DIYbanter - View Single Post - Aligning hinges on box lid, or nearly anything else...

John Santos

In article ,
says...

"Thomas G. Marshall" . com
wrote in message news:PxFRj.2804$uS1.1332@trndny05...

Sorry for this, but this has always mystified me.

Given a small box that I can put a lid on with either a piano hinge or two
smaller hinges, how on earth do I align it so that it closes perfectly?

I envision using some kind of double sided tape to attach the hinges until
by experimentation it closes right, but I am not quite sure what else to
do.

Thanks!

I attach the hinges to the lid first and put a small piece of double stick
tape on the entire surface that will come in contact with the box. Set the
lid on the box exactly where you want it to fit and the apply pressure over
the hinges.

It seems to me that if the two hinges aren't both attached to the lid
such that the hinge pins are lined up (in 3 dimensions, which means 6
degrees of freedom, though the plane of the surface you are mounting
the hinges on would remove one of those), you'll still have problems.

My hinge experience has been with shed doors (large, floppy, and not
critical that they look nice) and kid's Pirate Chests (where slightly
squirrelly hinges lend an air of authenticity.) I've a couple of
projects in mind where more precise hinges would be important. :-)

Carefully open the lid and use something to support the lid so that the
hinges will not have to support it. Using a "Vix" bit I drill "1" hole on
each hinge and put a screw in each pilot hole. Test the fit. If the fit is
good use the Vix bit to drill the remainder of the pilot holes and then
scribe a line with a utility knife around the hinges to establish the
location of the hinge mortise. Remove the screws and lid. Cut the mortises
and reattach the lid.

The key is to use a self centering bit to accurately place the holes for the
screws. If you are not dead centered, the screws will displace the hinge.
The Vix bit is relatively inexpensive and works very well.

I think you are describing a method for concealed hinges (where the
hinge plates are attached to the mating surfaces of the box, and only
the pin is visible when the box is closed) if that's the right term.
The same kind of hinge that is usually used on a house door, but
smaller.

For strap hinges (where the hinge is attached to the outside of the
box and is totally visible when the box is closed), I've though of a
method which might work.

Place the lid on the box, carefully aligned. (Could use tape to
hold it in place.)

Put a piece of double-sided tape where each hinge will go, and
carefully place the hinges in place.

Open and close the box, adjusting the hinge location as necessary
until it works nicely.

Drill pilot holes with a self-centering bit. (Do one hole first
in the lid and box and fasten a screw in each of the holes, to
keep it from shifting around while you drill the others.)

Mark for mortises, if needed.

Remove hinges and tape, make mortises, and reattach with all
screws.

I also have a second method that might not work as well but
doesn't require double-sided tape.

Put a strip of transparent tape over the hinges and (once
aligned) drill the pilot holes through the tape.

Fasten at least one screw tightly (through the tape) on each
side of each hinge, and then mark the mortises. The marking
knife will cut away the tape, so it is necessary to fasten
the hinges securely before marking.

Then remove the screws, tape and hinges, cut the mortises,
and reattach.

Does anyone have a better, simpler or more accurate method?

--
John