Journals Projects Workshops Reviews

Hinge between two flat plywood panels

630 Views 12 Replies 6 Participants Last post by John Smith_inFL, 15 d ago

Garvinworks

Howdy folks, I'm looking for a solution and it's driving me nuts because I thought for sure there's one like the one I need, but I've been searching for an hour and can't find it. What I need is a very simple design and I thought would be a common one. I looked on Amazon, hinge specialty stores, image searches for "hinge between panels" "flat panel hinge" "180 degree hinge" and so forth but no luck. All cabinet hinges assume you're mounting a door to a 90 degree surface, and flat hinges mount on top which is not an option since this is a seating surface. I included an image of what I'm trying to achieve. 90 degree hinges won't work, surface mount hinges won't work. I also can't screw into the edge of the panels since they are plywood.
Please help!
Thank you very much if you can steer me in the right direction.

See less See more

Save

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

John Smith_inFL

· #2 · 16 d ago

Garvin - how thick is the plywood? I've used a piano hinge on 1/2" plywood for hatch covers on boats.
More info about your project would help a lot.
You might be thinking of the "Soss" invisible hinge.

Save

Garvinworks

Discussion Starter · #3 · 16 d ago

John Smith_inFL said:
Garvin - how thick is the plywood? Would a piano hinge work ?

3/4" plywood. A piano hinge wouldn't work. Surface mount hinges won't work because this is a seating bench and I'm sure the client won't want the hinge to be on top and visible.

Save

John Smith_inFL

· #4 · 16 d ago

you certainly can embed a "Soss" hinge in 3/4" plywood. For extra strength, soak the cavity with epoxy or super glue before installing the hinge.

Save

KentInOttawa

· #5 · 16 d ago

Lee Valley sells these.

Save

Unknowncraftsman

· #6 · 16 d ago

What your trying to do reminds me of a rule joint used on tables. Instead of it swinging down yours swings up.
Those hinges Ken mentions about are a lot like a rule joint hinge.
Good Luck

Save

Reactions: 1

bandit571

· #7 · 16 d ago

Maybe the ones that use the kerf from a Bisquit Joiner's blade? The "leaves" of the hinge then slide into the kerf left by the blade..

Save

John Smith_inFL

· #8 · 16 d ago

Garvinworks said:
Surface mount hinges won't work because this is a seating bench and I'm sure the client won't want the hinge to be on top and visible.

This sort of limits the potential options. (it may be time to re-visit with your client to see what options he would be comfortable with).
If done correctly, the Butler Hinges will add some "elagance" to a dark finished project.
But, since you are using plywood, is it veneered? what type of finish will you use? Paint or clear coat.

See less See more

Save

Garvinworks

Discussion Starter · #9 · 15 d ago

John Smith_inFL said:
This sort of limits the potential options. (it may be time to re-visit with your client to see what options he would be comfortable with).
If done correctly, the Butler Hinges will add some "elagance" to a dark finished project.
But, since you are using plywood, is it veneered? what type of finish will you use? Paint or clear coat.
View attachment 3874966

I've considered these. It's going to be painted white; it's a built-in and they want it to match the home's paint scheme. The benches are going to have a split top because they're going to fit under some window sills and the seats will open up to allow storage inside. The seats won't be able to swing open to 90 if I hinge them at the back. It's hard to imagine that there doesn't exist a hinge that looks sort of like 2 "L" brackets back to back joined at the top. The inside of the benches will have vertical panels about every 20 inches that will support the seat, but the hinges still need to be strong to support the back edge of the seat in between the inside panels.

Save

John Smith_inFL

· #10 · 15 d ago

Do you think there will be cushions on the seat ?? (if so, what the hinges look like won't matter.
(A lot of seasoned woodworkers here don't let the client talk them into something that may not be feasible).
BUT - we certainly do the best we can within our limits to please them 100%.
Just check with them about your finds for the hinges to see how flexible they are with other options.
Keep us in the loop.

Edit: this is the type of hinge I used in making hatches in boats that had 3/4" plywood decks. It provides the most support for constant walking on the hatch cover.

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 2

Ram42

· #11 · 15 d ago

John Smith_inFL said:
Do you think there will be cushions on the seat ?? (if so, what the hinges look like won't matter.
(A lot of seasoned woodworkers here don't let the client talk them into something that may not be feasible).
BUT - we certainly do the best we can within our limits to please them 100%.
Just check with them about your finds for the hinges to see how flexible they are with other options.
Keep us in the loop.

Edit: this is the type of hinge I used in making hatches in boats that had 3/4" plywood decks. It provides the most support for constant walking on the hatch cover.
View attachment 3874986

Also called, double offset piano hinge.

Save

Reactions: 4

Garvinworks

Discussion Starter · #12 · 15 d ago

John Smith_inFL said:
Do you think there will be cushions on the seat ?? (if so, what the hinges look like won't matter.
(A lot of seasoned woodworkers here don't let the client talk them into something that may not be feasible).
BUT - we certainly do the best we can within our limits to please them 100%.
Just check with them about your finds for the hinges to see how flexible they are with other options.
Keep us in the loop.

Edit: this is the type of hinge I used in making hatches in boats that had 3/4" plywood decks. It provides the most support for constant walking on the hatch cover.
View attachment 3874986

HOLY COW!!! That's exactly what I was looking for! See, it looks like the one in my drawing, except I didn't know what they were called or if they even existed. Thank you very much sir, my search is over. You're my hero

Save

Reactions: 2

John Smith_inFL

· #13 · 15 d ago

the proper name for it is "double offset piano hinge" - they aren't cheap. I used stainless on the boats I worked on. But, in your case, you could easily use aluminum or brass.

3/4" x 3/4" x 12" Aluminum Double Offset hinge - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

I've got some vision problems and didn't see a hinge in your drawing - just two boards together. In the future, you should emphasize the item you need in large format.
You can use your resources to "shim" if the top of the hinge is not perfectly flush with the seat.

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 2

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

Top Contributors this Month