[boykster]

I have a 24" base cabinet with 2 doors and a 24" drawer that I'm going to convert to a 24" "deep drawer" type pullout so that I can easily access some plastic bulk food containers like these:



I currently have (2) 12" doors that I'm planning on re-using, attaching together to make a single "front" and then attaching 24" deep drawer hardware. I'm re-using my door fronts rather than purchasing a new 24" deep drawer front (that DulcineaK pointed out to me in another thread that are now available) because my Nexus Birch doors are a couple of years old, and are a darker color than the currently available ones. Its a slight difference, but it would be pretty noticeable. I considered going with 2 side by side 12" deep drawers, but you have to buy sets of 3 (1 deep 2 shallow) 12" drawers and at $65 a pop that makes for an expensive conversion project.

So I have 2 questions:

1) Does anyone have a template for converting a door into a drawer? Ie, measurements/spacing for attaching the drawer hardware and drilling the hole for the rod connection for the deep drawer? I guess I can always pull off the door from my pullout pantry if there isn't a template floating around but I figured I'd ask first

2) To join the doors, here's what I'm planning on doing: I'm going to use my table saw to cut a groove (blade width) in the middle of the edges of the doors that come together when closed. This groove will run from about 1" from the top to about 1" from the bottom of the door. I'm then going to buy some flat iron that fits in the groove and press the two doors together with the flat iron in between. I'll probably use some epoxy or other adhesive to make sure they don't pull apart. I considered using dowels drilled every couple of inches to join the doors, but don't know if that will be strong enough. I'll use the width of my 24" regular drawer front as a guide for the overall width needed.

Does that sound like a viable idea? I really don't want to have visible joining hardware, like a tie-plate on the back, or non finished plywood, etc.

Anyway, I'll post pics as I go. I'm definately going to test out my door joinery on some scrap pieces I have, and if that approach fails I'll be looking for more insight!

Cheers,

Rich

[boykster]

Oh, and I already have the plastic replacement pieces for the rods (left over from tall pantry install) that adapt to a screw rather than a drilled hole. I'll buy a few extra screws to attach those and the drawer mount bracket. Just need the template (or measurements), else I have to pull off my pantry door...

[kelly]

Sounds like a fun modification! It's not something I'm familiar with specifically, but sounds do-able. Glad to hear you're gonna give it a shot no matter what. Hope you'll share with us when you get it accomplished!

I seem to recall that there is a template for drilling- can anyone refresh my memory and help boyster out?

Kelly

[DulcineaK]

totally doable, is the nexus squared off or slightly rounded edge? that's my only concern.

i think there is a template floating around here somewhere. i'll try to locate it as well. (you're positive no joining hardware?)

[GardenOfDarwin]

Jenb posted pictures of the template for the 12" base pullout before the fiasco when the 2 different faulty templates were issued - a comedy of errors unto itself.

Here they are:

 

 

 

Click on them for the gallery entry - click again there to get the full-sized photo. You should be able to transfer the measurements.

Hope that helps!
Susan

[boykster]

Originally Posted by DulcineaK

totally doable, is the nexus squared off or slightly rounded edge? that's my only concern.

i think there is a template floating around here somewhere. i'll try to locate it as well. (you're positive no joining hardware?)

The nexus is slightly rounded corners. I'm going for a look where when closed, it will just look like double doors closed.

And yep, no joining hardware

I cut a scrap piece of a door in the manner I mentioned and went to home depot. I bought a nice 2" wide piece of flat steel that fits the slot perfectly. I should be able to do the conversion tomorrow!

[boykster]

Originally Posted by GardenOfDarwin

Jenb posted pictures of the template for the 12" base pullout before the fiasco when the 2 different faulty templates were issued - a comedy of errors unto itself.

Here they are:


(2 deleted for space)

 

Click on them for the gallery entry - click again there to get the full-sized photo. You should be able to transfer the measurements.

Hope that helps!
Susan

That's EXACTLY what I needed!!!! Thank you so much!

Rich

[boykster]

Well, I made the modification today, and it came out very nicely if I don't say so myself

Here's the beast to start with, I had one door off for measuring purposes:



I decided to use the hole pattern for the pantry after all rather than the template spacing for one key reason. I don't have any of the wood plugs for the hinge hole, and the screw hole falls right in that void. I DID use the template, just shifted it up the appropriate amount. Here's the pantry door I used as a template:


Here's a picture of my scrap drawer front with a slot cut:



And here's the flat bar test fit into the scrap slot. I used 2" wide 1/8" thick flat iron, purchased at Home Depot for about $7 (for 36" long section):



Here are the 2 doors slotted, and ready to assemble:



Different angle (don't worry about the scratches on the door, those are there from before and I just need to sand them and reseal them):



Here are the doors pressed together, before spacing:



And here they are getting spaced. I DID decide to use 2 small metal tie plates to keep the doors even. I chose to put 1 plate near the handle attachment, and the other one hidden by the drawer. (again, the scratches will be fixed)



Here's the template I made by combining the template that GardenOfDarwin posted with adjusted measurements for the pantry door.



Here's the other side with the hardware attached. I used butterscotch blank plates I bought from woodworkers hardware to cover over the hinge mount holes. they needed to be slightly trimmed for the drawer hardware to attach:



Here's the drawer attached to the newly created single drawer front/door



Here's the "look" I was hoping for...who knows what's hiding behind that unassuming face?



There we go!!!! Wifey will be happy (I hope)





Thanks for everybody's help!!!

Cheers,

Rich

[kisaacs]

Nicely done! That looks so much more useful! If you want to take usability one step further, you could unstack some of those bins and put an additional pull out drawer in that cabinet. That way, you wouldn't have to take the top bins out to get to the bottom ones.

Nice mod!

Kristen

[Gloria]

Bravo!

That is so cool that with IKEA you can change things around later to make it more functional as your needs change.