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About a month ago I posted a query about installing quadrant hinges. I now realize I had posted an almost identical query last year!
Well, I think I licked the problem. The main trick was to make a multiple-part assembly. I'm using a router with 1/2" collet and 5/16" straight bit. The widths of the three center parts are calculated using the length of the hinge arms, plus the difference between the bit and collet. There is also going to be an arm centered underneath the center part (see below) so that has to be added in there, too.
I used a brass setup bar to get the desired 1/2" gap for the collet. The playing card adds a little "english" to accomodate the fact that the hinge is ever-so-slightly wider than 5/16". The stack of bars locates the center piece the right distance for the back arm. Here's the assembly in glue-up.
Here's the top top panel of the "prototype" (meaning that my quadruple-checked measurements were wrong
). Note that the end panel is slightly shorter than the sum of the widths of the other panels. This facilitates squaring up the assembly once complete.
Here's the final product. I centered a dado in the center panel into which an piece of 3/4" stock is glued. The top and bottom of the box are clamped to this arm when the template is in use. Also notice that there is a piece of stock on the far side which keeps the top and bottom aligned. After cutting one mortise, the template is reversed for mortising the other side of the box.
The best part - it works!
JR
Well, I think I licked the problem. The main trick was to make a multiple-part assembly. I'm using a router with 1/2" collet and 5/16" straight bit. The widths of the three center parts are calculated using the length of the hinge arms, plus the difference between the bit and collet. There is also going to be an arm centered underneath the center part (see below) so that has to be added in there, too.
I used a brass setup bar to get the desired 1/2" gap for the collet. The playing card adds a little "english" to accomodate the fact that the hinge is ever-so-slightly wider than 5/16". The stack of bars locates the center piece the right distance for the back arm. Here's the assembly in glue-up.
Here's the top top panel of the "prototype" (meaning that my quadruple-checked measurements were wrong
). Note that the end panel is slightly shorter than the sum of the widths of the other panels. This facilitates squaring up the assembly once complete.Here's the final product. I centered a dado in the center panel into which an piece of 3/4" stock is glued. The top and bottom of the box are clamped to this arm when the template is in use. Also notice that there is a piece of stock on the far side which keeps the top and bottom aligned. After cutting one mortise, the template is reversed for mortising the other side of the box.
The best part - it works!
JR
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