Baldhead
Established Member
Are there any 'rules' as to what size butt hinges you use on boxes, or is it just 'what looks right'?
Baldhead
Baldhead
Hinge sizes
- Thread starter Baldhead
- Start date
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custard
Established Member
It's a good question, I don't think there are any rules but for what it's worth I've seen many nice boxes ruined by too large hinges, which makes the project look clunky. For delicate boxes and cabinets I always think slightly too small is better than slightly too large. A three knuckle hinge about 18mm x 20mm (opened) is about as big as I'd want to go.
Small as possible tends to look right IMHO. The problem often is that the sides tend to look better at a thickness smaller than the smallest hinges.
My rule of thumb is to make a jewellery box 300 x 200 x 100mm with about 15mm sides. The last butt hinges I bought were from Isaac Lord and were about 20mm x 10mm. I seem to remember that they were not on the website but it was 12 months ago. They were solid brass.
I sometimes change the box size a bit, but stay with roughly 3x2x1 as a ratio, or 2x1x1 or square. I tend to start at 15mm for sizes and maybe drop a mm or 2 if the box is smaller. The next ones that I make I am going to try some lift off lids.
These dimensions work for me, aesthetically. I know that other people use different ones.
My rule of thumb is to make a jewellery box 300 x 200 x 100mm with about 15mm sides. The last butt hinges I bought were from Isaac Lord and were about 20mm x 10mm. I seem to remember that they were not on the website but it was 12 months ago. They were solid brass.
I sometimes change the box size a bit, but stay with roughly 3x2x1 as a ratio, or 2x1x1 or square. I tend to start at 15mm for sizes and maybe drop a mm or 2 if the box is smaller. The next ones that I make I am going to try some lift off lids.
These dimensions work for me, aesthetically. I know that other people use different ones.
custard
Established Member
By the way, I'm getting more and more of my quality brassware from Horton Hinges in the US. Almost Brusso quality but at less than half their prices, and postage is surprisingly affordable (ignore the scary price that comes up on their web site, they'll email you with a much better postage charge in a day or two).
