Antique Bench Hinges

[Keel McDonald]

Good morning creekers. I recently built this "antique" bench out of some old wood I salvaged from an old barn on my grandmother's place (I think it's probably oak). I got the design from surfing the internet looking at various "antique" benches. Does anyone have any idea what type of hinges would be appropriate for the lid? I built a similar bench about a year ago and just put regular butt hinges on it, but they really didn't seem to go with the style. Thanks for any help.

[Mike Cutler]

Iron strap hinges, or thick, oiled leather strapping hammered into the top and back with square headed nails, bent over on the backside.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Possibly some wrought iron hinges? Nice job BTW

[Randy Meijer]

Piano hinges have been around for a long time......don't know if you would consider them to be "antique" or not? You can buy chemicals from stained glass shops(and probably other places as well) that would create a nice patina on the metal and give it the appearance of being as old as the wood.

[Jim Knauss]

Nice job, How bout Leather?

[Keel McDonald]

Jim & Mike,

I like the idea of the leather. I would like to see pictures of anything with leather hinges on it. I have an old lether belt of my late dad's that I think would be a nice touch. I am a bit concerned about the nails holding in such old wood. Has anybody out there ever used leather hinges and have pics?

Thanks for all the replies!

[Keel McDonald]

Sorry it's taken so long to post pics of this project. I ordered some "antique" style nails. I was a bit apprehensive about whether or not they would hold in the old wood, but to my surprise, they held GREAT! :) In fact, I would probably have a difficult time backing them out. This was a very satisfying project for me. It was something created as an heirloom for my family. The most difficult part of the project was getiting the wood to a workable state (straight edges, square ends) without destroying the character of the aged wood. LOML loves it!