Thread: External Box Hinge Jig

Neat idea. The only problem i have found with the stamped hinges is that there is play where the pin joins the two leaves both vertically and laterally.
When fitting these hinges vertically i clamp the lid to the base with 2 rows of making tape in between and when marking the holes i extend the vertical gap to its maximum, once the hinges are screwed in and the tape removed the lid will drop and there is minimal gap.
For the lateral fit i position the bottom leaf then slide the top leaf to the outside, once crewed in place there is no movement.
There is nothing worse than a hinged lid that has 1mm or more of lateral movement, really messes with my OCD

I had been thinking about play in the hinges. Vertically this can be compensated by changing the distance between the top and bottom holes either in the 3D model or when measuring. An increase of say, 0.1mm in both directions vertically changes the effect of the spacer from 0.4 to 0.2mm.

The lateral movement is a bit trickier, thanks for reminding me. The hinges I used haven’t any play in that direction so it is ok. Other types of hinges I found in the cache do, so to compensate for that one lot of the horizontal holes would need to be offset to the other set. It would also need left and right hand jigs.

My first design used holes in the corners of centre point rectangle so any size changes are symmetrical. Offset is a bit more involved but achievable.

In the past I’ve used a thin plywood lining sitting slightly proud of the base that keeps top and bottom aligned and a nice soft close.