Fittings to a small bix
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9 January 2017 at 6:24 pm #144037
I’ve been making a box with a saw-off lid and I’m trying to put the hinges on.
I’m not sure of the right way to get the lid as flush as possible to bottom of the box. I started by cutting the hinges mortices to the depth of the hinge leaf but this leaves a big gap at the back of the box. Do I just need to cut the mortices deeper; should I cut a tapered mortice allow for the barrel of the hinge?
Any advice appreciated.
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You must be logged in to view attached files.10 January 2017 at 1:06 pm #144074What you have is typical and acceptable. If you go deeper with the hinges, you risk making the top “hinge bound” where the front of the lid does not close up. That is a problem.
Boxes look goo to me. Nice job….
12 January 2017 at 10:35 pm #144154Thanks Bret – that’s interesting. I’ve fitted very few hinges and never on this type of a bix. I must say I thought the aim was to as close a fit as possible. I can see though it would be easy to go too deep and mess it up big time.
I wonder on a box like this how it would work if I was fitting a lock and whether the gap would make a difference.
Anyway it was an enjoyable project – all from rough saw stick – so I’ll quit while I’m ahead and get the shellac out.
Cheers
Bill
7 March 2017 at 12:46 am #309846I have done similar boxes, and come up with the same problem. On some, I very slowly deepened the hinge mortise until the lid sat flat. You have to go very slowly, as your are making a cut on the top hinge and bottom hinge, and that doubles the cut. The hinge lips will sit lower than the edge of the box, but when they shut, they have a natural gap and is what causes the lid to sit high.
Keep this in mind. It worked for me. But and the big BUT… listen to the other with more experience, I am still learning myself.
This is also why I like using a more decorative hinge that is exposed on the back of the box. So much easier to install, and the hinge adds to the decoration of the finished product. I try to get any kind of hinge but a square one (for looks only).
Here’s an idea that will perhaps be helpful without ruining your box. Get two pieces of wood and do some practice cuts with the hinge. You will soon see what you need to do. When they close tightly, you got it. Practice first, don’t waste that box, those dovetails look great.
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