Replies

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Oct 16, 2004 08:23pm | #1

   I don't think you can get any conventional hinges to work well in your application.   In general, the axis of rotation of a door should be vertical.   That is, the hinge knuckles should all be in a line, and that line should be vertical.   If the rotation axis in not vertical, gravity will make the door swing to its lowest position.   It may want to slam closed or hang open, depending on the axis orientation.   You've probably encountered this effect in old house doors where the house has settled.

   It is possible to build doors where the hinge edge of the door is not vertical, but tricky things happen to make the hinge knuckles themselves vertical.   You generally have to start the furniture design from the beginning with that in mind.

1. 
   KeithNewton | Oct 16, 2004 09:00pm | #2

   Thanks Jamie, Yea I am aware of all of the negatives, and keeping the axis of rotation straight etc. I'm just not ready to give up on the design to make the doors stay open. Since making this post I have started getting some glimpses of a solution by using a multiple arm custom made hinge for the top, and a off-set pivot on the bottom. I'm sure I can come up with a nice solution if I have enough time. I'm only looking for a fall-back solution if I get in a pinch for time.

   I have already worked out a neat hinge for the middle compartment which has about 3" of camber across 29" W and 24" H. It swings out and rotates over to nest on top of the cabinet. I did the mock-up with 1/4" MDF,but the arms and mounting plates will be 3/8" bronze.

   Lunch is over, I got to get back to work. Oh, This cabinet will be shaped like a big tree which has grown up out in the opening. I have done a number of tables which I refer to my arborescent series. I think there may be a photo of one on my site a http://www.treetales.com.

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Oct 17, 2004 12:56am | #3

   Root --

     Whew, "a multiple arm custom made hinge for the top, and a off-set pivot on the bottom".  Okay, you're into the advanced stuff!  

     You might find it educational to look closely at a 170 degree cup hinge.  It is a four-link hinge.  The links push the door forward out of the cabinet while letting it pivot.   There isn't really a simple axis of rotation; the axis both translates and rotates.   Maybe you could make two different sizes of this multilink thing so that your upper hinge moves further than the bottom one.

      Jamie

1. 
   KeithNewton | Oct 17, 2004 01:24am | #4

   I have already looked at some of those. That is sort of how I figured out how to get the big centeral door to swing up and lay over onto the top.

   While searching the net, I was looking at what was once called soss. I don't have any on hand, and would doubt that anyone here in LR would stock them, but I think the action of those may be a smooth arc. maybe I can scale that one up, but you may be right, I may have to make a larger scale version of the same thing for the top.

   Thanks for your insights..... Keith

1. 
   SgianDubh | Oct 17, 2004 03:36am | #5

   "While searching the net, I was looking at what was once called soss. I don't have any on hand, and would doubt that anyone here in LR would stock them,"

   Soss are still very much in business and make, amongst other things, barrel hinges small and very large, large enough even for heavy architectural doors. Their name, like Biro or Hoover, are synonymous with the product they are best known for, e.g., ball point pens and vacuum cleaners.

   Soss (barrel hinges) can be got from a number of suppliers, e.g., Hafele, louis & co, etc., in the US and Europe, but I must confess the abbreviation LR is geographically meaningless to me so I can't suggest a local supplier.  

   Are you perhaps on the Lower Reaches of the Thames in Kent or Essex, ha, ha? It's usually a mistake to assume that abbreviations and acronyms are widely understood. Slainte.RJFurniture

2. 
   migraine | Oct 18, 2004 05:19pm | #6

   Blum used to make these in a antique finish, but it has been many years since I used them.  Try searching the web for them.  I doubt that they discontinued making them.  I believe they were called  "Compact32 Hinges"