jplemons Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 We were visiting some friends out of town and they had a contractor come over to give an estimate on building an interior door that rides on barn-door hardware to conceal a washer and dryer in their kitchen. The door sounds like basic shaker style frame and panel that would match their walnut cabinets. One thing that through me off was when the contractor said he would use 1 1/2" thick walnut for the frames -- made up of two 3/4" pieces because he can't get 1 1/2" thick walnut? I didn't say anything. He would also use 3/4" ply for the panel. Another idea our friends had was that the panels be some sort of magnetic material, like stainless, so the could hang their kids' artwork up. The contractor said he would get back with his designer and do some drawings for some ideas. Base price for the nonmetal door is about $1800. I'm thinking I could do it for them and get some good experience out of it. Any thoughts on how to pull off a walnut-framed stainless steel panel door? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 Maybe he doesn't know where a real hardwood lumber supplier is in your area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 You could get some 20-24 gauge magnetic (2% or less nickel) stainless and apply it to a piece of 1/4" mdf for the panel. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 Yes, pay attention to Ken - Stainless steel is very often not magnetic, as some formulations have too little iron in them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jplemons Posted January 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 That's along the lines I was thinking. Use some 8/4 or so walnut for the frame and either MDF or 1/4 ply for the panel with a laminate of magnetic stainless. It sounds easier enough in theory, though I've never actually built a door, lol. I was thinking I could use my Domino for the joinery as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 There are a couple of good journals here about door building. Might be worth looking through them. However, an interior door is little more than a large cabinet door, and much easier to pull off than an exterior door. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted January 29, 2017 Report Share Posted January 29, 2017 You could build the door with 3/4"birch ply and use 3/4" walnut to build the frame. Just rip some 1/8" x 1 5/8" strips to cover the edges. Barn doors hang from the top and really don't need the heavy stock frame that a swinging door needs. The stainless edges could be hidden by a slight rabbet in the walnut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodbutcher74 Posted January 30, 2017 Report Share Posted January 30, 2017 Don't know what you're planning on using for barn door hardware but the commercially produced versions are exceedingly over priced. You can build your own with ordinary hardware available at most hardware stores. There are some You Tube videos on line that show how it's done. I believe Steve Carmichael has done one and so has Chris Notap. Just a suggestion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted January 30, 2017 Report Share Posted January 30, 2017 Don't forget to check out places like Tractor Supply for REAL barn-door hardware! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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