Hello everyone,
I recently assembled a Pax wardrobe from Ikea and am now considering how to equip the doors with magnetic catches to achieve quieter and smoother closing. My specific question is: Which types of magnetic catches work best for the IKEA PAX doors, how can they be effectively mounted on the frame or door, and what should be particularly considered during installation to ensure lasting and reliable functionality?
I prefer to work with high-quality materials and want to avoid the doors sagging over time or the magnetic catch being too weak. Does anyone have experience with specific magnets or ideal installation locations? For example, how can the narrow frame edge of the PAX doors be best utilized? The goal is a clearly noticeable but not too strong closure.
I look forward to your tips and advice!
I recently assembled a Pax wardrobe from Ikea and am now considering how to equip the doors with magnetic catches to achieve quieter and smoother closing. My specific question is: Which types of magnetic catches work best for the IKEA PAX doors, how can they be effectively mounted on the frame or door, and what should be particularly considered during installation to ensure lasting and reliable functionality?
I prefer to work with high-quality materials and want to avoid the doors sagging over time or the magnetic catch being too weak. Does anyone have experience with specific magnets or ideal installation locations? For example, how can the narrow frame edge of the PAX doors be best utilized? The goal is a clearly noticeable but not too strong closure.
I look forward to your tips and advice!
Hello neomo,
a magnetic catch for PAX doors is a great project! Generally, there are two options: either small neodymium magnets that you stick onto the door and cabinet sides, or smaller window or snap magnetic catches that you install in the frame.
It is important that the magnets are mounted on the correct side and aligned as precisely as possible to ensure a good hold. If the doors have a narrow frame, as is common with PAX, I would recommend using small disc magnets with a strong hold and attaching them to the inside of the frame. Alternatively, there are also recessed magnetic catches that you can set into a pre-milled groove, provided you have the right tools and some experience with finishing work.
If you want to avoid screws or screw nuts on the door, strong two-component adhesive or high-quality mounting tape often helps, since the pressure when closing is not too high.
Also make sure the magnet strength is just right—too weak and the doors won’t stay closed, too strong and the doors become difficult to open.
a magnetic catch for PAX doors is a great project! Generally, there are two options: either small neodymium magnets that you stick onto the door and cabinet sides, or smaller window or snap magnetic catches that you install in the frame.
It is important that the magnets are mounted on the correct side and aligned as precisely as possible to ensure a good hold. If the doors have a narrow frame, as is common with PAX, I would recommend using small disc magnets with a strong hold and attaching them to the inside of the frame. Alternatively, there are also recessed magnetic catches that you can set into a pre-milled groove, provided you have the right tools and some experience with finishing work.
If you want to avoid screws or screw nuts on the door, strong two-component adhesive or high-quality mounting tape often helps, since the pressure when closing is not too high.
Also make sure the magnet strength is just right—too weak and the doors won’t stay closed, too strong and the doors become difficult to open.
I think having a magnetic catch on the PAX doors is kind of over the top!
To me, that sounds like a lot of effort for a fairly small benefit. If the doors are properly adjusted, they close just fine without it. I also don’t see why magnets are really necessary. Who wants to constantly think about magnetic force every time they open the wardrobe?
But okay, if it’s really needed: self-adhesive neodymium magnets often don’t last long because the adhesive fails under stress, and then the frustration is greater than if you had just skipped it.
dunitan schrieb:
It’s important that the magnets are installed on the correct side and aligned as precisely as possible
To me, that sounds like a lot of effort for a fairly small benefit. If the doors are properly adjusted, they close just fine without it. I also don’t see why magnets are really necessary. Who wants to constantly think about magnetic force every time they open the wardrobe?
But okay, if it’s really needed: self-adhesive neodymium magnets often don’t last long because the adhesive fails under stress, and then the frustration is greater than if you had just skipped it.
I find this really interesting, and a magnetic catch on PAX doors makes a lot of sense!! 😊
With the right adhesives (for example, 2-component epoxy resin), it works perfectly—I’ve tried it myself! If you take a little time to position them carefully and clean the surfaces well beforehand, it works really well.
The small recessed magnetic catches are also brilliant because nothing sticks out and they look very elegant.
I can only recommend it: if you ever want to work on your doors, the effort is definitely worth it! This gives you better control over the closing mechanism, especially for wider doors.
rebufar schrieb:
Self-glued neodymium magnets often don’t hold for long because the adhesive fails under stress
With the right adhesives (for example, 2-component epoxy resin), it works perfectly—I’ve tried it myself! If you take a little time to position them carefully and clean the surfaces well beforehand, it works really well.
The small recessed magnetic catches are also brilliant because nothing sticks out and they look very elegant.
I can only recommend it: if you ever want to work on your doors, the effort is definitely worth it! This gives you better control over the closing mechanism, especially for wider doors.
Hello everyone,
I’d like to share my experience, as I installed magnetic catches on PAX doors myself a while ago and know how frustrating it can be to find the right solution.
I used so-called “recessed magnetic catches” that you embed into the frame. I installed them on a side panel inside the cabinet where the doors close. The installation was a bit tricky at first because precise measuring was required, but if you work carefully here, you get a very smooth and quiet closure.
What was important to me:
- Pre-drilling to prevent the wood from splitting
- Aligning the magnets so the catch is “strong but not too strong”
- Checking that the doors close cleanly and aren’t forced open or pinched by the magnets
I also bought slightly cushioned magnets to protect the mechanism.
After a few months, everything still holds perfectly and I’m satisfied.
I’d like to share my experience, as I installed magnetic catches on PAX doors myself a while ago and know how frustrating it can be to find the right solution.
neomo schrieb:
Which types of magnetic catches work best for IKEA PAX doors, how can they be properly mounted on the frame or door, and what should you especially pay attention to during installation
I used so-called “recessed magnetic catches” that you embed into the frame. I installed them on a side panel inside the cabinet where the doors close. The installation was a bit tricky at first because precise measuring was required, but if you work carefully here, you get a very smooth and quiet closure.
What was important to me:
- Pre-drilling to prevent the wood from splitting
- Aligning the magnets so the catch is “strong but not too strong”
- Checking that the doors close cleanly and aren’t forced open or pinched by the magnets
I also bought slightly cushioned magnets to protect the mechanism.
After a few months, everything still holds perfectly and I’m satisfied.
R
reoleon4721 May 2020 07:36Hey everyone!
The topic of magnetic catches for PAX doors is really interesting! It worked great for me using small neodymium magnets that I glued inside the corner of the door and the corresponding cabinet frame.
I also wanted something hidden and easy to install. The only important things for me were:
- testing the magnets beforehand to make sure the strength is right
- very clean and grease-free surfaces
- allowing time for the adhesive to cure (I used superglue plus some strong tape)
And don’t worry, the magnets are strong, but you can still open the doors easily. I think it makes the design feel much more high-quality!
So go for it, it’s definitely worth it!
The topic of magnetic catches for PAX doors is really interesting! It worked great for me using small neodymium magnets that I glued inside the corner of the door and the corresponding cabinet frame.
I also wanted something hidden and easy to install. The only important things for me were:
- testing the magnets beforehand to make sure the strength is right
- very clean and grease-free surfaces
- allowing time for the adhesive to cure (I used superglue plus some strong tape)
And don’t worry, the magnets are strong, but you can still open the doors easily. I think it makes the design feel much more high-quality!
So go for it, it’s definitely worth it!
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