Box Making Hardware

[joiner_sim]

Now this has probably been asked a million times before, and if so I'm sorry for bringing it up again. However, I am going to bring it up and ask the question!

I have been looking around for hinges, locks and catches specifically designed to fit on boxes. I have found some but they come with a high price tag! Are they all very expensive or can you recommend somewhere I can get hardware at a cheaper price?

Also, what thickness do you tend to make your own boxes at?

 

[mtr1]

This stuff looks good, and Ian is a member.

 

[joiner_sim]

I'd already taken a look at his site, because I've seen a few boxes made on here using his hardware and thought it looked really nice. However, when I went on to look at the pricing, it shocked me as to how expensive the box hardware can be. That prompted me to search google, and only came back with similar prices and links that weren't any good for box hardware. Am I looking for a cheap alternative that doesn't exist and all box hardware is quite highly priced?

 

[mtr1]

Really, £37 is not expensive for good quality hardware, seemed good value to me.

 

[joiner_sim]

I do not know if its expensive or not really. I just know how much door ironmongry costs and imagined box hardware to be about the same price.

 

[RogerP]

Depends what exactly you need but I have found some bargains by keeping a close eye on eBay. Often stuff that's obviously been over-ordered appears at knock down prices.

 

[joiner_sim]

I'm just after bargain priced hardware, not got any requirements really, I'll make and design my box around the hardware I find.

 

[TheTiddles]

If it's as nice as the pictures I think Ian's stuff is great.

Always wanted to make my own, which when you factor in my time will cost a fortune!

Aidan

 

[lanemaux]

Do not know how much help this is , Lee Valley has a catalogue of hardware of various sorts in Canada. IIRC the prices were not too bad. Problem is I know not if UK delivery is available. Could try the website though , never need much of a reason to go there as it is always fun to see Rob's stuff.

 

[AndyT]

Could you give us a bit more of an idea on what sort of box you have in mind?
Fine jewellery box?
Toolbox?
Campaign chest?
Cutlery canteen?

etc...

 

[joiner_sim]

At the moment, I just want to make a box! Its purpose will is unknown until I see what sort of quality I can make it. I'd like to compare it to being of a jewellery box standard, in size and quality. And the hardware is the thing I need to look for first as it will determine the design of the box.

 

[CroppyBoy1798]

I've always fancied making myself a nice writing box, have a thing about pens and hand writing! so this thread may prove interesting and perhaps that push I needed! The sets on Ians site do indeed seem good value and I'm sure they are, if you're making a quality box, something to be proud of and hopefully pass on down the family then I'd sooner have some finely made/nicely finished fittings rather than something cheap and nasty. It'll be worth it in the long run. I'd like if there were some pictures of the sets that were being offered! Or am I missing something? :|

 

[joiner_sim]

If you still need a push CroppyBoy, then be sure to follow my FULL WIP that I plan on doing when I do start my box. At the moment I am thinking of a few things. One idea is a storage type box to just hold a few bits and bobs, I already have a dovetailed box like this, but I think I'd like one with a lift-out tray in also, and I wasn't really that good on the finish of this dovetailed box so I'd like to re-make it. The second idea I have is a shoe polish box as a gift for some-one who I know. And the third idea is also a gift for someone that collects football badges. This last idea is possibly the one I have put a bit more thought into rather than 'just a box'. Individual sections per badge, maybe more than one lift out try, maybe have the lid with compartments in also that when opened are displayed in their own sections also behind a piece of perspex/glass. The owner of the proposed box is a Birmingham City Fan, so I was also thinking of getting a square piece of stainless steel/ brass and having the club emblem engraved on and then inset the piece into the top of the lid.

They are my current ideas, although I think I'll attempt my simple storage box for myself first before giving gifts out as I probably need a practice!

 

[AndyT]

Plenty of choice at http://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk or

http://www.martin.co.uk.

 

[brianhr]

Try some of these
http://www.inbrass.co.uk/
http://www.isaaclord.co.uk/
http://www.j-shiner.co.uk/main.asp
http://www.marshall-brass.com/
http://www.rutlands.co.uk/
http://www.hingesandbrackets.co.uk/
http://www.martin.co.uk/home.aspx
http://www.doorfurnituredirect.co.uk/index.htm
http://www.fromtheanvil.co.uk/
http://www.scfhardware.com/index.php

This is a list from my Bookmarks, they may not all have the products you want.

 

[flounder]

The hardware from Ian is excellent quality and therefore represents good value. Also the service is excellent from him! If you are after something cheaper then I have used www.originalmarquetry.co.uk who have a reasonable choice of hardware.

 

[woodshavings]

I have used Ian's £20 set and have found it good value.
For some cheaper boxes, I have used the small Screwfix solid brass 25 x 16 mm, about £5 for a pack of 20.
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/18047/Iro ... Pack-of-20
They are unfinished so I polished them with Autosol before fitting, they come up a treat.

John

 

[joiner_sim]

Thanks for the additional links, thats more what I was looking for, I knew their was cheaper stuff out there. And I hope I haven't caused any offence to Ian about his pricing. His prices are reasonable for the quality of the products he is offering. However, I hate to admit it, but high quality wasn't exactly what I was after.

 

[devonwoody]

Over the past 7 years I make around 20 boxes a season and being retired I have also found hardware an expensive addition to the my hobby. Hence I cannot recall making boxes that require hardware for the past few years.

It would most probably be cheaper to tour the charity shops each week and by up second hand boxes and use the hardware if suitable.

 

[joiner_sim]

That's what I mean devonwoody! I remember seeing you post box after box, and if that happens to me, as I am limited to space and do not get that many orders coming in, then I think I will just keep making box to fine tune my skills as the timber isn't that highly expensive for box making. I mean I can get a length of North American White Oak finished at 2100x100x16mm for only £11.50 so I don't expect the hardware to cost me double or more in some cases. Some of the links people have posted in this thread are great and exactly what I'm after! Also, looked on eBay after it was suggested, found a jewellery box type lock (for only £6) from a trader, clicked on the trader for more info and found that their shop is about 10 miles away from me, and I regularily make journeys that way anyway, so I'm going to pop in next time I'm around there see if they do a full selection of box making hardware, thus saving on delivery charges and more!