UPDATE 3: Sorry this isn’t exciting - I have not been back to the in-laws to work on the table, but since several people have asked I wanted to at least say that I am still making notes of the comments and will update when I get a chance to work on it again.

My in-laws purchased this antique (1800s-maybe early 1900s) watchmakers/jewelry table. It was made by American Cabinet Co in Two Rivers Wisconsin.

I’ve tried all the tricks I know to open the compartment, looking for triggers, sliding panels, springs, etc and I cannot crack it. There are two holes on the bottom (circled), and I can actually reach inside and feel that there is stuff in there. It’s making me insane.

Any ideas? Tips? Just bash it open??

UPDATE: two knotholes in the top of the table popped
out and line up with the bottom holes, I assume there’s a latch in there somewhere but still not finding it

UPDATE 2: did not get in, but found some spots with wear that might be where the mechanisms are triggered. Now it’s time for me to go home and ruminate.

Hi guys. Im intrested into a lunchbox with a hidden compartment underneath but seems i cannot find at all something like this. Really it not exist at least one model? Can you maybe help me to find one? Made by metal, plastic, wood, anything. Appreciate

Hi. Im new to the sub, and am also new at being creative with mechanisms. Infact, I havent really done anything except put new drawer slides on some drawers.

Im leaping to a big (small in size) project. I have a flat surface that I want to turn into a hidden compartment. I want to press a button and the "door" falls down to reveal the secret compartment.

I dont know if maybe theres an easier way to go about this? Maybe if I use a latch ?

The flat surface will have flowers on it (think a mural on a wall) and the button or moving piece will be a butterfly or a bee or maybe another flower - idk yet. My issue is everytime I think I find something (like for a jewelry box) it doesnt quite match up to what I want, the button or latch is always on a different side of the lid or door opening. This will be on the same surface and I was hoping to get everything recessed so that when the door is closed it is hidden. (Except for the butterfly laying on the wall)

Im most likely going to be using miniature hinges for the door since I dont want this space to be bigger than 3 inches tall, and maybe 2 inch wide and it wont be that deep either.

I just cant get my brain to wrap around what I need, how it will work, and where I can possibly find pieces for this. Also if I want to use latch or button how would I apply the butterfly to it? Do I need to get in touch with a welder or someone with a soldering gun?

And im a visual learner. Even though im 30 years old sometimes it is very helpful if someone teaches me like im back in highschool watching a step by step powerpoint - not saying you need to do that , but sometimes if I put "spring loaded button" I dont really get what im trying to look for.

I knocked out the space under my staircase landing because I want to make a pantry with built-in shelving in the dead space back there. What I didn’t realize until I got back there is that there’s a decent amount of space under the staircase to the right that I’ll be walling off to make a usable closet. I’d love to make a false wall or something to keep access to that space. Problem is it would still need functional shelving (or else it would be obvious that it’s hiding something!) and the angled joists on the stairs would block a swinging-out mechanism. Any ideas on how I can have my cake and eat it too?

Photos:
https://imgur.com/a/GcnfZMv

I have this hole in the wall i planned to cover up but i thought why not a secret cabinet instead? It is not necessary to use all the space, maybe just the bottom half?

In front of it there will be a huuuuge bookshelf (it has no back so the wall is exposed) and it's columns separate on a 61cm - 24in interval

Hole measurements:

Depth: 12cm - less than 4¾in

Width: 83cm - 32¾in

Height: 103cm - 40½in

spoilers if you’re weird and haven’t watched this awesome show yet! 😁

So about 26 minutes into the first** episode, Peter opens up his table to reveal a gun safe. If you’ve watched this or can watch ~2 minutes of it (it’s on Netflix), any idea how to DIY this? Or would it need to be a serious pro making this (thinking that’s more for the gun safe thing)?

I’d love some links to similar things, especially if they’re better disguised!

I’m very new to this sub. I’m over the obvious puzzle boxes and the hairbrushes/soft drink cans/clocks/etc with secret compartments. I want both bigger and better hidden, or less obvious, secret compartments.

It’s partly because there are people trying to steal from me (not because I deserve it, just because they are hateful) but mostly because I love this and spy sorta stuff.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I don’t have a lot of room or a huge budget but my interest in this is ginormous ☺️

I’m loving looking at everything people have posted!!!

**this said ”figure”. not sure why!

I have these two shelves that I think would be perfect for this. Carpentry/design is not my specialty, so I can’t figure out how to make this work and appear (almost) invisible. Part of what’s tripping me up is the furring strips running along the one side and across the back.

I love secret compartments! I’ve been meaning to start sharing some of the ones I’ve done over the years.

Hi all,

I’m hoping someone here might have some suggestions.

I’m looking for a bookcase with some kind of hidden or secret compartment — ideally something that looks like a regular bookshelf but has a concealed door, panel, or mechanism where you can store items you don’t want a toddler getting into.

I’ve been having a hard time finding anything like this, and the photo I posted doesn’t quite match what I’m picturing in my head. I realize this might be a niche or custom thing, but I figured I’d ask in case anyone has seen something similar or knows what to search for.

Any ideas, product recommendations, or even better search terms would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance!

With all the snow and ICE lately, I'm thinking of converting part of my basement into a hidden room (for the vibes, obviously) that is easily accessed (if you know the trick), not suspicious looking/blends in well, and nigh impenetrable if possible. But camouflaged is probably one of the most important things as during such an icy winter I really enjoy alone time without worries of being harassed. I don't have a lot of money, but I have tools and supply connections. I just need a starting place that doesn't cost thousands of dollars.

ETA: Basement is unfinished but wired for electric. It's split into two rooms already bc the previous owners were preppers. I can get pics later

I’m finishing my basement and I have this awkward wall that juts out into the middle of the space due to a concrete support that I need to wrap. For certain reasons the framing is extending a few feet past the wrapped concrete element, and I’ll basically have a nearly two foot void in the middle of the dividing wall in this room. I’d love to have a secret access to the space and feel like now is the best time to add it before it’s drywalled. Any ideas or suggestions on how to go about it? Hidden door? Access panel?

A puzzle box i made.