Hello everyone, I have a question regarding IKEA Pax doors: Is there a way to add magnetic catches to the existing closet doors to make them close more flush and quietly?
I have noticed that some cabinets or furniture pieces come with magnetic catches as standard, but this doesn’t seem to be the case with Pax doors. My main goal is to modify the doors so they gently snap shut with a light close, without having to slam them, and without visible gaps or dampers.
If anyone here has already done this: How exactly did you install the magnetic catches? Are there suitable kits available, or do you have to be creative and make your own solutions? Also, I’m curious whether adding magnets or metal parts could potentially damage the door mechanism or the door panel over time. Thanks in advance for any insights or experiences!
I have noticed that some cabinets or furniture pieces come with magnetic catches as standard, but this doesn’t seem to be the case with Pax doors. My main goal is to modify the doors so they gently snap shut with a light close, without having to slam them, and without visible gaps or dampers.
If anyone here has already done this: How exactly did you install the magnetic catches? Are there suitable kits available, or do you have to be creative and make your own solutions? Also, I’m curious whether adding magnets or metal parts could potentially damage the door mechanism or the door panel over time. Thanks in advance for any insights or experiences!
Spencer4 schrieb:
Is there a way to equip existing cabinet doors with magnetic catches to make them close more flush and quietly?In principle, this is technically possible, but the issue needs to be examined more closely since PAX doors are custom-made and often already have some form of built-in closing mechanism or soft close feature.
Magnetic catches can help achieve a gentle closing, but they usually require proper placement on both the frame and the door. Depending on the type of door (e.g., hinged door, folding door) and the material, installation can be complicated.
Additionally, incorrect magnet strength or mounting position can cause stress on the door panel or strain the hinges over time. Therefore, it is not advisable to simply fit any magnetic sets without accurately measuring the door and determining the required holding force.
My recommendation: Before purchasing magnetic catches, make sure to check whether they will affect the original door mechanisms and how strong the magnets should be. Professional adjustment is definitely worthwhile in this case.
I can understand that you’re looking for a solution to make your PAX doors close much more quietly and smoothly. It’s really frustrating when doors slam shut or don’t close properly.
I experimented on a PAX wardrobe myself and installed a small, invisible magnetic catch set that was actually designed for kitchen cabinets. The result was satisfactory, although the installation was a bit fiddly.
It’s important to be careful when drilling, especially if the doors are made of MDF or veneer, as they can easily chip. Aligning the magnets also requires patience.
If it helps, I’m happy to explain in more detail which sets I used and how I installed them.
I experimented on a PAX wardrobe myself and installed a small, invisible magnetic catch set that was actually designed for kitchen cabinets. The result was satisfactory, although the installation was a bit fiddly.
It’s important to be careful when drilling, especially if the doors are made of MDF or veneer, as they can easily chip. Aligning the magnets also requires patience.
If it helps, I’m happy to explain in more detail which sets I used and how I installed them.
FELOTAU schrieb:
I experimented myself with a PAX wardrobe and installed a small, invisible magnetic latch set that was originally intended for kitchen cabinets.I’m interested in how you assessed the strength of the magnets and whether you took any measures to prevent warping or distortion of the door.
Installing a magnetic latch just for easier closing is nice, but if the door ends up under more stress as a result, it’s not really worth it for me.
Perhaps you could provide some more technical details here? Thanks.
Victor54 schrieb:
I’m interested in how you assessed the strength of the magnets and whether you took any measures to prevent warping or misalignment of the door.Sure, the magnets were relatively weak; I used sets with a maximum holding force of 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) to avoid too strong a pull. This way, the doors can still be opened easily as usual, and the closing is only gently assisted.
Additionally, I glued a thin felt strip between the door and the magnet to cushion the impact and protect the material from damage.
So far, I haven’t experienced any warping, probably because I avoided strong drilling directly into visible surfaces and instead mounted everything on the inside of the door.
A long-term test is still missing, but after a few months, this has worked well for me.
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