what would you change?

Even if you go one door, it would still need a rail in the middle to help break it up. Going to take some good hinges for sure. I would also make the sides straight, eliminate the bevel. Would leave the bevel on the front and back pieces, just push the sides in flat, hope that is understandable.

Just my opinion
 
Does the insert have to be glass? Acrylic would be lighter and wouldn't break. I know, I know - the purist in me wants glass - the practical is another matter. Personally, I prefer the look of two doors, but I'm not the client.
 
Reference:
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/density-solids-d_1265.html

Density of Common glass = 150-175 lb/ft[SUP]3[/SUP] = 0.087-0.101 lb.in[SUP]3[/SUP] .

*3/16” x 27” wide x 36” tall, the weight would be ~ 18 ½ lbs. (* this would be thick glass)
If the glass were 1/8” thick, the weight would be ~ 10 ½ lbs.

I have a double door on my gun cabinet with each door having a single sheet of glass that is ~1/8” X 13” X 48” & weighs ~ 6 3/4 lbs. Each door has (3) hinges & swing beautifully.

I don’t think you would have any trouble with (3) good quality hinges. Could even try (4) if that makes you feel more comfortable.
 
Will have to have some pretty strong joints on those doors. You might go talk with a local glass shop to see what type/thickness they will recommend, then base your design off that. At that size I'd consider some safety glass, which will cost more, but wont have as much of a chance to twist and crack.
 
I like the design:) Prefer as 2 doors also but your client must want full vision of the contents, beef up the height of the rails and use m & t joints one I would think you would be good:)
 
Someone else mentioned it, I would be more worried about the frame joints than the hinges. Might want to make the tenons a lot longer for that along with wider rails/stiiles.
 
Someone else mentioned it, I would be more worried about the frame joints than the hinges. Might want to make the tenons a lot longer for that along with wider rails/stiiles.

Agree with Fred. You might even consider inletting some angle brackets into the door frame corners. You could use iron ones, and 'heat treat' them to get a blued/browned finish so they wouldn't glare out of the finished product.
 
OK in the interest of trying to keep the customer happy maybe you could use some sort of a slides instead of hinges. Sherrie has one that the glass is 36" wide. I am attaching a picture to give you an idea. I sits in a hall so it is hard to get a full size picture.

Cabinate.jpg

It would require you to make the door stand proud of the cabinet but I think it would look good.
 
We can discuss the structural issues and the customer's preferences, but from a business perspective, there is a "I don't want to be sued out of my socks" perspective. I'd explain that your design (2 doors) is structurally sound. One door without some sort of mid-shelf (shelf material?) support presents safety issues that can only be mitigated with safety glass, extra hinges, and a signed waiver of responsibility. There will be extra cost involved. If your customer is good with that, stop thinking about what they will pay, give them the whole picture and true costs. Also explain that from your builder's experience perspective requires you to have them sign a waiver and disclaimer of any future issues with that cabinet. Also tell them they likely can find someone to make as they wish who will not be concerned with the safety issues, but the recourse could have a price to them in injury and/or destruction of treasured items that likely will require court action to try make things right.

Look at your motto. If in doubt (and you certainly are here), build it stout.

They will respect you in the morning.
 
You mean one door per side as shown, right? I would use a very stout material like oak or maple and avoid anything soft like mahogany. I would increase the bottom rail width by a third, use bridle joints, 1/8" glass and three hinges per door. That doesn't make it right but, I would sleep better :).
 
Thought of that, but it seemed to me that with a narrow shelf width from the side, the owner would be forced to "reach around" objects to get the one she wanted to get to. To do this would require changing the O/A size of the cabinet. ???
 
Its for quilts NOW, but in the future?

Don't want to be an alarmist, but I'd still want the waiver. Unless this is for a family member. But understand the risks.
 
I hung some display cabinets that had single piece glass doors about that size. The door frames were all 3/4"x1-3/4" red oak hung with three hinges per door. The hinges were inset into the frames and held in place with #8 machine screws, not European style. The glass was held snugly in place with a dark brown vinyl/rubber gasket/spline that was stapled in place. I'll see if I can find the hinges online.

Looking at all sorts of display cabinets in offices and business I don't think a waiver is required for a project like this. You just have to get your preconceived thoughts about residential furniture behind you. Definitely use tempered glass for peace of mind.

Cheers,
 
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