Question for wood workers/furniture makers

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

We have a blanket chest that we've had as long as we've been married and it's showing some signs of needing help.
One of the devices, sorry I don't know what you call it, that holds the lid open is causing the nearest hinge mounting screws to be pulled out.
My question is, how do you determine the correct placement of said device so this doesn't happen?
It appears to me that the device is pushing the lid away from the back hinge line when in the closed position.

MBAtarga · 02-10-2018, 04:12 PM

Scott - that is a lid support spring hinge - designed to prevent the lid from falling down and hitting a toddler/young child's head should they open the chest. It's got an internal spring that applies pressure against the lid when it is being opened, but should be fully released in the closed position. That fact that there is pressure causing the hinges to be stressed points to an issue. I've never used one, but the installation location would be crucial to its operation. Has it always been installed in the chest?

herr_oberst · 02-10-2018, 04:19 PM

Don't know if this will help, but from woodcrafters...

http://www2.woodcraft.com/PDF/77A13.pdf

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

Thanks!
Mark, yes, it has always been on the chest. There's another one on the other side also, but it's not causing the hinge screws to pull out.
herr_oberst - thank you for that pdf. That will help a lot.

I think the cure will be removing it completely and moving it over (inboard) some and double checking the installation distances.
Thanks again, I appreciate the help.

bkreigsr · 02-11-2018, 04:31 AM

Scott - best thing since sliced bread.
I just completed a student desk and seat for my granddaughter and use three torsion hinges for the top of the desk, and two fro the padded bench seat.

Rockler - Search Results for torsion hinges

Bill K

ossiblue · 02-12-2018, 07:15 AM

Hi Scott,

My guess is that the spring lid support is correctly placed but, over the years, the hinge screws have worked loose and the constant upward pressure of the support is causing the gap between the lid and the top of the chest, as seen in your picture. Before moving the support, you might try removing the support and hinge screws. Use a thin piece of wood with glue and stick it in the screw hole for the hinge, then reattach the hinge. You could also use a larger screw, but it may not fit the hole of the hinge. This way, you can keep the chest as it originally was without moving the position of the lid support.

look 171 · 02-12-2018, 10:39 AM

Take off the spring hinge and see if it binds up. I suspect its the spring lid support

Scott Douglas · Scott Douglas's Garage

I figured out the problem.
The one hinge support was located wrong.

The mount on one was off by 0.20" relative to the back side of the chest causing the support to push even when in the closed position.
I removed it and relocated it as well as putting larger screws in the hinge itself. All is good for another 20 yrs or so.
Thanks for the help guys.

With the latest forum problems it brings a new appreciation for what a resource we have here. Thanks Wayne, this 'playground' is more than appreciated by this user.