Make a wooden, spring-assisted, sash cord lid stay.
During a recent project I was going to install a standard brass lid stay, but it didn’t have quite the right look I wanted. The same weekend I was working on the case, I was also fixing storm windows and got an idea after looking at the sash cords used on the windows.
I first drilled two holes in the cabinet lid, then tied a knot to one end of a piece of sash cord. I fished it through the hole from the interior and then back down from the top.
I drilled an angled hole through an interior rail that was tenoned into the case frame. I put the sash cord through that hole and then tied a knot where I wanted the lid to be held open.
Now here’s the cool part. To keep the rope from binding up in the hole, or folding back on itself, I added a thin piece of cherry which is screwed to the inside of the case. It has a hole drilled about two inches from the bottom, which the sash cord is attached to with one more knot. The spring doesn’t pull the lid closed, it simply assists the sash cord through the drilled hole and keeps it going in the right direction as you close the lid.
Check out this post to see the complete cabinet project:
https://www.finewoodworking.com/item/41747/recycled-cedar-clapboards-make-great-cabinet-panels
Comments
I really like this idea (simplicity and elegance), but I am concerned about it's function with the trunk full of stuff. Things will want to shift to fill out space. How will you make sure this doesn't get in the way of the spring or pinch the rope? Is a panel going to enclose the mechanisms?
I just now read the companion article. Looks like the design will definitely work as is for the intended purpose (and now I know what those slots on top are for). I still think enclosing the mechanisms would be worthwhile if not hanging the blankets inside.
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