Table Hinge

[robertpeters]

Hello All,

if anyone has posted this question in the past, then I am blind and I apologize in advance. When it comes to my AS, I wound up replacing all of the hinges for the storage bins with good old piano hinges and they work fantastic. What I can't figure out is how to do the table so that when it flips open the 2 pieces sit flush with one another and no gaps. I tried barrel hinges last year and they worked for a short while, but with constant opening and closing (& kids) they didn't last too long as they are really not that durable. Has anyone any ideas, or know where to pick up the same type of plastic hinge system that AS originally used back in 69? For us, the bigger problem with gaps or the knuckle of a hinge protruding is the problems in eating and playing games with the kids...

[mello mike]

Can you post a pic of the issue? This will help us help you.

[robertpeters]

Hello Mello Mike,

I will try to get some photos, but I am not that computer literate... :-) But, to better explain; the way that the table was originally built was that the table was in 2 halves, and they were attached together by a plastic hinge that extended across the entire joint. Therefore, when you opened the table up they sat flush with no gap and nothing sticking up above the joint - a nice flat surface. That is what I am trying to get to again, just not sure how to do it outside of barrel hinges and I really don't want to go back down that road. If you want to know what they are like, can do a search on the Lee Valley website. (No, that was not a plug and I don't have an interest in their store)

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by csorba

Hello Mello Mike,

I will try to get some photos, but I am not that computer literate... :-) But, to better explain; the way that the table was originally built was that the table was in 2 halves, and they were attached together by a plastic hinge that extended across the entire joint. Therefore, when you opened the table up they sat flush with no gap and nothing sticking up above the joint - a nice flat surface. That is what I am trying to get to again, just not sure how to do it outside of barrel hinges and I really don't want to go back down that road. If you want to know what they are like, can do a search on the Lee Valley website. (No, that was not a plug and I don't have an interest in their store)

If not a barrel hinge, how about a soss hinge? Soss, Sepa and Barrel Hinges – Rockler – Invisible Hinges, from Inside and Out

Bill

[Bowmans]

We used the original hardware on our table. It folds out as you describe and needs to have the 2 pieces flush and no hardware showing. The Soss hinge link above that Bill gave you (concealed Soss hinges) is exactly what is in ours. Beware - It does require a good amount of drilling out to sink them into the ends ot the table. Our table tops are 3/4" thick and it leaves JUST enough wood on each side of the hinge.



Here is a shot of the table tops we made and if you look close at the bottom of the photo, the cutouts for the hinges (right one shows a hinge in one of the slots).

[robertpeters]

Thanks for the info gentlemen... I used the original hardware from my table as well, minus the hinge. I have been looking at the Soss hinges and was quite concerned about the amount of material leftover also but they seem to work so long as you are very careful in mortising. With the amount of material leftover I might be better coming up with something else. I wound up planing down my 3/4" stock to the same thickness as the plywood as you have done Bowmans, so might try something else.

By the way Bowmans, I hope that "she" names it quickly... LOL

[Bowmans]

HAHAHA! I think we will be naming her before we set sail the first time which should be soon...

Good luck with your hinge hunt!