Eric. Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 Does anyone know where I can find high-quality, machined, solid brass piano hinges? I searched high and low but the best I could find were the pressed ones from Lee Valley. I'm about to install them but it feels all dirty because they're not awesome. They're far from awesome. I'm sure machined ones would be super expensive - if they even exist - but I would happily pay whatever they cost if someone knows of a source. Shot in the dark... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 Does anyone know where I can find high-quality, machined, solid brass piano hinges? I searched high and low but the best I could find were the pressed ones from Lee Valley. I'm about to install them but it feels all dirty because they're not awesome. They're far from awesome. I'm sure machined ones would be super expensive - if they even exist - but I would happily pay whatever they cost if someone knows of a source. Shot in the dark... Drop Steve a PM, he's got sources for some reason that beats the pee out of what we normally have! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted July 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 Thanks Rich...I'm not gonna bother though. I'll just assume because I didn't get any quick responses and I couldn't find any with a thorough interwebs search that they don't exist anymore if they ever did. I'm sure a good machinist could do it but I don't have the time - or THAT much interest - to have them custom made. I've already hacked my hinges down to length so no going back now. Whatever. Life ain't perfect. Honestly the thing that bothers me most about these is that the holes aren't counter-bored. I mean what's the deal with that? Stupid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 Eric, you should get a set of titanium countersink bits and do it yourself. I have 3 sizes from Bosch, this is one of them. I've countersunk all sorts of materials with them, including wood, aluminium and steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted July 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 I have a bunch of countersinks. But I'm saying screw it. Literally. It's for a tool cabinet so it's not the end of the world...just being anal and whiny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 Maybe that metal is so flimsy that won't take a countersink. This ones look good, countersunk, solid brass or nickel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted July 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 Yeah, those sound better anyway...picture is worthless. But countersunk and satin sound like what I was looking for. Like I said, too late...thanks though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted July 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 On second thought...these things are garbage. I can't live with them. But that place wants THIRTY dollars to ship one hinge. Outrageous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyrolan Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 But countersunk and satin sound like what I was looking for. Like I said, too late...thanks though. On second thought...these things are garbage. I can't live with them. This has to have been the most entertaining 29-minute shop video we'll never get to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted July 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 I installed them and they're shiny and ugly. Cheap and flimsy. The doors on this cabinet will have to hold a considerable amount of weight and I'm not sure they're up to the job. I'm gonna have to find some real hinges. I've found some solid brass milled blanks (no holes) on ebay for a reasonable price. I'll probably go that route. Shame on Lee Valley for even selling this junk. I'd hate to see what the cheap ones they sell look like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 Try McMaster Carr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted July 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 They have them, but only polished brass and the price is even higher than the place Daniel linked. I wonder what stainless steel would look like against walnut? Not as nice as brass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxdabroxx Posted July 23, 2015 Report Share Posted July 23, 2015 Just sand the brass with sandpaper or wire wheel them to get them flat. So long as they aren't plated it should work just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 Stainless would look good and never tarnish ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 Eric, I found a place today at the office that had solid brass as well as aluminum, steel and ss. I was going to post it but you waved us off. I just looked and don't see the site but it's still on my computer screen at work. I will send it to you in the morning. If I forget, send me a pm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 I used stainless on mine and it looks good. I'm not so sure that piano hinges can be machined from a solid billet due to the length - try drilling a hole all the way through something 8 feet long! Every piano hinge I've seen has been punched out of flat stock then the hinge formed by folding over into a circle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted July 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 Stainless would look good and never tarnish ! Well you convinced me to give it a shot. I ordered unfinished stainless .060 thick. Hope they look okay. I'm assuming they'll add a bit of a contemporary look, which I'm usually okay with...but I'm a big fan of brass on walnut...high quality brass anyway. Gamble taken. Outcome TBD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 Now's time to get the stainless steel screws and screwdriver bits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted July 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 I ordered the screws with the hinges. Bits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 Yep. It's highly advisable to drive stainless screws with stainless bits, to avoid sticking ferrous residue to the screw head (will look ugly after a while). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted July 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 LOL I think I'll take my chances. I drive screws into furniture by hand anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 OK, but you will remember what I said in 15 years or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted July 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 In 15 years this cabinet will be beat to death and covered in an inch of dust and filth and you probably won't even be able to see the slots in the heads of the screws...if it's used as much as a tool cabinet should be used in a shop that's used as much as a shop should be used. I'll remember your advice for future projects. Although I can't think of a single piece of furniture I've built that has visible screws, sans hinges...all brass thus far. But thanks for the tip...never heard that before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 The advice came from the guy who installed some stainless steel hooks in my kitchen. Maybe he was just showing off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilgaron Posted July 24, 2015 Report Share Posted July 24, 2015 That sounds right, although if the stainless screws had finish on the head it probably wouldn't matter. I've been reading about smithing and apparently if you work with stainless and want it to stay stainless you have to be careful about contaminating it with non-stainless steel/iron during your working process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.