Opinions on Cheap Hinges

One option you could use is buying a nice piano hinge and cutting it to length to fit your porjects. I have used this method on several ocasions and have even filed the ends for a custom hinge look. you can get up to 24 hinges out of a 4’ hinge . just depends on what you want to do.

-- Jeff, Ability will never catch up with the demand for it. - Malcolm Forbes

I, like you, hate to spend 30bucks for Brusso hinges. I have used the cheaper hinges from HD and Loews but I swagged them before installing on the box. By swagging, I mean that I put them in a vise and squeeze the leafs together so that the leafs are flat together. This way I can mortise them into the box frame and the box will close completely, all the way around. I like JT’S suggestion to use piano hinges instead of the individual ones.

i use these decorative ‘stop hinges’
from lee valley
(they do need to be on flat backs
not overhanging tops)
they stop when the top is straight up
so the weight doesn’t rip them off
when the top flips back

cheap too

http://www.leevalley.com/US/hardware/page.aspx?p=46481&cat=3,41241,41245&ap=1

and some Round Head brass wood screws
(get them in different gauges and lenghts
for wood thickness)

http://woodworker.com/2x14-fl-p1-brass-plated-screw-mssu-853-210.asp?search=&searchmode=2

-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle

Barrel hinges have a nice action and small ones don’t cost
that much.

What about these?

http://www.horton-brasses.com/store/clock/clockboxhinges

-- It's all good, if it's wood...

I use 1/8” brass rod for pin hinges in my boxes. I figure they cost about 20 cents per box… but what I like best is that they are not visible when covered with a plug… so only the wood box is seen.

-- Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. http://www.FineArtBoxes.com

These are my favorite sites for hardware that won’t cost you an arm and a leg:

http://www.kennedyhardware.com/hinges/

http://www.dlawlesshardware.com/butthinges.html

-- HorizontalMike -- "Woodpeckers understand..."

Gr8 answers, ideas, and links.

-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Kentuk55@bellsouth.net

Thanks for all the suggestions! I ordered a few different hinges from Lee Valley and this weekend I’m going try a piano hinge. Thanks again!

-- David

Thanks for mentioning us HorizontalMike!

We actually have an entire section for trunk and jewelry box parts. Great prices and great quality.

http://www.dlawlesshardware.com/trunk.html There should be a lot of stuff you can use in this section.

Coupon code “lumberjocks” will get you an extra 10% off.

-- D. Lawless Hardware http://www.dlawlesshardware.com

Dlawless, those are some impressive prices.
I bookmarked your site and will be making a purchase very soon. :)
And props for the LJ discount.

-- He who dies with the most tools... dies with the emptiest wallet.

http://lumberjocks.com/projects/36519

Maybe make your own like fellow LJer Spalm does.
You can make ones that compliment or contrast your work
and I betcha it will look awesome.