Thread: Piano hinges #$%^&*(

I would have thought that a hinge that is flush with the top would only open 90 degrees.

In order to screw the hinges on, they are actually screwed into place with the hinges already opened at 180 deg.
When the door is closed, it fouls on the edge and won't close properly

Can you take some pics to show what is happening.

Ok, I think I know what you mean now, you might need to put a shim between the hinge and top piece to give it some clearance

Originally Posted by djstimber

Ok, I think I know what you mean now, you might need to put a shim between the hinge and top piece to give it some clearance

OK, I just tried raising the hinge ala the normal way that is seen on most pianos and it all works perfectly. It isn't what I wanted but it mat have to do.

Using a spacer would in fact have had the opposite effect from that which I wanted as it would then have made is all a lot worse.
You were however quite correct when you suggested that the opening would be restricted to 90 deg, it was just that I made the lid back to front and so the CLOSING was restricted to 90 deg.

Originally Posted by Bob Willson

I talked it over with my wife and she decided that she didn't want the hinge to stick up as they do on a piano,

No matter who the client is or how much they know or even think they know - they can't always have what they want. SWMBO or not, if you can't do it the way she wants it - you just have to tell her.

Originally Posted by Just George

No matter who the client is or how much they know or even think they know - they can't always have what they want. SWMBO or not, if you can't do it the way she wants it - you just have to tell her.

I did. I hope to able to walk again quite soon now. Maybe next month after my jaw and fingers heal.

If I'm not mistaken, mass-produced piano hinges don't follow the laws of physics!.. I remember one set that seemed to spontaneously bend in any direction it liked. I suppose the connection wasn't as tight a tolerance as we have grown to expect in a hinge. It's like stretching a canvas...get a couple of points along the length, and then get the intermediate ones to match up with them, regardless of where they feel they should go.

..rather you than me...

Bill

so whats the story here??

Piano hinge.... mongrel stuff hate it with a pashion...... anyway.

As far as hinge physics go a hinge is a hinge is a hinge they just come different sizes..

If you want the knuckle of your hinge to be flush with the surface you will never be able to place the two halves back to back.

first take one half place it with the side you wish the knuckle to align with flat on a flat surface.... clamp it there if you like.
present the hinge knuckle down opened 90deg so you can screw it on. do so as best you can

Now the tricky bit
take the other bit and place the surface you want the hinge to align too on the same flat surface.

NOW you will have to hang it over the edge or something.... secure the bit with the hinge on it at right angles to the other bit and line up the face of the hinge that mates with the bit you have already attche.......
Oh forget it. ......

you have to do it with the two pieces at right angles and the hinge opened.

it will probaly open a bit more than 90 deg when its all finished.

youll get the idea

cheers

The best method I've used is to stick the things on with double sided tape which can be 'forced' to give the correct location then screw the thing together, tape and all.

That's not a bad system Otakirilad.
In fact, that would have saved about 30 misplaced holes in my timberwork.

Soundman, that is what I eventually did to get it all to work properly. It is all still a bit hit and miss unless you have got a jig to set it all up correctly. Otakirilad's suggestion seems to be the way to go.