Coupla dumb hinge questions

[Dan Mitchell]

I recently completed a box, and today I picked up a set of these hinges http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=9834&filter=hinge

Thankfully, I had a $10 off $30 coupon :)

What would be the most straightforward way of accurately routing the mortise for the hinges (I have a router & router table which I've used a fair amount, but have not yet had to do a mortise like this), and also, referring to the pic below, should the line between the lid and bottom of the box go along the hinge pin, as in the top image, or alone the main line of the upper portion of the hinge, as in the bottom image? The images show the box right-side-up, click the image for a larger view.

Hinges are about 1/8" thick.

TIA

Dan

153023

[Dan Mitchell]

Bump.

Surely someone has some ideas on this? :D

[Jerome Stanek]

I would make a jig and use the router collets with a plunge router just like the hinge templates that they sell.

[Neal Clayton]

either make a jig, or pencil them into place and freehand the bulk out, then chisel the rest.

[Mike Henderson]

I mark the location of the hinge with a marking knife, then use a chisel to cut along the line. I then use a chisel and a router plane to get the hinge mortise flat.

Mike

[Bill Huber]

I don't see why you could not use a flip stick method on them. I really like it for all the small boxes I have made.
I did make two fences for my router table so I could move the box in straight and pull it back straight.
http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/image/110861375

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=102639&highlight=Flip+stick

On the placement I am not sure but it looks like it would work fine either way.I am sure someone will have the right answer on that part.

[Dan Mitchell]

Thanks for the replies. Bill, I have that article on the flip sticks & was considering that, and Jerome, I've seen those brass jigs they sell for the hinges ($$$) and attempting to reproduce one was something else I was considering. Have to work it all out. On using hand tools, I just don't have the skill (nor the super sharp tools) at the moment, plus the wood the box is made of is some super-hard bit of Lignum Vitae I got from the odds bin at Rockler.

The box came out quite well, so of course I fear screwing it up at the last moment with the hinge installation. I think I will try to reproduce the Brusso jig 1st.

Thanks again, all,

Dan