Piano Hinge What other option?

[jason lambert]

I am making a unit to store shoes when you walk in our house it will have a bench top and 2 drop down under to put the shoes into. I was unable to find useful plans on line, anyhow I am not a pro at designing stuff I am a more figure it out as you go person.

I need a way for the doors to drop down and open. I never liked piano hinges since you can see them is there any other option that is more elegant? Also If I can get rid of the chain to support the door and a cheep magnet that would also be nice.

Thanks.

[Jamie Buxton]

Check out Soss hinges. http://www.soss.com/ You can buy them from most woodworking catalogs.

Why do you need a chain? The doors are below the seat, right? And the hinges are at the bottom, right? So when the door is opened, the non-hinge edge just rests on the floor, no?

As for the magnets, yes, you're probably going to have to have some sort of latch. Magnets work pretty well. Lee Valley sells ones which maybe aren't quite as ugly as the usual kind --- http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=42348&cat=3,42363

[jason lambert]

Actually it is going to be 2 small doors one on the bottom and another on top. So I need someting to hold the top doorfrom just falling.

But the hindge looks like what I was looking for, and I can use my Domino for the mortise (i think). Thanks.

[Grant Wilkinson]

Jason

Lee Valley has barrel hinges, too. They are invisible and you only need a forstner bit to install them.

[Mack Cameron]

Jason

[quoteLee Valley has barrel hinges, too. They are invisible and you only need a forstner bit to install them. the barrel hinges come in metric sizes, don't forget to buy the appropriate metric bit, if you don't already have it.