Replies

1. 
   BArnold | Jun 26, 2005 01:58pm | #1

   Kiwi,

   Here's one way to make hinges: http://www.incra.biz/Products/HingeCrafter.html

   I've seen many examples of these hinges on boxes and bought a jig to use along with my Incra LS system.  Haven't made any hinges yet -- too busy on other projects.

   Regards,

   Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting
   Mensa Member
   Click Here if you're interested in a good, inexpensive website host.

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   Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

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1. 
   macalex | Jun 26, 2005 03:32pm | #3

   Thanks Bill

   How small can these hinges be? I've wondered about the Incra jig in the past, always thought the hinges looked a bit clunky.

   Anyone got any photos of Incra hinges on small bits of work - like a 10 by 8 box?

   MalcolmNew Zealand  |  New Thinking0.06% of the world's people are Kiwis

1. 
   BArnold | Jun 26, 2005 05:03pm | #6

   Kiwi,

   The web page says the barrel of the hinges can be 3/8", 1/2", 5/8" or 3/4".  The box on that page appears to be about 10x8 or a bit smaller.

   Another site to check out this system is: http://www.woodpeck.com/

   Here's a link to the Hingecrafter Manual: http://www.woodpeck.com/media/HingeCrafterManual.pdf

   Regards,

   Bill Arnold - Custom WoodcraftingMensa Member Click Here if you're interested in a good, inexpensive website host.

   Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

2. 
   douglas2cats | Jun 26, 2005 03:28pm | #2

   You might want to check out this book. I don't think there was much in it with respect to hinges, but I remember some very artistic wooden latch mechanisms on some of the boxes in this book. I don't think any of the write-ups had step-by-step instructions on how to make them, but I think there was enough info there to use as a starting point for coming up with your own designs.

   http://www.cambiumbooks.com/blowups/?exturl=http%3A%2F%2Fimages%2Eamazon%2Ecom%2Fimages%2FP%2F0806942878%2E01%2ELZZZZZZZ%2Ejpg&format=blowups

    

   Waddaya mean it wont fit through the door?

1. 
   macalex | Jun 26, 2005 03:36pm | #4

   > You might want to check out this book <

   Thanks also. Just took delivery of three other books on boxs and chests - there's a surprisingly large literature on this subject.

   I'll go to Amazon and look for this one (which was not one of the three ordered).

   MalcolmNew Zealand  |  New Thinking0.06% of the world's people are Kiwis

1. 
   douglas2cats | Jun 26, 2005 06:01pm | #7

   KiwimacI was finally able to find my copy after posting earlier. The book is a gallery type book with examples of many different styles of boxes by different makers. It turns out there are a few hinge ideas there too, but only two with homemade latch mechanisms. None of the writeups really provide much in the way of instructions, but a few have some sketches that could provide some useful ideas.

   p26 - Uses a wooden hinge block with 2 pivot holes. More like a single wide hinge knuckle.p68 - Uses a similar setup as the one on page 26p84 - Uses a more tranditional style wooden hinge with multiple hinge fingers, but has an interesting shapep92 - Uses separate hinge blocks like page 26, but uses multiples to make an array of them along the whole back edge of the boxp132- "Key-lock Chest" by Joel Gelfand - one of the latch examples. Couldn't find a website or any pics of his stuff on the web.p134- 2 Different elaborate latch setups on boxes by Bill McDowell.Was able to find his website which has some pretty good pics.http://teknodeco.com/main.htmlWaddaya mean it wont fit through the door?

3. 
   KeithNewton | Jun 26, 2005 04:53pm | #5

   Knife or pivot hinges are the ones that I make most often. I usually only make them if I can not find the size that I need, which usually means larger.

   Back when I made more boxes and smaller cabinets, I would often have the door or lid inset relative to the end and over-laid relative to the sides. You can then carefully drill through the ends into the edge of of the lid, and match the pin size to the drill. The bottom edges of the door / lid have to be rounded over on the back side.

   I have been fooling around with making some double arm hinges lately that are very cool, and will allow the door not to just pivot around an axis but rather traverse or swing into a new position in and unexpected way. This method is opening the door ( pun intended) to some new design ideas for me. I am searching for methods to simplify the process so I can teach some weekend workshops or courses at some of the schools. If there are enough woodworkers out there who would like to learn this.
   Gotta run. Keith

4. 
   joinerswork | Jun 26, 2005 06:49pm | #8

   kiwi,

   You might try a search of the internet for antique wooden snuff boxes.  I've seen a couple (have one in the shop now for repairs) that have a tiny wooden hinge, with wire for their pin.  The boxes are anywhere from 1-1/2"x3"x1/2" on up to the size of a deck of playing cards.  The lids are held closed by friction, the edge of the lid opposite the hinge having a slight groove that snaps over the mating edge on the box proper.

   Regards,

   Ray

5. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 28, 2005 02:02am | #9

   KIWI.. HI!

   You would be surprised what you can make with Coins.. As in Money.. Anvil.. BIG hammer and sometimes a fire...

   Ya can beat coins together to make almost anything.. The Gov. use alloys so may be a bit hard but never rust!

   I heard once that the Japanese got ALOT of coins from Italy and made watch backs from them at a really good price.. Not sure if true but would guess so...

   
   

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   Edited 6/27/2005 7:07 pm ET by Will George