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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Sydney, NSW, Australia
    Posts
    11

    Question box hinge alignment

    I made some boxes recently for the family, hand cut the dovetails, some of which I am proud and others not.

    Struck some problems in getting the hinges attached exactly right so that the box lid shut perfectly (none of them did, but nearly).

    Can someone tell me a never-fail technique to get this alignment right.

    I tried grinding screws down to sharp stubs and with the lid already screwed, attempted to make impressions in the wood on the box side but still had problems.

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Queanbeyan NSW
    Age
    55
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    34

    Default

    I found this on the Mik International website at www.mik.com.au.

    Mik International
    WOODWORK TIPS

    Hinge Positioning
    When positioning hinges on small work such as lids for boxes I found it difficult to position holes accurately if both pieces were not rebated. A further problem I discovered was the angle of the countersink in the hinges not matching the angle on the underside of a screw head. By gently countersinking the hinges (when not in contact with your work) the angle is corrected and a small lip or burr is raised on the underside. Then perfectly position the lid on the body, and press on it firmly. The burr marks the work exactly where the holes should be drilled!

    Date created: 17/12/2002 by Shannon Nash

    Hope this helps

    Pat
    "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity."
    -- Robert Heinlein

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Tolmie - Victoria
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    68
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    4,010

    Default

    Ian,

    I have had success when the top and the base are identical sizes such as when you make the box in one piece and cut with a bandsaw to separate the top and base.

    I mark the screw positions on the base for one hinge. I then transfer these measurements using a marking gauge to the other side and the top left and right hinge positions.

    I always only put two screws in each hinge (one top and one in the base) so I can easily adjust them before drilling the holes for the other hinges.

    Generally this works well for me especially compared to my earlier attempts which were all over the place.

    Another consideration is to buy good hinges, cheaper ones don't line up at the best of times.


    - Wood Borer

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    albany West Australia Australia
    Posts
    133

    Default Hinge Alignment

    Ian , Woodborer is right about the hinges. Dont buy them in so called "matched" pairs. Take your vernier along and pair your own from the boxes of hinges. Take some stikky tape and match them on sight.
    To fit them to the base and lid make yourself a jig of straight pieces of 25mmx5mm wood and clamp the lid on place (open). Set your hinges up a hinge width from the outside of the box and mark them with a good marking knife. A good trick is to make the thickness of the carcass of the box the same as the width of the hinge. This way you can cut or route straight thro both the base and the top at the same time. When you fit the hinges only drill the centre hole and fit the hinge. That way you can allow for slight errors in drilling. If you cant quite understand this think IRISH.

    Alf
    Oops!! Make sure you have a spacer 1 1/2 times the thickness of the metal in the hinges between the top of the box and the base before you drill the holes
    A

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Sydney, NSW, Australia
    Posts
    11

    Default

    Thanks a lot for those hints gents.

    I am about to try a test box which has the perfect match of lid to the base so that should be a start.

    Where do you suggest I find "quality"hinges. Is there a brand name you can recommend?

    Ian

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Sydney, NSW, Australia
    Posts
    11

    Default

    Alf

    Where does the jig go?

    Ian

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    albany West Australia Australia
    Posts
    133

    Default

    They are just clamped along the sides to align the top and base up ar if they are already hinged
    Alf

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Sydney, NSW, Australia
    Posts
    11

    Default

    Thanks Alf

    Got it!

    Ian

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