You are never too old

**MikeThePom** · 28th November 2021, 03:08 PM

For the last couple of weeks I have been making 12 finger jointed small boxes (20 x 15 x 12cm) to give to office colleagues when I retire in a week or so. They are made from cedar fence posts pulled up when they squashed 6 townhouses on a standard block next to me and pulled up the perfectly good fence. The posts have been in the ground almost 70 years but there is little sign of rot and, after a blast over the jointer (cleaning off the mud first!) ,there is some very usable timber.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the process, having to add T track to the router table, make a new finger joint sled for 6mm fingers and all the other problems solved on the way. It has now come to the bit I don't like, the hinges and finish. I have never enjoyed adding hinges as invariably there is a little rotation with these small (6 x 8 mm) beggers making the lid ill fitting. I was just about to give up today having twice cut rebates for the hinges only to find they were either too shallow, the holes for the ring nails they sent with the hinges were too far in or out........... Until I had a revelation. I don't know whether it is by design or just fluke with these tiny hinges but if I open one out to 90° and then pre-drill the nail holes the alignment comes out perfectly.
If this is how you are meant to do it then I apologise for not having seen that memo in my 40+ years of wood butchery. I am going to use several coats of my beeswax, boiled linseed oil and turps finish and, if I remember, will post pics when I finish.

Mike

**mpot** · 28th November 2021, 03:24 PM

Alignment of hinges can be finicky - and one way I've found works for me is to screw the hinges to one side (lid or box), then use a small amount of CA glue to glue the other half of the hinge to the other side. The purpose of the glue is to allow you to align the box and lid perfectly, wait for the glue to dry, and then add screws to the other half of the hinge.

**MikeThePom** · 28th November 2021, 04:51 PM

Mpot, thanks for the suggestion but been there and tried that, the main issue is how far inboard to put them so that they open and the box is not held open by a couple of mm due to binding etc. for alignment I resorted to the router with a straight cutting bit and a fence so lid and base had rebates perpendicular and the same distance from each end (flip the box to get left and right uniform). The sides are around 8mm and the hinge blade is 6mm so not a perfect scenario but .......

Mike

**aldav** · 28th November 2021, 06:15 PM

Now that you've taunted us with the details of your build posting pics. of the boxes is not a matter of 'if I remember', it's a MUST.

**woodPixel** · 29th November 2021, 02:21 AM

"Hinges are the undoing of many great boxes" - Socrates.

(Just made that up)

Seriously, hinges can drive one insane.

One tool I found "helped" me was the Incra T-rule. The ability to use fine measurements, repeatedly, really helped.

With mpots idea of CA, I'd think some super-dooper double sided tape might be better. I use this for everything (including lining). It is crazy sticky!

**Pauls321** · 29th November 2021, 07:14 AM

Not a bad idea there WoodPixel, I am assuming you just screw one leaf of the hinge on, place this tape under the other leaf, close box to ensure it is all nice and even, open box and pre drill, remove tape then screw.

I just purchased 15 pairs of those Brusso JB 101 hinges that were on special for half price. Might try this idea when they arrive.

Paul

**aldav** · 29th November 2021, 10:12 AM

What size box will you use the Brusso hinges on, Paul, they're tiny?

**Pauls321** · 29th November 2021, 04:32 PM

Hi Dave, yes I noticed that when I seen that half price offer, only 15mm wide. I've never bought any Brusso hinges before, but everyone says how good they are.

To answer your question I really dont know. If a person was to pay full price for those hinges it would have to be a pretty good box to justify the price. I paid $21 per pair, $25 with postage per pair.

I was thinking of a nice trinket type box with a timber inlay inside the perimeter of the lid but my brain hasn't been able to come up with a plan as yet. I think Brusso said about a 4 week wait before delivery.

Paul

**woodPixel** · 29th November 2021, 08:47 PM

Paul321, exactly the process. No need to even remove the tape.

Your Brusso purchase reminds me, this jig is used to route them perfectly: TJ-101 Installation Template - Brusso Hardware

TJ-101__48204.1361198607.jpg

edit - oooh! Look! They have my box on their instagram!

**Pauls321** · 29th November 2021, 09:56 PM

Hi WoodPixel, So you have that jig, is it very accurate?. I looked at it and thought it was a bit expensive (on top of the hinges), so I didnt worry about it. And your box looks excellent, very impressive I must say.

How does all this Instagram work for selling items, never got into that at all.

Paul

**woodPixel** · 29th November 2021, 10:23 PM

The jig is exact. I bought them years ago when on special, two of each for each hinge.... The special was very special!

For a one-off they are crazy expensive and cannot be justified, at all. Marking out by hand and using sharp chisels would be better.

I only use the Instagram for self glorification and to build my ego

I've had far more success in using Etsy for direct sales. For "real work" I dug up my clients by blind pitching them! It was so easy it was embarrassing.

I don't do much of that any more due to a move.... One day soon I'll be back!

**Pauls321** · 29th November 2021, 10:42 PM

Hi WoodPixel, yes that jig was $50 something each, I didnt worry about it. I do remember you selling off a lot of your timber several months ago.

So you're a bit like Arnie,............"I'll be back"

Paul

**homey** · 29th November 2021, 11:06 PM

Hi Paul,

Like woodPixel I have the Brusso brass templates and as wP says they are very accurate. I have them for the JB101, 103, side rail hinge 638, rear-mounted hinge (

) and their brass feet.

I don’t have the template for the JB 102s but I fitted a pair of these hinges today for a friend using a small router plane, knife and chisel. Wouldn’t want to fit dozens of pairs this way though. Makes me appreciate side rail hinges!

Regards,

Brian

Edit: Also have the template for the Brusso rectangular box catch - sooooo easy to fit.

**MikeThePom** · 4th December 2021, 05:40 PM

I have finally got some more shed time today and added a coat of a beeswax/boiled linseed oil / turps finish (yet to be buffed out). There are 4 variants. Removable lid, deep lid with micro hinges (20pcs Mini Brass Hinge For Small Wooden Drawer Door Size 8*10 Mm+80pcs Screws | Wish), shallow lid with micro hinges and shallow lid with mini hinges (50pcs Antique Bronze Mini Hinges Retro Butt Hinges with 200 Pieces Replacement Hinge Screws, with Plastic Contain Box | Wish).
box4 front.jpg box3 end.jpg box2 front.jpg box2 top.jpg box1 front.jpg box1.jpg

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