magnets instead of hinges for stand doors?

[Tabasco]

I am in the planning stages of a stand. I while ago I had read a stand build that used magnets to hold doors in place as opposed to hinges. This allowed the "doors" to be completely removed for better access. I am not finding that much on this option. Can anybody chime in who has done this with some pros or cons? tips for better functionality doing it this way?

TIA!!

 

[mrbee2828]

Was the build thread using a metal stand with a wood "facade" or was it a wooded frame? For a metal frame you can get strong magnets and recess them in the panels which will stick to the frame. I've used spring loaded magnets on my wooden stand with metal strikes on the back of the access/door panel. The panel sits flush and you push it in and it pops open enough to get you fingers on it and pull it off.

 

[chris s]

I did this on my stand. To help support and center the panel I screwed a strip of wood to the back of the panel that rests on the bottom of the stand opening. Then I drilled a hole in each corner with a forstner bit and epoxied a high power magnet in. I've seen people just use a magnet on one side and a washer on the other. I opted for overkill and used a magnet on both sides. The panel is rounded over on the backside so there is a lip to grab. I just tilt the top out and remove the panel. To reinstall set the bottom in place resting on the strip of wood and tilt the top back in until the magnets catch.

 

[kspops]

It can be done

It can be done

I made my stand from wood and for the front, I have 2 large magnets to hold the front panel on along with a couple metal "Z" brackets for the bottom. My tank is a 210 Gallon, 6 foot long and the entire front comes off for easy access. It made the upgrade from an 180 gallon to this nice. The stand has an 2x8 frame to support the tank on 2x4 legs. The engineering i found on this site. I will try to get some pictures to show.

 

[Tabasco]

@ mrbee I think it was a metal stand with wood panels. I am planning a wood frame stand and was going to put metal strips on the leg supports to catch the magnets on the doors/panels.

@chris I was debating to go with a thick plywood that wouldn't need to be braced, but I think that would be too heavy so was thinking something lighter and brace it on the back like you talked about. I like the lip on the bottom to help replace the panels easily. SO you are using a magnet on both side, kind of like a magfloat to hold the panel in place? I like the lip at the top to open. I was thinking about some really nice clean hardware handles. They are not cheap though. I was going to have 3 seperate panels on the front and one side panel, so 8 handles.

@kspops I am going to oversize a little, but the tank the stand will hold will be 60x24x24.


Are you all glad you went with magnets?

 

[chris s]

I used 3/4" particle board because I had a piece laying around. The panel is about 40"x20" and the magnets hold fine. The strip on the bottom holds the weight the magnets just keep it from tilting out.

For hardware google custom service hardware their hardware is very affordable.

For some crazy strong magnet check out k&j magnetics.

Yes I am glad I went with the magnets. Only change might be to use a piece of aluminum angle instead of the wood brace. Just for a cleaner look.

 

[Tabasco]

would love to see pics if anybody has em.