I am struggling when installing hinges on a small box. The box is glued up and assembled as one piece, and I cut the lid off on my table saw. As a result, the lid lines up with the bottom perfectly.
When I install the hinges, I cannot get the alignment correct and as a result, the lid won’t align with the base.
Is there a trick to setting up and installing a hinge to avoid this problem? The smallest mistake with screw placement and the alignment of the lid to the base is wrong.
Thanks in advance.
Scott
Replies
Steve Latta addressed hinges in FWW #240, Flawless Hinges in Fine Furniture. Hope this helps..
"No matter how well-made a pair of hinges are, or how identical they look, they need to be fitted individually because they sometimes have slight differences. Mark them by writing on the back side of a leaf so that you can remember where each hinge goes"
For wee hinges, a drop of CA or tiny bit of hot melt helps. Tack the hinges in place, then add the screws after.
Be sure to drill holes with a Vix bit, which has a housing that centers the bit in the hinge hole. A 1/32nd bit would work.
And be sure to use a jig to create the hinge mortises. You can easily create. jig that will align the hinge perfectly in all four mortises. Having a perfect fit in a mortise helps prevent the hinge from moving when you drive in the screws. With a Vix bit, that last step should be less traumatic.
+1 on a jig. I gave up trying to do them by chisel. If you're going to do a lot, stick with the same brand and style.
+1 for jig. I've been using this type of jig and haven't looked back
Article: https://www.finewoodworking.com/project-guides/boxes/rout-perfect-hinge-mortises
Video: https://www.finewoodworking.com/2015/07/29/router-jig-for-perfect-hinge-mortises
Thanks Matt!