Bifold Bookcases for Dummies

Bifold bookcase

In a brief survey of our awardees here at the Antisocial Network, we've noticed that some dumbasses spread their misinformation across a wide array of topics, while others are more... shall we say "specialized" (of course, it might just be that we just haven't tracked the latter across the internet to find their entire body of work).  One example of the latter is a character who's posted under variations on her name, though her work is rather distinctive. We're talking about eHow's Amanda Fetherlin , who also posts as A. L. Fetherlin at Suite.io. Whatever the site, A. L./Amy/Amanda's work typically displays a less-than-deep understanding of her topic, which is usually remodeling- or carpentry-related. For today's entry, Amanda misled her HomeSteady.com audience about "How to Make a Bifold Bookcase."¹

Fetherlin immediately launches into how one might use a bifold bookcase:

"Remedy limited storage or wall space with sturdy and useful bi-fold bookcases that open to reveal a doorway or closet. Bi-fold bookcases are practical for smaller homes because they provide extra space for storage when they cover the doorway. A door for a room that is not often used, such as the attic, is more sensible as a useful bookcase than useless space. This type of door also is usable as a cover for an imperceptible business safe."

Besides the obvious question -- what on earth is "an imperceptible business safe"? -- we were immediately struck by Amanda's failure to understand doors. An interior door is rarely more than 36 inches wide, especially doors to an attic or basement. Closets? Maybe, in newer houses... That size limitation suggests that Fetherlin's system must consist of two bookcases fourteen to sixteen inches wide, which is not exactly a common size.

Next, Fetherlin would have build your bifold system using "Two 7-foot-tall bookcases."  Errr, Amanda? A standard door frame, including the casing molding is seven feet tall - the doors are typically 80" tall, and the panels in bifold doors are even shorter to allow for the hardware.  Speaking of that hardware, Amanda wants you to use a six-foot piano hinge for the folding bit, and install everything using a "Bi-fold door mechanism" that, presumably, you pick up at the local BigBox hardware. Well, Ms. Fetherlin, there's a problem with that: residential-grade bifold door mechanisms typically support a weight of some 30 to 40 pounds per door; while a high-grade commercial-grade kit may support up to 125 pounds per door (at a cost of about $200, special-order). But a bookcase? Empty, a wooden bookcase will easily weigh twice as much as a door panel (much more if there's MDF in there); filled with books it's gonna weigh at least a couple hundred pounds – even if it is just 18 inches wide.

That amount of weight suggests that the 2-inch screws you advise for attaching the track will be overmatched, to say nothing of the ½-inch screws you told people to use to install the pivot. Dear lord, woman, don't you read anything you write with a critical eye (and moronic content editor, you should also be ashamed of yourself!)

Once again, our Amanda demonstrates that her advice on DIY topics can't be trusted, despite her claim of "extensive experience in home remodeling." As far as we can tell, the only extensive experience she has is in being a Dumbass of the Day when it comes to anything involving carpentry.

¹ The original has been deleted by Leaf Group, but can still be accessed using the Wayback machine at archive.org. Its URL was   ehow.com/how_12013118_make-bifold-bookcase.html

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