This is the space between the open step cover and the end of the kitchen cabinet.
This would not interfere with the step cover, whether it was up or down.
This would not interfere with the step cover, whether it was up or down.
Replacing the hinges and the cover and hinges look like this. I have not yet routed the cover for the hinges. I've been thinking about covering it with a thin piece of plywood.
Here's the close up of the recessed hinge.
Here's the close up of the recessed hinge.
I then laid the hinge across the bottom of the router, so I could set the depth of cut properly.
Then I proceeded to remove a small amount of wood.
Then I proceeded to remove a small amount of wood.
I marked the area of the hinge on the floor with a pencil so I would know where to remove a small bit of wood for the hinge to recess into.
When the stair cover is in the up position, we still have over 14" of space between the cover and the end of the kitchen cabinet.
That means I have more room for "something"! Maybe storage, or a folding table, or, who knows? Lots of possibilities!
That means I have more room for "something"! Maybe storage, or a folding table, or, who knows? Lots of possibilities!
This is last times photo with the hinges just temporarily screwed down.
Today, I flipped the hinges upside down, and cut a mortise in the plywood for the hinge portion to fit into.
These hinges will swing more than 270 degrees, so I can still stand the cover straight up, when I don't want it covering the steps.
Today, I flipped the hinges upside down, and cut a mortise in the plywood for the hinge portion to fit into.
These hinges will swing more than 270 degrees, so I can still stand the cover straight up, when I don't want it covering the steps.
I added some temporary braces under my step cover. (under red arrows)That will hold it up when I step on it, and I won't have to worry about stepping into that "hole" while working inside.
The more I look at it, I "almost" would like to leave it there permanently, and put all the steps outside. I don't know that I will do that, but for now, I can lift it up when I need to.
The more I look at it, I "almost" would like to leave it there permanently, and put all the steps outside. I don't know that I will do that, but for now, I can lift it up when I need to.
This is why I didn't line the two up.
When the step cover is open, if the pivot point lines up with the edge of the floor, then the cover will protrude into the step area, and I wanted it completely out of the way.
Moving the pivot back, allows that to happen.
When the step cover is open, if the pivot point lines up with the edge of the floor, then the cover will protrude into the step area, and I wanted it completely out of the way.
Moving the pivot back, allows that to happen.
This is what I was working on today. I've wanted to use the area above the steps when the door is closed, and that is what I built.
This is just the first temporary fitment.
You will notice the edge of the floor, (red arrow), and the pivot point on the hinges, (yellow arrow), do not line up. That is by design.
This is just the first temporary fitment.
You will notice the edge of the floor, (red arrow), and the pivot point on the hinges, (yellow arrow), do not line up. That is by design.
Sometimes the best laid plans ..... yea, they don't always work out.
Company showed up yesterday and completely ruined my plans for working.
However, I was back today.
I worked on something that has been bothering me for a while, and I finally decided to do something about it.
This pic shows part of my work today, and sometimes I find it better to use 2 clamps when driving the Kreg screws to keep both pieces of lumber level.
Company showed up yesterday and completely ruined my plans for working.
However, I was back today.
I worked on something that has been bothering me for a while, and I finally decided to do something about it.
This pic shows part of my work today, and sometimes I find it better to use 2 clamps when driving the Kreg screws to keep both pieces of lumber level.
