Adding a Hidden Compartment
 The
current issue of Woodsmith (No. 127) features a drawer with a hidden
compartment that's built into the back of the drawer. But there's more than one
way to do this. In fact, adding a hidden compartment is a lot easier than you
might think.
A
while back when I was working on some pigeon hole dividers for a desk, I added
a simple hidden compartment behind one of the drawers, see photo. This hidden
compartment (really just a "stubby" drawer) fits the opening exactly, so you
can't see any gaps around the edges. This way, when the compartment is in
place, it looks like the back panel of the desk.
 To
open the compartment, you have to know exactly where to push. The "sweet spots"
are at the sides. Push either one, and the opposite side pivots forward so you
can pull the compartment out, see Fig. 1.
There's really nothing
difficult about building the compart-
ment, but there are a couple of
things to keep in mind.
First of all, this won't work
in every situation. If the bottom of the drawer opening isn't solid (as it was
in my case), there should at least be rails below the drawer that are wide
enough to support the hidden compartment.
And when building the
compartment, it's best to start with the front piece, see Fig. 2. When it fits
perfectly, build the sides and back. Also, the compartment pivots open easiest
when the back corners are slightly rounded.
Have a great weekend,
Jon
Garbison
Online
Editor, Woodsmith |
