Table Top - help please

[Newbie_Neil]

Hi all

I am making some end tables and instead of just a normal table, about 24" high, I quite fancy allowing some storage space.

I envisage the table top lifting up and being hinged on one side. Would you recommend piano hinges?

Is there a downside to doing this?

Thanks, in advance
Neil

 

[Argee]

If you've got sufficient depth inside the proposed storage compartment and sufficiently thick stock for the proposed top itself, I'd use conventional European cabinet hinges. You'd get the chance to finely adjust the fit of the top and it would look the same from each of the four edges, as it would be a full overlay door on its side. I'd use Hafele's clip-on range - then you could whip the top off for polishing!

Ray.

 

[Wanlock Dod]

Neil,

Personally I wouldn't go for a lifting top/lid, but thats only because I know that I couldn't be bothered with taking all the clutter that would gather on it to access the space. I think I'd go for drawers if the table wasn't for sitting at, although there would be less space.

OK so I'm bone idle, but at least I know it

Cheers,

Dod

 

[Midnight]

Neil... you need to think about where the top ends up once you've opened it... does it swing through 180 deg or stop just past the vertical... Piano hinge would do for the first, quadrants might be better for the 2nd...

If the top needs to hinge yet maintain a flush surface (no hinge knuckle protruding) then some dovetailed counter hinges might be best...

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Hi all

Thank you for your constructive replies, they were all helpful.

When I happened to float the idea with the loml, she was adamant that I was not going to have a glory hole in the lounge. She thought that I might accumulate tat there.

Thanks again.

Cheers,
Neil

PS One good thing that came out of it, when researching Mike's post, was that I found Philip Morris of Hereford who seem to have a very good architectural hardware web site.