Making Custom Cabinet Hinges

[DTTech]

I like the idea of this project. I like the suggestion of the hinge pieces being dovetailed into the flat section =D> I was going to suggest the same method but drilled, countersunk and tapped - or even dowel pinned. Depends how strong they have to be.

Look forward to seeing how you end up doing this.

 

[Setch]

Unless I've missed something, what you have shown is basically a parliament hinge - could you simply cut down a ready made product to the asymetric shape you've designed?

 

[marcus]

Unless I've missed something, what you have shown is basically a parliament hinge - could you simply cut down a ready made product to the asymetric shape you've designed?

Yes, it is! I would use a standard one but the trouble is I can only find ones that are much bigger than I need — ie joinery size, rather than small cabinet size. If you know of a source for little parliament hinges I'd be very pleased to know about it!

I'm still playing around with different ideas for this at the moment, but haven't made much progress yet due to more pressing work that has needed to be done. Hopefully I will have something to report soon.....

 

[Peter Sefton]

Finding bespoke quality hinges can be a real problem for furniture makers, Birmingham was the centre of hinge and lock making - does anyone know of hinge makers or metal workers that would be interested in these type of projects or maybe a retiree who would relish the challenge of making something unique to this quality? If so please PM me.

Cheers Peter

 

[marcus]

Finding bespoke quality hinges can be a real problem for furniture makers

+1 to that!

does anyone know of hinge makers or metal workers that would be interested in these type of projects or maybe a retiree who would relish the challenge of making something unique to this quality? If so please PM me.

+1 to that as well!

 

[marcus]

Hi Peter,

A while ago you asked on this thread about getting custom hinges made. Well I have finally found an answer! I gave up on making the ones I wanted myself, as I was not confident I could do a good enough job. I asked loads of precision engineers and blacksmiths, no one was interested even in quoting. Finally someone suggested a process I had never even heard of — EDM wire cutting.

So I got in touch with this company: http://www.wire-cut.co.uk and they were able to do the job from a sketchup drawing. Got the components today (minus pins, I am fitting those myself). Very nice, extremely neat and a perfect fit.

The chamfered design was a choice, not a limitation of the process. They need a bit polish as the surface left by the process is not that attractive, but it doesn't take much to get a nice satin look.

Cost was just under £50 per hinge, which is a lot, but potentially worth it for one-off projects where the design depends on a non-standard hinge being used.... I order four, and I don't think I could have made them myself for less....

 

[tool-me-up]

I would look at drilling down the center of a brass rod - small, but fairly lathe required - then cutting to size to create the holes for the pin - you can either silver solder, tap and thread ( look at model engineering for an idea how small you can get threads to be) or braze them to plates.
Cutting brass sheet is fairly easy work with a hack saw - it doesnt take much filing either its a soft metal. Just keep a couple good wire brushes close by to clean the file every now and then.
Of course a flap disc and angle grinder will get it nice and straight a lot quicker - leaving you only the finish filing to be done but you probably need a welders helmet or a full face shield to stop you getting gob fulls of hot brass dust i would go with mask too if power sanding as it raises a very fine and hot dust every now and then which always seems to be aimed straight at your face