Murphy Bed Double Door Storage Modification

[Saberwolf 700]

Looking through old posts on storage options under the Murphy bed and came across this post from a couple of years ago.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...d-35535-2.html

Going to Lowe's tomorrow to get parts and going this route. For securing the new "doors", I am going to try two stronger magnets first to see if this holds. There is a metal sofa frame that runs the length of the sofa so that should be good.
If someone has other pic's of this type of modification, might help me before I tear into it.
I will post pictures' of the work in stages. Just hope I don't screw the fabric cover up, everything else is replaceable.

[Saberwolf 700]

Another look at iluvlcy's mod.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post793757

After sleeping on it I think I am going to go with a top hinge on tubular metal sofa frame. No cutting of the board or material and use cabinet magnets on sides to keep it from swinging.
I'm off to Lowe's and hopefully pic's tonight.

[tipakajohn]

Keep us updated!! I cant believe I never saw this post in the past. What a great mod. The DW has approved so it looks like it will be added to my list of work to be done this spring.

[Saberwolf 700]

Got it done, very easy to do. Less than two hour's from start to finish and half that time was pulling all the old staples out.
Here is the process.

1: Removed both hook's that hang board on sofa frame.
2: Removed all staples.
3: Cut board in half and re stapled padding on front.
4: Cut fabric in half and stapled (1/4" staples) to both boards.
5: Attached hinges to boards.
6: Attached boards to underside of sofa, keeping a 1/4 board under the new piece to keep it off the floor.
7: Attached spring loaded cabinet magnet to underside of metal sofa cross beam with metal piece glued to backside of board. (This is the type of magnet normally found in a medicine cabinet).

Works very well, the only thing I would do different is shave 3/8" from bottom of board for more floor clearance.

More pic's in next post.

[Saberwolf 700]

Pic's page 2.
BTW, my thought's on a hinged top was not workable.

[iluvlcy]

Looks fantastic! Best mod we have done.


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[Saberwolf 700]

My wife really liked it too and was telling me what a good idea it was. She was a bit confused when I said to thank I Love Lucy though, it was her idea.

[WatkinsGlenCamper]

What a great mod! I've always loved American ingenuity. I have one question...Did you use 4 inch tee hinges? At first I thought they were 3 inch but the more I look at the photo (post #5), it looks like they may be 4 inches. I want to be sure to have enough support on each side when they swing out.

[Saberwolf 700]

They are 4". Like I had said in an earlier post, trim off about 3/8" from bottom board for more floor clearance. As long as you keep the fabric in good shape you can play around with the board size and just buy another piece if you mess it up. Attach those little cabinet magnets to the board where the metal sofa cross beam is along the top, and good to go. Good luck.

[WatkinsGlenCamper]

Sabrewolf 700...Thank you for the info. I finished the mod, adding a couple of things. I attached a small support wheel (1½" casters at Home Depot for $2.47 each) to the inside, bottom of each panel. I figure they'll prevent any ware and tear on the hinges. I had to trim (hacksaw) each side and the bottom of the wheel mounts so they wouldn't hang below the sofa panels. I also cut a small piece of upholstery (from the overlap on the back of a panel), formed a loop from it and stapled it to the backside of one panel to open it. I was having a hard time trying to open the panels from the bottom (fingers wouldn't fit between the panel and floor). And finally I used a couple of cheap (.98¢) cabinet latches to hold the panels in place. The photos will explain better:

[Saberwolf 700]

Looks really good. I like the wheel's idea too. I'm going to add that to mine. This will make it so much easier to get those little things that fall down into the "Murphy Bed Black Hole".