Art Box Taken To The Next Level
A lot of woodworkers love making boxes. Yet there is a difference between this and box art. To know all the differences holding this art in your hands would tell it all. I came to the conclusion in order for a box to be called art it needed more. The wood hinge was necessary, not an option.
Wood hinges will set off any work. Other than being unbelievably cool to make, when used it takes the appeal to the next level. When compared to metal hinges there are so many advantages. Metal hinges tend to wear in ways that cause weakening of the material. Also most hinges are of lesser quality. Search Etsy or Google and you will find a sea of them out there.
This grade of hinge will not last. The very way it fastens to the wood will begin to wear causing it to come off. Yes there are some brands which are of very high quality. Yet with these you can often pay near 30 plus dollars just for two hinges. Still with these while you gain quality you do not have the appeal.
The box must have character and beauty. I was determined to go beyond just an art design or carving. While there are many other elements involved in achieving this the hinge was the last part to bring it all together.
Wood Hinge Beginnings
My first attempts at making these hinges were challenging. Let’s just say the whole process is really an art of its own. A few companies make jigs that help with certain aspects of hinge making. Some are useful others are not.
After my first few attempts and putting them together I evolved the process. It needed to be refined so that the hinges would move freely where desired but not become an obstacle to itself or the box. Where parts meet become important. Furthermore when in use if not done properly it can force itself away from the box breaking.
Wood and design became an important combination to get right. Yes there were many broken parts. With persistence I mastered it. The wood hinge became a beautiful addition to my art boxes. There are still occasions when I will use a metal hinge. There are a few designs that I use them consistently with for the box itself to be more affordable.
How Durable Are They Really?
In terms of durability a single hinge barrel is not enough on its own. Yet the hinge I make is typically comprised of a total of four barrels. When they are interlocked it is incredibly strong. Where metal hinges will bend and flex distorting the placement of the lid a wood hinge will not do this.
If a box is dropped to the floor with a metal hinge attached the distortion can be so sever that it cannot be properly recovered. Depending on where the impact is on the box the metal hinge itself can break away. My curiosity led me to test wood hinges to see how they would hold up.
Certainly anything can be broken with enough force. Yet with a casual drop I have never had a hinge break free or snap. What is interesting is that when the hinges are locked in together in order to break it I needed to use a hammer. Considerable force was needed hitting the hinge to bust the barrels.
What Wood Is Best?
A wood with a higher density is best to use for the process. Walnut is great for durability and beauty but is on the lower side of the density scale. In terms of density Walnut would be in the middle of the scale yet a good choice. Hickory would be another great alternative as well as Hard Maple but avoid Soft maple. My preference in Walnut is meeting durability with beauty for contrast in colors.
By contrast wood such as cedar is not a good option. This may surprise some people. Yet the fibers of cedar are not consistent throughout the wood grain. Hickory, Oak, Walnut, Birch and Ash are perfectly fine without needing to get into more exotic species of higher density.
It Is Worth The Trouble
If you are a woodworker considering the option of using wood hinges I say go for them. It is definitely worth the trouble. Maybe it would not be used on everything you make. Nevertheless it is something you would love once you successfully use them once.
Nothing is better than the final work having all wood parts with no metal showing. As for the closure you can use magnets unless you need a physical way to secure the box.