Thread: First time barrel hinges

Epoxy is good, and for your first time installing them, its not a bad idea to use a slower set just in case something goes wrong (it probably won't).
FWIW, the way I put them in is as follows:
Most important, the holes for the hinges must be the same distance apart and the same distance from the ends, on the lid and the bottom of the box. If you can, drill them before you separate the top and bottom. Otherwise, you can use a mortise gauge to spot the positions. Just be sure you mark from the same end on the lid and the bottom.
Put a tiny drop of oil on the hinge pins, but be careful not to get it where you want glue. this will stop any squeeze-out jamming up the works.
With a little glue in the hole and on one end of the hinge, hold the other end of the hinge at right angles in a pair of long-nose pliers, and tap the glued end into the lid with a small hammer. Make sure that the end you are holding is perpendicular to the line of the back of the box. Drive the hinge in as far as the pin, but no further.
Put glue on the other end of the hinges and in the other holes, and repeat the procedure. This time, hold the lid in the open position, and tap the hinges into the box, tapping each one a little at a time.
Open and close the box to make sure that everything is lined up properly. A slight misalignment may be fixed by the judicious application of brute strength; if it's too far out, you'll be glad you used slow setting epoxy, as you can disassemble it and start again.

Thanks Alex! I'll give that a go.