Thread: Rockler Quadrant hinge Jig

Nothing is ever as simple as it looks, especially when it is someone trying to sell you something that is telling you how easy it is. I've never used the Rockler jig, but I have used a very similar home made jig to fit, if not identical, at least very close to identical quadrant hinges. There is no doubt that a router jig of this type makes the process of fitting these difficult hinges a lot less fraught than it would otherwise be. If you read the reviews you get some idea of how difficult it can be to accurately fit these hinges and why many people use them once and will never use them again.

By the time you buy all the necessary bits to use the jig, assuming you don't already possess them, you're potentially looking at over US$100 plus postage. You'd want to be sure you were going to fit a reasonable number of hinges to justify the cost.

Hi Buddhaha,

I like the look of quadrant hinges but as Aldav says, they are “difficult” (I think he’s being polite).

I have no experience of the Rockler jig although I have used other jigs for hinge fitting.

If it’s any help, here are my thoughts after fitting many types of hinges:

1. It’s not just the accuracy of the jig that counts, but also how accurately made the hinges are. If the hinges aren’t flat, square and opening to the same angle they will be a challenge with or without a jig.

2. Other than the aesthetic value, quad hinges seem unnecessarily complex when one can fit a good quality strong 90 degree rail hinge so quickly. An example: the no-expense spared box made by Ian Hawthorne for Prince William’s wedding had 90 degree side rail hinges not quads. KEEPSAKE BOX - ROYAL ~ Handmade Jewellery Box | Bespoke Jewellery Box | Handmade Watch Box

3. If you’re new to hinges I suggest test-fitting a few on scrap before letting loose on your ‘real’ piece.

4. Side rail hinges come in many price brackets. You didn’t mention what your project is but if it is something dear to your heart I’d consider something like Aldav’s hinges https://www.ebay.com.au/str/aldavsstore or, if you’ve won the lottery, smartHinges at around $A70 a pair!

Kind regards,

Brian

I've never used the Rockler Quadrant Hinge Jig but I'm always looking for easier ways to fit hinges.

I use Gerner's quadrant hinges in my boxes as they have square edges - not rounded. Just personal preference. To make installation as easy as possible I build a jig that surrounds the hinge and add a fence to register the jig against the box. I use a 1/4" bearing guided router bit create the mortise for the hinge.

Amana Bit.jpg

The most fiddly bit for me is drilling the mortise for the stays. There never seems to be enough wood between the hinge leaf screws and the stay mortise (after letting me loose on the mortise). More practice needed! I've tried creating the stay mortise with drill bits, router bits and a coarse tooth end mill.

Videos on YouTube always make tasks look easier.

If you're interested in the ones I sell send me a PM through the forum, they're a bit cheaper than the Ebay price.

And if you don't want to spend that amount of money on hinges the 6mm brass plated steel ones sold by veneer inlay are good quality for the price - Strap Hinges 30mm x 6mm Brass plated - Hardware For Creative Finishes -6mm-x-35mm/ - much better than some of the complete junk that's out there. (The ones I've linked to are actually 6 x 35mm despite what it says in the link above. )

Or you could save yourself some time and money and just make your own jig! I made this one for some el-cheapo plated tin things I had and it did the trick. Not a perfect fit but I seem to remember having trouble with chipout on these boards anyway. The 'buttons' are drilled off-centre to allow adjustment for board width. Worth thinking about!

I was always pretty happy with the fit using my home made jig. As homesy135 noted though the deep, stay mortise was always a bit more than a challenge. If you don't get it right you can sometimes experience binding between the stay and the hinge leg - a real PITA.
P1070241.jpg

I've just watched a woodworker use the Rockler Quadrant Hinge Jig.

Rockler Jig It Quadrant Hinge - YouTube

A couple of comments:

1. The box body and lid have to be in the same plane as the jig cuts the mortise in the lid and the box body at the same time.

2. The woodworker claims he doesn't have a router bit long and thin enough to cut the stay mortise. This is a problem I have. I believe a long thin carbide bit would snap easily.

3. The YouTuber uses a pedestal drill to drill out the stay mortise after some initial routing but the mortise look quite clean afterwards. I think there was a bit of behind the scenes chisel action. 1/8" or less chisels are not common.


I'd be interested in seeing the Rockler instructions for creating the mortise for the stay. Okay, Rockler states the stay mortise will need to be created with a pedestal drill and chisels.

Originally Posted by homesy135

Okay, Rockler states the stay mortise will need to be created with a pedestal drill and chisels.

Rockler actually sell a 3/16" extra long (3 1/2") router bit specifically made for the job - https://www.rockler.com/rockler-extr...nge-router-bit. Personally I'd be more inclined to look for a 3/16" or 5mm 70mm long spiral upcut bit to do the job. The problem with smaller spiral bits is that they tend to have excessive cutting lengths, probably around 40mm on a 70mm bit, so they are likely to 'whip' around a bit at speed and, as homesy135 has stated, break. My experiences with an extra long 1/8" bit definitely knocks out anything that small.

Anybody considering buying the Rockler jig should also make sure they read the reviews where there are quite a few complaints about the quality and accuracy of the jig.

Originally Posted by aldav

Rockler actually sell a 3/16" extra long (3 1/2") router bit specifically made for the job - https://www.rockler.com/rockler-extr...nge-router-bit. Personally I'd be more inclined to look for a 3/16" or 5mm 70mm long spiral upcut bit to do the job. The problem with smaller spiral bits is that they tend to have excessive cutting lengths, probably around 40mm on a 70mm bit, so they are likely to 'whip' around a bit at speed and, as homesy135 has stated, break. My experiences with an extra long 1/8" bit definitely knocks out anything that small.

I have watched the video a number of times and my concern is with the router bit used to cut the groove for the quadrant hinge. I could understand if it the router bit had a bearing or the router had a bush that ran in the template. What stops the bit from damaging the template????

Originally Posted by Buddhaha

I have watched the video a number of times and my concern is with the router bit used to cut the groove for the quadrant hinge. I could understand if it the router bit had a bearing or the router had a bush that ran in the template. What stops the bit from damaging the template????

The guide bushing is fitted to the router base when he is routing both the hinge mortise and the deeper mortise for the stay to drop in to. With proper setup and process there is no danger of the router bit coming in to contact with the plastic jig.

What's the verdict? Are you going to buy the quadrant hinge jig?

I thought of another reason not to buy the jig. I believe one would be stuck with using Rockler's quadrant hinges. Learning to make jigs for applications, such as hinge fitting, using either bearing guided or bushing guided router bits is all part of the fun. Jigs could then be made for any quadrant hinge

Don't put me down as a Rockler knocker. I have some Rockler gear in my shed. My most prized Rockler branded item is their ellipse jig bought in the heady days about a decade ago when our dollar was worth more than a $US. Fantastic for making small oval table tops.

PS - thanks aldav for the heads up on the Rockler long router bit for the stay mortice.

Thanks for all the input from forum members. I was really hoping to find someone in Brisbane who has one that I could get a demo from but the utube videos will have to suffice. Videos are a bit like watching New Yankee Workshop where Norm always got it right and we don't know how many stuff ups there were. I also thought someone might have the setup they wanted to sell as from Carbatec you have to order it and wait a significant period for arrival. I have to say I'm undecided. I presently split my boxes and use the barrel hinges which look really neat but even at my age I am interested in experimenting on new ideas. Yeah! they were the good old days when the Aussie dollar was worth more than the greenback and no import taxes. I bought a number of Veritas planes and other items from Lee Valley which I still use.

Hi Buddhaha

Some good advice above; well worth listening to.

Another consideration is the brand name. Rockler is well down market from Bunnings. Expect little and you will not be disappointed.

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

Rockler is well down market from Bunnings.

I don't understand this comment. Rockler is a brand, Bunnings is a retailer that sells thousands of different brands. Which particular Bunnings brand are you comparing Rockler to?