Thread: Hinges for blanket chests?

I would envisage the screws tearing out with such a large lid.

If the straps are unsightly, how about large quadrant hinges? More work involved but very nice.

Derek, I got the Rockler hinges designed for chests. They are great and require no additional support - will hold the lid at any angle. A bit expensive, but worth it. https://www.woodworkforums.com/f187/b...-chest-166895/

Hi Bob

That is a nice chest you built. I think that the Rockler hinges (which I have been aware of), with their contemporary styling, suit it because of your painted finish. My chest makes a feature of the wood used, and I would like something to compliment this.

The quadrant hinges are a possibility - how would they hold up to the load of a heavy lid?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Google Blacksmith made strap hinges. Blacksmithing is a reviale craft and you'll probably one or two in Perth. He/she could make matching handles as well or just nice butts with a brake.

Hi Derek.

How about something like this. Not as nice looking as the Brusso, but less likely to pull the screws out or allow the lid to turn into a guillotine

Philip.

how would they hold up to the load of a heavy lid?

Did you mean the quadrant hinges or the Rockler hinges. The Rockler web site has a calculator for determining how many and which type of hinges you need based on depth and weight of lid. Hence my using three.

Hi Derek,
Without knowing the dimensions of the hinges, I still believe you would be OK using three of the large Brusso hinges. I guess the thing that will ultimately decide it is the width of the box sides. If they are 19 mm as is the lid, I think you'll be fine.
One thing I have done with Blanket boxes is to leave an overhang at the back which will rest against the back of the box, thus removing some of the stress on the screws in the hinges.
You can see what I mean at http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/woodworking-projects/5559-blanket-box-spotted-gum.html
The hinges I used for this box were 38mm butt hinges. Three of them worked fine. The two soft close hinges were of little use!!
Note that the sides of the box are 16 mm.

Regards,

Rob

Hi Derek

another approach is to use a strap or chain to limit the travel of the lid to just less than the angle at which the Brusso self stop "engages"

It is slowly soaking into my brain that ordinary butt hinges will work as long as there is a chain or adjustable rod to take up the strain when the lid is opened.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Hi , Derek - having a blanket chest in my wish list , I will probably use quadrant stays on the sides , to reinforce the hinges. There are solid brass things available , that would look Ok on furniture. (They are made for windows , , strong enough)

Résultats Google Recherche d'images correspondant à http://www.restorationonline.com.au/images/Quadrant-stay-1704.jpg

Thanks Ivan, that sparked my memory.

I think I have found a simple, tidy solution. Not cheap, but combines hinge and stay. A large quadrant hinge. TFWW sell the Brusso, which is 1 1/2" x 1/2".



Now the question is, will this be strong enough for a chest (as the design is more typically used on a box)? Is this size large enough? Is there a larger one available?

If I were to use brass butt hinges, I would have gone for 2 or 3 in a 2" length.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Hi Derek

I don't think so
the lever arm on the hings appears too short in relation to the lever represented by the lid
perhaps this one from Rockler? http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...5&site=ROCKLER


or perhaps http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...4&site=ROCKLER



or perhaps http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...5&site=ROCKLER

I am at the same point with a box, Derek and while I'm sure my solution is not as pleasing as what you're aiming for, it was pretty cheap.

I just got some reverse butt hinges for $8 the pair and a pair of brass stays for $10 at my local hardware store (a proper old-school hardware). They make for a somewhat stronger fixing than a butt hinge at any rate.

I haven't finished fitting them but I had to mortice one side fairly deep to account for the gap between the leaves and make the lid finish flush. I'll just fit a packer to tidy it up.

I'll be interested to see how you solve it.

Cheers
Matt
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1369799996.032691.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1369800016.900729.jpg

Hi Matt

That looks good, excellent really. I have gone around and around with this issue - and I am still building the box and not even at a point where I can use the hinges. I wanted to be able to order them, if necessary, and have them ready.

At this point I am leaning strongly your way. Basically brass butt hinges and a brass stay. Your hinge design looks to be stronger than a butt hinge as it offers more support (not just around the screws). Are they solid brass or brass plated? Where did you get them?

Oh, and a few pics of your blanket chest are required! What can be seen looks good.

Regards from Perth

Derek