it in the floor, pure genius.

[@reluctantchemist]

There is an old video from Kreg that they gave as dvd when you bought their jig. Gary Katz crawling on floor doing and laying out wainscoting in room. I have not found it on KZbin but it was really good for me to learn

[@billmillar7234]

Cleverly done..... simple design helps

[@ny3683syr]

Wonderful. I love it.

[@chairmakerPete]

Superb - thank you very much!

[@Mattieh00u]

Good stuff! I have to build one of these but fortunately it swings in! I've used soss stuff in the past but iil try the pivot hinge this time. This just made my job easier

[@jeffchandler5520]

I love it when a customer says it just wainscoting, it can't be that hard. When we do trim, I am so glad I paid attention in geometry class. Understanding how swing planes can affect things is crucial, especially when trying to hide doors and cubby's. Awesome video.

[@jonchalk3855]

And whoever said math and geometry would never be used in real life. Glad I kept up my studies.

[@hansangb]

@19:58 Shots fired, shots fired! I had to laugh when you said "it'll just look like a mediocre wainscoting job..." 😁 Really looks terrific and appreciated the thinking process that goes with it. I remember Richard of Finish Carpentry TV doing a hidden door using nickel gap shiplap. But the door swung inward so it was much easier to hide it (and the nickel gap hid it well)

[@darrellhoekstra8514]

Hahaha I was just gonna comment on this too. What a shame that all that hard work now looks like mediocre carpentry 😂. Great work Spencer. I got to build a hidden door once, but it was more mediocre than that lol

[@lougjolaj7839]

Spencer I need you to make videos every day 😂

[@wirenut003]

Fine smooth looking hideaway closet, like a safe room. Maybe install a heavy-duty lock from only inside to lock a person out of the room while you are inside.

[@DarrenHunter]

What people can design and build out is simply amazing. Jealous!!!

[@pshort8086]

Slick 🤘🏽

[@ronallen6578]

Beautiful job young man. That looks like something I sure would like to try, but I'm not working in construction and trim work anymore. My little house doesn't need anything like this, so I guess I'll just watch you and live vicariously through you. Thanks for sharing. How many hours did you have invested in this project--just curious. Nice job, Ron

[@AC.Prince]

👍 job

[@farmcat3198]

"...A mediocre wainscotting job which is typical of Carpenters in my area..." Great line!

[@sirhogin1]

a little jab for the locals

[@feralbeliever4248]

17:02 LOL! Been there, done that! Repeatedly!

[@user-pg7fc4eo3r]

Hi fc. thailand you the best😊😊

[@Laurelberninteriors]

I love this. "A strong 32nd of an inch."

[@zephyr1408]

Another great one! Your probably freaking out saying how can I come up with new material? Some of thee older videos systems hv changed , tools & tech hv changed so U could reproduce them and it would be a smash hit! Try it with an older critical job us finish guys do?? Like say built ins? Hinge systems for them and hv you ever done a video on front doors and thresholds ? As to this video I can tell you Spencer if the framers do a so so job or forget to crown their studs I am in trouble! That wall has to be framed solid ! And pre planning between you and the GC is critical! Obviously you are blessed & hv a great GC! I just got one and hv done a few houses for him and wow! Such a huge diff to hv custom homes to work in! Knock’em dead Spencer I enjoy every video you do! Pro to pro!

[@kimeeegngarden4887]

Pls share - where can I find a link to get to your Amazon store front? I'd like to purchase that Kreg clamp metal plate. This 2 part series was recommended by Interior Designer Laurel Bern and it was EXACTLY what I needed to see...a detailed, up close look at how a hidden door is constructed. Intuitively, I knew a pivot point was necessary, but you showed just what I needed to see to plan my project. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'd like to support your channel with my Kreg purchase.

[@Kgharney427]

These two videos were super helpful. Looking to do a inswing stain grade door. How do you do the trim at the bottom so that you don’t see the seems and don’t have to step over the trim?

[@franciscocedillo3452]

Like always great work both with the carpentry but especially with explaining as much as possible. Curious to know, Do you have the total amount of time this project took. Including the planning, sketching, etc?

[@aaronkuhns6211]

The clamp you used for assembly was it homemade or is it one that can be purchased. And as usual amazing carpentry. Thank you!

[@dylandembeck4344]

would you do the same technique for stain grade wall paneling assembly?

[@henrypeisch5289]

“A strong 32nd”… wow. Spence, you work so close.

[@ellaarchbold8683]

👍👍

[@Slowhand871]

I countersink magnets to grasp hidden panels .

[@JT_70]

Is that an air register in the floor of the closet? If so, how is return air handled?

[@garyboulier834]

I was wondering why on the last part of this video when you were attaching the last piece of vertical wainscoting it looks like there was no 1/4” plywood on that corner sheet rock wall. Was that piece thicker or was it rabbited out to go over the edge of the existing 1/4”?

[@joeychgo]

How about inset magnets to keep it closed?

[@pdcro1247]

Do you have to shim up the bottom pivot to accommodate the carpet? Another excellent video!!!!

[@InsiderCarpentry]

No, with the way the hardware came it set the bottom of the door about 1.5" off the subfloor which was ideal.

[@viktorodarchuk8980]

@@InsiderCarpentry so it could just be popped of and installed over new floors?

[@1974jrod]

Have you thought about going cordless on your mitersaws?

[@StephanieStults]

How do you decide where you need your pivot point to be?

[@RobertRedland]

DeWalt makes a cordless biscuit joiner🤯

[@goatgoat5547]

same thought its new (I've been meaning to buy the Makita and run an adapter - but l guess l stalled long enough)

[@Brian-uh6dq]

Any chance of seeing it all painted?

[@MrMayer5oh]

Did you use the Makita biscuit jointer before the dewalt came out? Wondering if you like one better

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Makita was very underpowered and I have no makita batteries. Dewalt has been great power and I have their batteries.

[@johndudley2347]

Are those all 1" x 4" (except for the end piece)?

[@kellysaunders1663]

I'm working on putting in one of these for my pantry. Can you please share your link so I can buy my hardware so you can get credit?

[@hak1th]

Small magnet will help

[@tektonwooddesign3390]

How do I purchase those hinges? Is there a link?

[@Raul28153]

How do ya like that lumber that's made up of cutoffs? I worry that the joints'll telegraph through paint.

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Love it. It paints up nicely when done properly.

[@Raul28153]

@@InsiderCarpentry and stays that way for years?

[@FallLineJP]

11:40 - Noob question. When you say “scribe it to the wall/ceiling”, what does that mean exactly? You are setting the stiles/rails to be level/plumb so there is probably some variable gap with the ceiling. Not sure what “scribe” would mean in this context? Thanks!

[@bigneilh]

Does he clarify which model the hinges are? I know Rixon but which one?

[@cjboulier]

Why does the right hinge size have no plywood over drywall? Can’t figure out what you did there with that final piece since it didn’t appear flush with the jamb.

[@InsiderCarpentry]

If I remember correctly it has something to do with the the drywall being out of plane. I think this was due to the mud/drywall corner bead build up. That area was so far out of plane with the rest of the wall that I actually had to leave the plywood off in that area.

[@harrisleck3960]

Spencer, if a basic sold core door would cost say $400, how much would your hidden door cost inclusive of labor of course.

[@og832]

Do you have plans you can share?

[@jeffburger786]

Was the door solid core luann

[@brandongomez1842]

Why is there such a big reveal on the right side of the pivot?

[@rgtn2441]

Nice .. unfortunately the finger scoop gives it away

[@nafod32]

Nice kneepads

[@GOLDFOLDS1]

ah.. yeah. a HIDDEN DOOR FOR A 'LITTLE GIRLS' BEDROOM... ?? sounds perfectly normal. good grief. creepy af