Drop-front/Fall-front hinge help

[Patrick Whitehorn]

My mother has a drop/fall-front/lid secretary desk that she has asked me to fix for her. My first thought was to install some butt hinges (H-71 from Horton Brasses) to support the writing surface, but upon further investigation, the front surface has an overhang that makes the hinges impossible to use without cutting down the lid. The writing surface was originally hinged using two long wood screws through the desk sides and into the writing surface's endgrain; the holes have wallowed out over time. How would you go about fixing this?

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[Pete Taran]

If it were me, I'd carefully align both pieces so the holes are matching and clamp in place. Then I would take a drill, 3/8 would be probably the right size for 3/4" stock and drill both pieces at the same time so the holes perfectly line up.

Then I'd turn down some brass on a lathe to fit in the holes, you'd need 4 pieces. I'd bore out the center to match a framing nail that is a snug fit and epoxy the pieces into the holes to act as a bushing for the pin. You will likely need to drill and thread the outer of the two bushings with a set screw to hold the pin before you epoxy the whole assembly in place. Should last for the ages. If you don't have a metal lathe or know someone who does, you might need to find someone to help you with that.

[Gary Ragatz]

Something like this might work, but I think you'd need to loosen one of the sides to install them:

https://www.rockler.com/roto-hinges-choose-size?sid=V9146?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_content=pla&utm_campaign=PL&gclid=Cj0KCQjwj9LkBRDnARIsAGQ-hUfLrmdXcVt73rAFeZDRerrszDB0jtHtA2BnWYmQd5wjBxQHkR o3irQaArJLEALw_wcB

Alternatively, maybe a steel dowel pin of an appropriate diameter and length - you could add a wooden plug to the side of the desk to cover:

https://www.mcmaster.com/dowel-pins

[Patrick Whitehorn]

Pete, I don't have a lathe, but I did think of something along the same lines, perhaps using something like these: https://m.grainger.com/mobile/product/BUNTING-BEARINGS-Powdered-Metal-Bronze-Sleeve-12D873?breadcrumbCatId=5207. I could drill out the desk's vertical members and semi-press them in (like a very slight interference fit). Then I thought that perhaps a threaded insert would work on the writing surface's edge - a longer brass screw through the bushing and into the insert from each side, with a drop of thread locker and it might be good to go ...

[Patrick Whitehorn]

Gary, those are really neat, but I agree - you would have to pull the carcass apart to get them in. That said, the threaded posts from McMaster might work in the insert I mentioned above. Thanks!

[Patrick Whitehorn]

What does everyone think of using a knife-hinge (like the ST-80 from Brusso)? I could mortise them into the carcass sides and the writing surface's edges. (They are meant for vertical use; I don't know how they would hold up to horizontal use.)

[Gary Ragatz]

What does everyone think of using a knife-hinge (like the ST-80 from Brusso)? I could mortise them into the carcass sides and the writing surface's edges. (They are meant for vertical use; I don't know how they would hold up to horizontal use.)

Patrick,

This looks to me like it would work for you. The hinges would be visible when the desk is open, but it's an attractive piece of hardware, so I don't think that would be a problem. I couldn't tell from the information on Brusso's web site whether there is a limit on how far the hinge will open that could be an issue - I'm guessing that you need something that will open to 110* or so.

Something else you might consider, particularly if you would like to keep the repair true to the original design. You could drill out both the side of the desk and the drop-down, where it's been wallowed out, and glue in hardwood dowels. Then drill to accommodate smooth steel dowel pins like they have on the McMaster site and fill with a wooden plug on the side of the desk. (Hope that description made sense.)

[Patrick Whitehorn]

Long-time - no update, huh?

Well, I did get the desk repaired and I did it by using the 1/2-threaded stud, threaded inserts, and the bronze bushings. Pictures attached!

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Clamped, before boring.
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Bored, with a second bore, for the shoulder of the bushing.
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Bushing pressed in.
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From the outside.
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Threaded insert in the writing surface edge.
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With the stud and an HDPE washer installed.
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Fixed!

[Gary Ragatz]

Patrick,

Thanks for the update. Turned out great - nice work! Bet your Mom is happy to have her desk back.

Gary

[Jim Koepke]

Good job.

jtk