This blog is dedicated to sharing the concept that our hands are essential to learning- that we engage the world and its wonders, sensing and creating primarily through the agency of our hands. We abandon our children to education in boredom and intellectual escapism by failing to engage their hands in learning and making.
Friday, February 13, 2009
wooden hinges and trial fit
I made the wooden hinges this morning. The Gifkins jig worked great for cutting the matching parts and I used a new technique, drilling both halves of the hinge at the same time for the hinge pins to fit. This was an idea suggested by one of my students and it worked.
The photo above shows the hinges fit to the natural edged maple lids and placed on top of the boxes to get a glimpse of how the finished boxes will look. I will gently shape the ends of the lids. I shaped the hinges as shown below, but they still need more work, making them taper towards the ends for a more delicate look. The bases are glued up and ready for final shaping and fitting tomorrow.
Drilling both halves of the hinges in one pass is one of those "Aha!" moments. It makes perfect sense, and the pieces will fit together better because of it.
ReplyDeleteMario
hi there,
ReplyDeleteI have developed a wooden hinge that is completely different to the usual. easy to make, strong and elegant to the eye. If you would like a look contact me at: paul.austin0132@orange.fr.
very kind regards Paul.
Hello Doug,
ReplyDeleteI would like more information from you on these hinges. May I call you to discuss?
Eg. - Have you had any problem with the hinges binding with wood expanding and contracting due to humidity changes?
Matt
Urncraftsman.com
Matt, I have an article coming out in Fine Woodworking on making these hinges. I've not had particular trouble with expansion and contraction of wood on these, but they are not as strong as brass hinges and are not easily repaired or replaced like metal hinges would be.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I don't have time for phone calls.
I’m not sure how old this thread is, but can someone explain what a Gifkins jig is
ReplyDeleteCould someone explain
ReplyDelete