The Technique of FURNITURE MAKING

MISCELLANEOUS HINGES

Figure 256:8 shows a secretaire combined hinge and stay for light flaps, and 256:6 the reversible screen hinge which allows the separate wings of a screen to fold either way. With these the screen thickness must not be more than the distance between the knuckle centres, while if it is less the movement will not be affected but the wings will show a gap. A type of invisible hinge is shown in 256:7 and attaching positions in 260. In 260:1, 2 the hinge is centrally placed, while 260:3, 4 show an inset door with hinge off centre, and 260:5,6 an onset door. These hinges

are made in a range of sizes for different door thicknesses and are usually placed centrally in the door thickness, although there is some latitude as shown in 260:3, 4, and a trial assembly in waste wood may be necessary, for mortises once cut cannot be shifted, as with the screw holes of a butt hinge.

NEW HINGES

The necessity for rapid assemblies in production-work has brought about a minor revolution in hinging techniques, and new types of hinge are continually appearing, mostly from European sources. Some show boldly and can be featured, for the finish is usually excellent, while others are partially or wholly hidden. It should be borne in mind, however, that imported hinges which call for machine-drilled or routered recesses are made in metric sizes only, therefore standard inch bits and drills will not fit exactly, and the recesses will have to be enlarged by hand.

Figure 261:1 shows the cylindrical door hinge for secret installation which gives a full 180° opening and only requires the boring of two holes. The main body is split, and tightening the set screws exerts a tightening action within the hole. This type is not suitable for anything but light pattern doors or flaps, as any strain on the hinge can pull it bodily from the hole unless it is anchored by a side screw passing through the thickness of the wood. Figure 261:2 is an invisible hinge with seven steel pins and full 180° opening, very positive in action and an improvement on the hinge illustrated earlier for heavy doors, as the latter can exhibit a fractional drop when first fitted which is difficult

262 Hinge slots

to correct. A single-door high-quality decorative cranked hinge is shown in 261:3 which gives an opening of 270°, and 261:4 a decorative lift-off hinge, while 261:5 is a door and flap hinge. A pivot hinge for overlaid (onset) doors is shown in 261:6 in which a 1/4 in (6 mm) groove is cut to receive the knuckle which is flush with the face and edge of the door. This type is suitable for tall wardrobe or cupboard doors which require an additional central hinge. Figure 261:7 is a semi-mortise hinge with either two or three leaves (261:7A, B) for single or double doors hinging from one central division, and 261:8 a concealed hinge. This type can be positioned as shown at 261:8A or 261:8B, but a dummy run should be made for the position of the hinge can be varied within narrow limits, and final adjustment after assembly is made with the set screw provided. Figure 261:9 is a semi-invisible hinge with concealed pivot point. An improved table-flap hinge is shown in 260:7, and 260:8 shows asemi - secretpivot hinge for fall flaps.

Certain types of hinge require very narrow slots (262) and these can be worked by hand with a hinge-slotting tool.