As I continue to brainstorm the wedding card box, I'm looking at hardware. I plan for this to be an open box with the attached lid at 90 degrees for cards to be placed inside (rather than a slit opening in the lid). Later it can be used as a memory box. Thus, I need hinges or a support to hold the lid. Started searching, but have limited (and somewhat frustrating) experience with hinges. Also will likely want a clasp. Appreciate any suggestions! I'm hoping to keep cost in check, but want a nice look.
Found these that look doable:
Jiozermi 12 Pcs Bronze Hinges, 90 Degree Jewelry Box Hinge Wood Box Mini Hinge Gift Box Zinc Alloy Chest Case Hinge with Screws https://a.co/d/0o83wmB
Geenite Zinc Alloy Box Hinge Cigar Case Furniture Hardware 90 Degree Folding Support Hinge for Jewelry Wine Wooden Box Connect Mount Silver Hinges 2 pcs (Silver) https://a.co/d/7QUM602
20pcs 90° Mortise Spring Hinge Angle Support Spring Hinge for Small Jewelry Wine Case Watch Box Wooden Lid Door Closer (Bronze) https://a.co/d/3o0QvXW
Assume these sets are too light SDTC Tech Antique Bronze Rectangle Right Hook Hasp Latch and Engraved Hinge Kit for Decorating Vintage Style Furniture Jewelry Box Cabinet Suitcase (2X Hasps + 4X Hinges) https://a.co/d/dZfjTbv
It's hard to beat Brusso for the 95 degree stop hinges, but the price is. There are a number of "stop" hinges that can be found, even some short (3") piano style for <= 1/2" sides (Rockler among others). Also, with appropriate stop blocks, you can use regular hinges and let the lid hit the stop blocks at the desired angle. These blocks can be just (decoratively) be stuck onto the back or could be legs.
Or use the box back internally with a recessed lid using pin hinges.
The lid is smaller than the box interior to leave a 1/16" gap so the lid can open easily. I used thin washers (1/16") over the hinge pins to keep the gap around the lid even.
The hinge pins are brass rod. The lid in this case is 1/2" thick, so for a flush fit, the hinge holes are centered on the lids thickness (1/4" down) and the same 1/4" down on the box sides.
The back of the lid has a 1/4" radius round along the rear top edge over so the top edge won't contact the back of the box when opened. The pin hole is also 1/4" forward from the rear of the lid.
To compensate for the 1/16" gap around the lid, the pin hole is forward from the back inside of the box by 1/4" + 1/16" (5/16" total) When the lid is fully open, it will tilt back slightly from vertical to contact the box back.
For a box of this size, locating the holes is fairly critical so it sits evenly. I've made other boxes where the from of the lid overlaps the from of the box which is easier to fit well.
Splintergroup and HokieKen - thank you for those links. It was hard to tell what is quality versus "not" when I was searching. It will be a relatively heavy lid based on size so need something durable.
I like to make an integrated hinge where I drill a hole in the inside of the side and into each side of the lid and put a steel or brass pin in there...kinda my own design....................Cheers, Jim
Cheers, Jim ........................ Variety is the spice of life...............Learn something new every day
If you are considering a box of similar dimensions to your linked video, the hinges I linked to would be too small. The video shows the Brusso hinges which I have used before. Very easy to install with a good router template setup, but they are $$$. I bought a bunch years ago when they had a 1/2 price sell, I think then they were about $20/set with the sale. Kenny's quadrant hinges are also probably too small, but that is an excellent price. They do require a fair bit of precision router work to fit. Other alternatives include a chain to limit the opening.
These are pretty slick too. Basically the same as Splint's last pic but totally hidden. You could use them with a chain as Splint suggested or design in such a way that the lid creates its own stop like Splint's box.
Brusso may be a bit more than I hoped to spend (hate to be cheap, but don't anticipate this will get high usage).
HokieKen - those are interesting (video was helpful to see how they work). Perhaps a bit more of a challenge on install and would require a shift in design.
Would this be sufficient? Seems like it would be easy to install and would have the "hold open" aspect covered. Not sure if that section that wraps into the lid would be an issue in the design.
Probably so BB. How big will your box be and how thick? I'd just make sure they are big enough to fit the box aesthetically and to hold the weight of the lid up. If the box won't be much bigger than greeting cards though, I think that size should be good. Personally I prefer the bronze finish too 😊
HokieKen- looking at these more closely and not sure it will be sturdy enough. I'm thinking the box will be 14-16 inches wide, 11-12 inches deep, and total of about 9-10 inches tall. The lid will be pretty heavy as I'm thinking of solid wood.
Those pin hinges that allow for lid removal are slick, but I see them as more of a path to redemption when using hidden pins and you forget to install the lid when assembling the box 😩
Down side to pins IMO is the need for super-accurate hole placement so the lid fits nicely. Advantage of exposed pins is the holes can be pre-drilled into the sides before assembly, then the lid can be positioned into place with shims and a drill run through the holes to mark the pin holes for the lid. Through pins also allow the lid to be installed after assembly incase "someone" forgets to take that into account.😬
The 2" wide box hinges are nice, but you might need 3 versus 2 for the strength. The quadrant hinges linked have the advantage of not requiring the usual morticing which would make for an easier install.
I rarely spend a lot on hinges for boxes unless they are focally visible and/or get used a lot. Even on my sewing box style carving tool box, I just grabbed some cheapos. I agree with George, you get what you pay for. But, I also agree that sometimes all you “need” is mediocre so that’s all you should pay for 😉
HokieKen- I really don't want these to be a focal point, and use will be low. I appreciate the "get what you pay for" but also want to keep within a reasonable budget. So, I've been searching. These look ok as they would not be visible when the box is open (main way it would be used for the wedding cards).
