First hidden hinge patch box, Finished photos added.

[J. Talbert]

So this is my first hidden hinge patch box, I’m wondering if anyone has any words of wisdom about the hinge mechanism, or warnings of pitfalls to watch out for?




Thanks
Jeff

[Tim Crosby]

 Have you got a Pic of the underside?

   Thanks, Tim C.

[rich pierce]

Have you got a Pic of the underside?

   Thanks, Tim C.

What Tim said. I’m not seeing signs of tabs to capture the axle/pin on the underside of the surround.

[J. Talbert]

The tabs for the underside are not yet made.

[Joey R]

Stay tuned!

[P.Bigham]

 I believe your placement of the lid hinge is to far forward. I could be wrong only did 2. Here's mine marked outside  of patchbox for pin connecting the 2 together.

[RAT]

A few years ago David Rase posted photos of one he made. I did a search, but couldn't find it. He posted "work in progress" photos of the patchbox. Contact him... maybe he can send you some photos and tips.

[J. Talbert]

I believe your placement of the lid hinge is to far forward. I could be wrong only did 2. Here's mine marked outside  of patchbox for pin connecting the 2 together.

I hear what you’re saying but I feel like my placement will just mean that I will need to remove more wood in front of the lid.  Am I wrong?

Jeff

[P.Bigham]

Iam no expert. Just showing what worked for me. Let us know. Thanks

[Mike Lyons]

If it’s attached to the end of your door,  it’s going to bind on your finial unless you leave a big gap.  Frankly,  I think the hinge will go underneath your finial and it will bind even with a hideous gap.  If you back up your hinge like Brigham does,  the door will drop and you’ll have a lot less gap and a whole lot less work than trying to make yours work by digging out a bunch of wood and fiddling with the file.  I feel your pain, I spent the last few days making three different nose caps before I made one I liked. With the door being square and simple to remake,  I would redo it. 

[sqrldog]

Search "captured lid hidden hinge patchbox" for Rase's post on how he did his box.

[Curtis]

Search "captured lid hidden hinge patchbox" for Rase's post on how he did his box.

Here is the link: https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=37036.msg355401#msg355401

Curtis

[J. Talbert]

Thanks for all the responses.  I had already found David’s tutorial, but even before that you all convinced me that I need to revise my hinge.  As is, I agree that the lid will hang on the front edge against the PB surround.
Perhaps a 45 degree bevel on those two surfaces could make it work, but I don’t have enough material remaining on the current lid for that, and moving the hinge rearward a tad will definitely alleviate the problem.

Thanks,
Jeff

[rich pierce]

Looking at Dave Rase’s fine tutorial on this sort of patchbox, I’m trying to understand the spring that presses on the lid in front of the axle. I’m thinking it works to keep the lid closed?  I may have it backwards and it pops the lid up when released.

[RAT]

The "C" shaped spring at the front pushes the lid open. The depth of the "C" shape is needed to allow clearance for the forward part of the lid to swing down when the lid opens. It presses on the underside of the lid to the rear of the hinge. "Rear" meaning towards the buttplate... not towards the finial.

[rich pierce]

Thanks Bob!  Makes sense now.

[flinchrocket]

You can see the silver pins that attached the hinge to the lid. Even that short distance from the front requires a small angle on the front of the lid and surround so when you raise the back of the lid the front sort of drops away without binding, if that makes any sense.

[J. Talbert]

You can see the silver pins that attached the hinge to the lid. Even that short distance from the front requires a small angle on the front of the lid and surround so when you raise the back of the lid the front sort of drops away without binding, if that makes any sense.

Do you have any pictures of the inside?  I ask because it appears from this picture that your pivot is nearly as far forward as mine currently.

Thanks
Jeff

[flinchrocket]

Sorry, I don’t.

[J. Talbert]

Thanks just the same.
Jeff

[flinchrocket]

I will say that my hinge looks like yours but I believe my side’s might be shorter. I had just enough room to push the pin through all hinge pieces. I made this rifle for a man in Boston and it’s long gone or I would be glad to get a picture.

[J. Talbert]

Thanks for all the responses.  I had already found David’s tutorial, but even before that you all convinced me that I need to revise my hinge.  As is, I agree that the lid will hang on the front edge against the PB surround.
Perhaps a 45 degree bevel on those two surfaces could make it work, but I don’t have enough material remaining on the current lid for that, and moving the hinge rearward a tad will definitely alleviate the problem.

Thanks,
Jeff

So I went ahead and moved the hinge pivot further from the end and here’s the result.
Still believe that the forward position could be made to work with appropriate bevels on the mating surfaces, but not interested in experimenting to find out.







Jeff
Well not completely finished still needs engraving.
Note: I inherited the BP gaps from the original builder, this is a long term completion project.

[flinchrocket]

You get all finished up and it will look great. Good job. 

[Stoner creek]

Oh my! You keep making me look like a chump!
Keep it up!!

[Mike Lyons]

That looks good.