Thread: Documrent Box ... Design wont work ... HELP

Rob, I would use a broad butt hinge, the pivot of the hinge to align with the outside of the leg. John.

Perhaps you should look at making some cantilever hinges? Like on the outside of the old style "folding" mechanics toolboxes, except internal. By making the rear lever shorter than the front, the lid will tilt back as it opens, rather than staying flat.

However, if a sheet of A4 just fits within the internal dimensions, then they're probably not a good choice either...

What about a strap hinge where the knuckle of the hinge would be set just to the rear of the leg?

Originally Posted by woodPixel

You need a scissored hinge like a car boot opener.... good challenge, lets look!

(initially I thought barrel hinges, but the legs will still get in the way due to the overhang....)

edit 10.30pm.. I know! I have an answer. Ill do up a design.... BRB.

Thanks WP
.... 5 hours of pondering before the Eureka moment!!!
Looking fwd to the fix
Regards
Rob

It may not suit the aesthetics you have in mind but antique boxes that had such an issue simply chamfered away the parts that would bind. Since those are at the rear of the box it was not considered a problem.

Split the back lid rail. The outer piece remains stationary while the rest of he lid opens.

Originally Posted by Tahlee

My daughter and I designed a box for documents ...
Here is the box so far ..
IMG_2943.jpgIMG_2942.jpg

very nice looking box

which parts of the design / wood selection are yours and which bits were contributed by your daughter

I can see a great collaboration there

From a completely different perspective you could also put a lip on the underside of the lid so it's a snug fit with the box and a handle on top - then you can do away with the hinges altogether.

Edit: If you stay with hinges I like the Nine Fingers option for effectiveness and simplicity while retaining the original external look.

Really like the design and the wood that you have used for this box ! Huon pine is a bit of favourite.

Depending on how important the look of the box is from the back, you could glue a "filler" strip to the back top rail (same wood as the rail) that fits between, and butts against, the legs. The "strip" could also be chamfered to match the taper of the legs. You may then be able to set the hinges back a small amount to give clearance against the back edge of the lid when it is open. Alternatively, a small chamfer on the back of the lid may also give enough clearance to get the lid to around a 98 degrees open angle and act as a natural stop.

Does the lid need to pivot on hinges or could it be modified to be a lift off lid ? May not be practical with a box of this size, but could be a simple solution if the design allows.

Looking forward to the final answer.

Hi Ian,
Well, I had a piece of huon pine from my last trip to Tassie and some other woods from the "wood pile"
Lauren, wanted something oblique ... not straight sided and big enough to hold her documents ... a couple of sketches later and she signed off.

The wood are huon pine and PNG Rosewood. The legs are hard maple

As for the hinges ... in the end I went with an idea posted above and put in some wide hinges so that they overhung the edge of the box and gave an offset that was the 7mm top of the leg.

The last picture shows the offset .. the barrel of the hinge is far enough back so the top doesnt foul the leg ... I mounted the hinge on the face of the lid ... I really wanted to inset it but the knobs on the ends of the hinge put paid to that idea as I didn't want to carve out the outline of the ends .. and a simple channel would have looked unfinished ...

I have still to finish the shellacing ... first coat only for now

Here is the full scale design and the finished product

Thanks all for your suggestions .... gotta love this forum and the wisdom of the members.

Regards

Rob

IMG_2871.jpgIMG_2958.jpgIMG_2964.jpgIMG_2963.jpg

Thanks WP .. I just had a look at them on EBay ... I think they are just a bit too big for the boxes I make though

I can imagine that the arm length and pivot points are dependancies ... thanks though

Nice to hear the cash is rolling in for you ...

Regards

Rob

Those hinges look great! Traditionally, document boxes were robust constructions since they were designed to carry and store important documents so the robust and attractive hinges are very much in keeping. It's a lovely box, congratulations.

David