What hinges to use?

[Trevanion]

I’m pretty sure it’s been asked here before but I just want some opinions since I’m a bit rusty when it comes to fine woodworking.

I’m in the very early stages of thinking out a chest and I’m not quite sure what hinges to use to attach the top to the chest, I haven’t actually thought through anything yet such as actual timber dimensions or even the overall size of the thing (For rough sizes sake let’s say 900mm wide, 400mm deep and 400mm tall, roughly) I want the top which will be something like 20mm thick to overhang the edge of the chest all around by say 10mm or so. I’ve done a really rough sketch of the kind of construction I might be doing just for a bit of visual, I’m not sure whether I should hinge it off the horizontal inset rail somehow (this would have to have some kind of hinge that would get it past the protruding posts) or hinge it off the top of the post with a fancy pair of box hinges.

Hit me with some suggestions!

 

[Droogs]

Full length inset piano hinge attached to the back and underside of the lid over hang - gives advantage of stopping at 90 deg

Quadrant hinges

Hidden barrel hinges

butt hinges

 

[AndyT]

Old chests often have tee hinges, but cranked so that the barrel is projected outside the box.
Maybe you could use ordinary light or medium weight hinges but heat them up a bit and bend them in a vice?

 

[MikeG.]

How about a straight capping piece over the top of that construction, mitred at the corners, and going around all four sides? Then you could use orthodox butt hinges.

 

[Trevanion]

How about a straight capping piece over the top of that construction, mitred at the corners, and going around all four sides? Then you could use orthodox butt hinges.

That's not a bad idea! The thing is I haven't really finalised anything yet but I've got a rough idea of what I want it to look like, I don't want to bandy around the term "heirloom piece" but that's sorta what I'm going for so I want everything to be perfect in my head before I start touching any wood.

 

[Droogs]

these also look nice
https://www.locksonline.com/Neuform...MkLiu5YRqvNr1Efrhx-TkE3LlmYuWXB4aAs5mEALw_wcB
or pair of edwardian finial cast iron lift off hinge kitchen cabinet cupboard hinge | Ironmongery World

 

[MikeG.]

I put a capping piece on this one, but it isn't straight. I used lay-on T hinges.

 

[Trevanion]

I put a capping piece on this one, but it isn't straight. I used lay-on T hinges.

That looks pretty smart, there's some pretty curious looking joinery going on in that box, do you have a thread on it at all?

these also look nice
https://www.locksonline.com/Neuform...MkLiu5YRqvNr1Efrhx-TkE3LlmYuWXB4aAs5mEALw_wcB

I think that's exactly what I need, I see they also do a 20mm version which may be a better option for what I'm thinking of.

 

[Blackswanwood]

Parliament hinges may be worth considering.

 

[MikeG.]

That looks pretty smart, there's some pretty curious looking joinery going on in that box, do you have a thread on it at all?........

No, it's from about 15 years ago.

 

[recipio]

If its a very special piece you could use 'lid stay torsion hinges ' available from Rockler in the US. It would want to be special as they are about £50 a pair. However they act like a laptop hinge so the lid will not slam on delicate fingers. As an aside, I usually buy brass hinges online and notice that they have doubled in price in the last 5 years - even if made in China. Down to the price of brass I presume !

 

[Sgian Dubh]

I’m not sure whether I should hinge it off the horizontal inset rail somehow (this would have to have some kind of hinge that would get it past the protruding posts) or hinge it off the top of the post with a fancy pair of box hinges.

View attachment 92121​

Hit me with some suggestions!

Move the rear rail back so that its face is flush with the rear face of the leg. Moving this rail means moving the bottom rail so the panel grooves still line up. Or you could just make a thicker top rail to enable making the leg and rail faces flush. Hinge with butt hinges and include a stay to hold the lid open.

It changes the look a bit from what you've drawn, although it's at the back and mostly hidden until you open the lid. It's just one technical solution amongst many, but it does have the virtue of being simple. Only you can decide what works aesthetically and practically for your project. Slainte.