Decking board boxes

A couple of simple boxes made from mitred Spotted Gum decking boards with Silver Ash liner and felt bottom. The left is a blackwood top and the right is Tas Oak. I think I like the Tas Oak more, the straight grained simpleness of it work well with the busier gum. Finished with 2 brushed on coats of blonde shellac.

I've had these off cuts for some 7 years. I was really surprised how nice the the spotted gum came up. They were random offcuts, so I tried to match the colors and grain type with limited success. Budget hinges and closures - they work fine as 'box I need to put some stuff in or it's going on the desk/dresser instead'.

Attachment 534196

Attachment 534197

Just had a bit of a look around for well priced hinges:

404 page

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/334773161924

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/404446313396

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Charlie_6ft

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/334773161924

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/404446313396

---

The first one is selling pressed steel junk. The hinges that Alkahestic has used on his boxes leaves these in the shade. You only have to look at his grossly misleading headline picture in another of his listings - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/33452858...IAAOSwr2Zi82eN - to see that he doesn't have a clue what he's selling and therefore can't be trusted. I notice that he works on Hong Kong time although both he and the product are supposedly located in Parramatta. :?

The second one would appear to be one of the Chinese sellers who's been signed up by a business associate located in Sydney so he can say that's where he's located. Have a look at the negative feedback. The variable quality of those small barrel hinges were the subject of a recent thread on this forum. It's pretty hard to recommend them.

I've bought all this junk in the past and used/tried to use it. Buyer beware! Unfortunately the old adage applies, you get what you pay for.

Not quite sure why you've posted this where you have rather than starting a dedicated thread?

Unfortunately I'd have to agree with Aldav, I tried a couple of sellers on eBay and Aliexpress and you get what you pay for. Fortunately I haven't been scammed yet, the hinges listed as solid brass have been solid brass and functional, ok quality. Prices seem to be still around the $2-4 mark for 25mm hinges, depending on how many you buy.

The box closures/clasps though, they were cheap as chips because they are just pressed steel, I think a dozen pairs cost under $10 shipped.

these boxes look great, really like what you've done with the inserts (I think i've just found a use for all the 6 mm cedar I have)

I like to use the 90deg hinges timbecon used to sell, bit exxy at $20 pair tho

a bloke in dungog still sells them if your interested

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hodgo

I like to use the 90deg hinges timbecon used to sell, bit exxy at $20 pair tho

a bloke in dungog still sells them if your interested

---

Yep, if you don't want to spend too much, but still want something of quality, Veneer Inlay, based in Dungog is a good place to have a look. He knows what he is selling so that alone makes him steps ahead of the 'Chinese junk shop' sellers. :2tsup:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hodgo

these boxes look great, really like what you've done with the inserts (I think i've just found a use for all the 6 mm cedar I have)

---

Thanks Hodgo, yes, using all the thin and smaller off cuts helps cull the ever growing piles of wood 'that I might use one day'. Cedar would make amazing linings.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aldav

Not quite sure why you've posted this where you have rather than starting a dedicated thread?

---

"Budget hinges and closures" ... in my mind it's all related every aspect of this crafted box is talking topic it's how I personally learn from makers and peoples comments like yours. Good to know about budget hinges and to stay clear of them, you learn something new everyday :)