How to Make a Trifold Room Separater
- 1). Sand your panels lightly to remove any loose splinters. Perform a quick once-over with an orbital or belt sander will suffice, or use a sanding block and long strokes. Don't aim for perfection just yet; simply give the panels a once-over on all sides.
- 2). Measure the length of each panel, and mark the exact center on the long, narrow sides of each. These marks will help you align the panels and place the hinges.
- 3). Stack two panels with the front sides facing each other, and align them perfectly. It's helpful to push them against a strong surface like a wall or a heavy block to make sure the edges are perfectly even both front to back and side to side. Any variance here will keep your finished screen from standing properly.
- 4). Locate the middle marks you made on the long narrow sides of the two panels -- they should line up. If they don't, remeasure and remark. This mark designates the location of the middle of the center hinge.
- 5). Place a hinge against the long narrow sides of the stacked panels, aligning the center of the hinge with the center mark on each panel. Open the hinge and mark the screw holes on both panels. Tape the hinge in place while you insert the first screw on each panel to keep the hinge from slipping out of place. Insert all the screws -- here again it is helpful to push the stacked panels up against a wall to keep them in place while you place the screws.
- 6). Measure and mark a spot three to four inches from the top of the panels on the long narrow side, on the same side as the middle hinge. This mark designates the top of the upper hinge. Measure and mark a spot three to four inches from the bottom of the stacked panels -- this mark designates the bottom of the bottom hinge. Place and install these two hinges the same way you did the middle one.
- 7). Add the third panel to the stack with the back facing down. Repeat the hinge placement and installation procedure, except on the opposite long narrow side, connecting the top panel to the middle panel.
- 8). Stand the completed screen on a hard, level surface to check stability. If it wobbles, fold it back up and sand the bottom of all three panels until they are flush with each other. If the panels wobble individually, check for loose hinge screws and tighten. Finish the screen as desired with paint, stain, decoupage or varnish.
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