Hinge For Salt Box

[Bruce Lundgren]

I am making a salt box for a Xmas present and need to find a source for a post-type hinge (not sure what it's called) that pivots to open. The lid pivots on one side to slide open and will have a magnet on the other side to hold it closed. Anyone know where I might find such a thing?

Thanks,
Bruce

[Steve Vaughan]

Take a look at Rockler.com. I'd bet they have exactly what you're looking for. Good luck with it!

[Eric Holmquist]

I've generally used dowels for this type of project

Kiaat Salt Vault 03.jpg

In this case, I did not use a magnet.

I like the dowel because it won't rust, but some marine grade stainless (316) would do as well
3/16" is ~$0.90/foot
1/4" is ~$1.25/foot

I order metal from either
http://www.onlinemetals.com/index.cfm
http://www.speedymetals.com/default.aspx?

[Allan Ferguson]

1/8" brass welding rod works very well. Find at auto parts, welding supply, hardware store. Cut to length.

[james bell]

I have made a few of these, using dowels and they work well. Have not tried brass rods as I have plenty of dowels on hand. The first one I made did not have magnets - mistake. I have started slicing thin pieces of the wod to cover the bottom magnet so it isn't seen.The hardest part for me is getting the magnets exactly right so the lid closes perfectly. I have tried bb's for indentation which gets it close. I haven't tried to insert a cutoff brad, maybe next time.

[David E Keller]

I've used short segments of 3/16 cold rolled steel for the pivot points. I glue them in on one side and leave them to pivot on the other.

[Bernie Weishapl]

I get/use brass rod from the lumber yard.

[Bruce Lundgren]

Steve: I'll check-out Rockler. Thanks for the suggestion.

Eric, Allan, David, and Bernie: Good suggestions for brass rod, stainless, cold rolled steel and dowels. All good ideas...and the price is right. Thanks guys for your input. Much appreciated.

Jim: I was thinking that lining-up the lid properly would be the tricky part. A cut off brad is a good idea as is covering the bottom magnet with a thin slice of wood. Thanks.

Bruce

[Jim Burr]

C-clip, also called a torsion pin is the best...it expands and contracts with the wood. I've used it in 60 or so salt boxes and haven't had a complaint. I did a tutorial on a nother forum that addreses the alignment issue.

[Ted Calver]

I did a tutorial on a nother forum that addreses the alignment issue.

Jim, Can you share your tutorial with us?

[Jim Burr]

Jim, Can you share your tutorial with us?

I'll see if I still have it on a flash drive and will pass it on if cyberspace hasn't transported it to the starship Enterprise

[Bruce Lundgren]

Thanks for the suggestion about the C-clip. Where did you get them? I too would be interested in seeing the alignment tutorial if you still have it. Thanks.

[Greg Bolton22]

+1 on wanting to seeing the tutorial!

Thanks,

Greg

[Nate Davey]

+2 on the tutorial.

[Jim Burr]

PM'd link to all who asked...let me know if you have any questions and I'll try to answer as best I can!