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There are three basic types of chest hinges: Overlay, Butt, and Pneumatic. Learn how to install strap hinges on your antique chest so that you can make the most of your investment. A sharp chisel is an excellent tool for this task, as it will make the job easier and make the recess smoother. The recess needs to be deep enough for the hinge to work properly, otherwise it will pull out when closed.
Overlay
When you are ready to install overlay strap hinges on your chest, you can begin by cleaning the recesses of your chest. Next, you should put the top into place, making sure that it overlaps the chest back evenly. You can then transfer the hinge locations from the recesses to the top of the chest. Make sure to mark the hinge locations from the back of the chest. This will make it easier to mark the exact location of the hinges later on.
You can choose between two types of overlay strap hinges: concealed and full wrap. The concealable style requires a hole in the chest frame that is appropriate for the hidden hinge. You can install this type of hinge by drilling the hole appropriately. The hidden style hinge is great for attaching lids to boxes. You will need a hole the appropriate size for the hidden barrel style hinge, and the screws must be facing the frame. The concealed style is the most popular type of overlay strap hinge. It has three screws, and it adjusts to the frame of the door.
The half-overlay type has rabbets on both sides of the opening. The hinge is adjustable, covering approximately 5/16″ of the overlay. If two doors hinge on opposite sides of the 3/4″ partition, there will be 1/8″ gap between them. Full-overlay hinges, on the other hand, cover the entire front edge of the chest. They are referred to as Semi-Concealed hinges, as they do not require a mortise.
Butt
A great way to prevent a slammed lid is by installing a lid support. This support is a great way to match the color of the hinges to the rest of the project. A strong support is also important because the lid of a chest is about one-inch thick. You can find a variety of supports at Rockler. Choose one that can hold 125-inch-pounds of load per side.
Strap hinges are surface-mounted with screws, unlike T hinges. T hinges require mortising the butt portion of the hinge, whereas strap hinges are surface-mounted. You can find inexpensive strap hinges for under $2 at The Home Depot, but if you want more decorative style strap hinges, you should consider a custom-made one. You can also find decorative strap hinges or even hinges made of other materials.
First, you need to measure the depth of the hinge. Generally, hinges are set at about 5″ from top to bottom, so you should use measurements from other doors to determine the depth of the new door. When installing multiple pairs of hinges, a combination square or butt marker can simplify the installation process. However, if you plan to use different sized hinges, make sure you have different sized butt markers.
Pneumatic
A chest is a basic furniture piece. Its versatility has seen it adopted by nearly every furniture style. You can find different kinds of chests to suit a wide variety of uses. You will need hardware to attach the chest lid, including screws and hinges. Do not purchase the hardware from your local hardware store, since you might not be familiar with how to install it properly. Instead, buy the pieces you need from a manufacturer or online.
A common type of chest hinge is a strap hinge. This type of hinge has a long, narrow leg that extends more than halfway across the lid. The long leaf is often too thick to rest flush against the top of the chest. To fix this issue, consider installing an offset in the short leg and a long strap in the back board. This way, you can get the desired look and functionality.
Another type of chest hinge is the heavy-duty strap hinge. These hinges are commonly used on gates, barn doors, and small shed doors. Because these hinges are so heavy, they can be installed on wider surfaces. The straps are staggered to spread the weight evenly and prevent wood from splitting. If you prefer a different material for the hinges, you can opt for a galvanized steel or a brass pin.
A pneumatic strap hinge is another type of hardware that can be used on a chest lid. These hinges can be used in a variety of applications, including toy boxes, ice chests, and other types of cold storage. They come in many shapes and sizes, so it is important to choose the right kind for the project. Mike Dunbar walks you through each type and explains how to install it. He also provides tips on installing lid supports.
Antique chest hinges
You can turn your home center hinges into antique treasures with a little bit of elbow grease. Before installing the hinges, you’ll need to determine whether your hinges are brass or some other metal. If they are brass, you’ll need to strip them with muriatic acid. Work outdoors so as not to damage your furniture. After stripping, apply gun bluing and rub it in with steel wool to create an antique look. When the process is complete, apply WD-40 to seal the hinges.
If the old hinges are in good shape, you can use a marking gauge to set the depth and width of the mortise. Using a 35 mm Forstner bit, you should drill a hole that is just deep enough to accommodate the hinge cup. The edge of the hole should be about 1/8″ away from the edge of the door stile. It’s easiest to install open back hinges before the cabinet back is put on. You should set the gauge at half of the barrel thickness and drill the holes using the cutting wheel.
European hinges
When you want to update your furniture, you can choose to add European-style strap hinges to your furniture. These hinges are typically found on decorative items such as chests and cabinets, but you can also use them on other pieces of furniture. This type of hinge has a long history, having been in use for over 100 years. To install these hinges, you will first need to determine the style of your chest or cabinet.
Once you have decided on a style and type of European strap hinges, you’ll need to drill holes and mount them. A #5 Vix bit is recommended for this task. You may also need to attach mounting plates to your doors. Once the mounting plate is attached, you can then attach the hinge to the door. Installing European strap hinges on a chest or other piece of furniture requires the proper knowledge and tools.
When choosing a type of hinge, you can choose between case and butterfly. Case hinges have decorative features, while butterfly hinges are more functional. Butterfly hinges are also available in lightweight and heavy-duty options. Both types of hinges can be used on a chest, including cabinet doors. European strap hinges are also known as piano hinges. Unlike case hinges, these hinges are long and narrow and run the length of the joint.
There are many different types of strap hinges, and the most common style is the strap. These hinges are typically used for utility applications, such as drawers, but you can also use decorative strap hinges if you’re looking to install them on an ornamental chest or box. The strap also has a variety of finishes, so you should be able to find one to complement the rest of the design. Depending on the style and material of your chest, you may need to use a screwdriver, utility knife, and chisel to install them.
