[jerbone]

First off Happy Memorial Day and a special thanks to all the boards Veterans.

I have been wokring hard on this jewelry box for a lil sister in law and I am at my witts end. The last thing that needs to be done on this jewerly box is installing the hinges.

The leaf for the bottom mortise has been routed out and is level. However The box binds when closing. If you guys wouldn't mind please have a look and give me some thoughts on why the hinges are binding. Would it help if I mortise a spot for the top leaf?

Thanks in Advance,

JJ

 

[jerbone]

Looks like I am having troubles with attaching photos as well today

 

[cabinetman]

The leaf you mortised is way too deep. Mortise depth should be only deep enough so the leaf finishes flat to the surface. The screws should be installed so their heads are flat (or slightly recessed) from the leaf surface, not cocked or proud.

.

 

[CNYWOODS]

I agree. The mortise is too deep. A simple test would be to put some small washer on the back sides of the hinges to bring it flush. See it that helps. If so glue in a thin shim.

 

[bigcouger]

The leaf you mortised is way too deep. Mortise depth should be only deep enough so the leaf finishes flat to the surface. The screws should be installed so their heads are flat (or slightly recessed) from the leaf surface, not cocked or proud.

.

+1 you are going to have to build it up some

 

[Quickstep]

Beautiful piece. The contrasting woods really complement one another.

Looks like you made the mortise in the bottom part of the box deep enough to accommodate both leaves and surface mounted the hinge leaf that's on the lid. My guess is that as the lid closes, any misalignment in the hinge causes the leaf that's attached to the lid to not comfortably recess into the double deep mortise in the base. The usual way to avoid this is to mortise both leaves so the the surface of the leaf is just flush with the surrounding wood.

 

[cabinetman]

First off Happy Memorial Day...

No offense intended, but IMO there's nothing "happy" about it.

.

 

[mengtian]

no offense intended, but imo there's nothing "happy" about it.

.

^^^^^^^^^
+100

 

[jerbone]

No offense intended, but IMO there's nothing "happy" about it.

.

I can appreciate that completely, poor choice of words. If you picked the mortise is too deep you are todays winner. Thsnkas for the help.

 

[davehafelein]

I agree. The mortise is too deep. A simple test would be to put some small washer on the back sides of the hinges to bring it flush. See it that helps. If so glue in a thin shim.

I've had a similar problem. I used a deck of playing cards to make shims. Two shims were enough for my problem.

 

[RogerInColorado]

My depth perception may be off, but it looks to me that rather than add a quarter inch worth of shims, you would be better off to cut a thick piece that fills the void, glue it in and then redo the mortise. By the time you simply add a bunch of shims you may not have much good material for the screws to hold.

 

[vmihardwarelinks]

A poorly fit hinge looks bad and can affect how well a door or lid opens and closes. Mortising flat hinges into cabinet doors not only gives your projects a more finished look, the hinges are stronger.