Replies

1. 
   john | Jan 23, 2004 10:00pm | #1

   I think piano hinge would be ok for this situation, main problem is to restrict the opening of the lid to just past the vertical, or maybe til it touches the wall when the chest is placed against the wall. I would be inclined to use a stay that stops the lid opening to far, and incorporates friction lowering to stop fingers being hurt

   John

2. 
   Steinmetz | Jan 24, 2004 03:20am | #2

   Spitfire, ROCKLER has the piano hinge you need It has a return leaf so you can screw it into the face of the wood instead of the edge grain  Note it's for flat lid tops but can be used on boxed lid tops. If your's is boxed top lid, use it inverted. Stein  

   Winter catalog 2004 pg.21

   #19423

3. 
   Floss | Jan 24, 2004 03:54am | #3

   I think piano hinges are crappy, not only with the way they look but because the have so many darn screws. A good set of quality solid brass butt hinges will do the job and look a whole lot better. Whitechapel, at

   http://www.whitechapel-ltd.com/

   has nice hinges at a reasonable price. I just purchased a pair of 1.5" x 2.5" solid brass hinges for around $7 for the pair for a blanket chest that I made recently. Please don't riddle this thing with unnecessary holes.

   J.P.

4. 
   joinerswork | Jan 24, 2004 07:52am | #4

   Hi Spitfire,

   I agree with j.p. on this.  I don't care for piano hinges appearance, and you certainly don't need to use one for strength.  A  pair of 2 1/2" butt hinges is amply strong for a chest this size, and is traditional too.  Or order a pair of strap hinges from Horton Brasses.

    If you are worried about the lid falling backwards, install a length of brass chain , screwed to the inside of one of the chest ends, and to the underside of the top.  Or build a till in the chest, then you can raise the lid of the till and prop  the chest lid against it.

   If your daughter is a youngster, you may want to consider a lid support, otherwise I think they're just in the way.

   My .02 worth.

   Ray

5. 
   notDusty | Jan 25, 2004 03:22am | #5

             Hi spitfire ,

        When you mentioned your daughter safety comes to mind. To be safe one way would be to use a set of self balancing lid support hinges. Some are rights and lefts and mount inside, and some are non handed and mount behind the chest. Not only will they support the lid in the open position but also prevent the lid slamming down on a small ones head. They are simple to install and worth every penny.

                            good luck                     dusty