Piano hinge questions

[NetDoc]

OK, so I am almost done with my '68 Fibra. I only have three things left on my punch list:

Windshield
Boat markings
Install baffles.

Well, I have almost all the baffles in but the actual battery doors. They seemed to have been piano hinged in with some kind of latch mechanism. I have been to West Marine, and they sell a hinge that is far too long. Obviously, I cut it: but how? Hack saw, grinder or what? I am almost done, so look forward to hearing from you about this.

 

[sasto]

Re: Piano hinge questions

Hacksaw works fine on stainless. Just file down the rough edge.

Good Luck!

 

[Peteco]

Re: Piano hinge questions

As thin as they are, I use a thin cutoff wheel on an angle grinder. A recip saw will tear it up as will a chop saw in most cases.

Take out the hinge pin first. You will usually want to use a hinge pin that's a bit longer than the hinge, so you can mushroom the head or bend it over. If the hinge pin is trapped on each side (and you can probably devise several mechanisms to deal with this) then no need to make it longer.

 

[sasto]

Re: Piano hinge questions

As thin as they are, I use a thin cutoff wheel on an angle grinder. A recip saw will tear it up as will a chop saw in most cases.

Take out the hinge pin first. You will usually want to use a hinge pin that's a bit longer than the hinge, so you can mushroom the head or bend it over. If the hinge pin is trapped on each side (and you can probably devise several mechanisms to deal with this) then no need to make it longer.

I differ with you on this one. I've cut hundreds with a chop saw (carbide blade) or a simple hacksaw. I have never removed the pin from one, maybe this is new to me. I've never seen the hinge pin removable from a piano hinge.

 

[BWT]

Re: Piano hinge questions

I I have never removed the pin from one, maybe this is new to me. I've never seen the hinge pin removable from a piano hinge.

For what it's worth, I've always used a hack saw and it works just fine. Cut on a joint and file down; you'll be good to go. Never tried to remove the pin, honestly don't know that I could if I tried. Maybe on a heavier style hinge you could do this, but most "stock" hinges I've worked with never had an issue.

Good luck!

~BWT

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Piano hinge questions

I wouldn't remove the pin as it might be punched and fixed in the hinge, the last couple of piano hinges I worked with were like this. I cut it with a jig saw, then cleaned up the cut with a vertical belt sander and small file.

 

[NetDoc]

Re: Piano hinge questions

Kewl! I'll try to tune the Piano Hinge today then.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Piano hinge questions

Nothing to it ..

I used my Porta band and sliced through one last week .. then took it over to the belt sander and had a nice radius on it.

Total time for cuttin and sanding/debur was about 57 seconds.
Total time for gettin the tool out,hooking it up,putting it back after a blow off .. 128 seconds.

Using a hacksaw would be 60 seconds .. debur/shape with a file about 60 seconds.

Hack saw wins everytime .. but Im a close few seconds and I didnt have to work up a sweat .

YD.

 

[NetDoc]

Re: Piano hinge questions

I was in Lowe's today looking for a few things. I had to ask if they had SS Piano Hinges as I simply hate paying several times the normal price at West Marine. Not only did they have SS piano hinges, but they had them in a 12" size. WOW! I bought them and the holes in the new hinges matched up with the holes already drilled in the doors and frame. WOW X10!!! I haven't found the latches that I want, but the hinges are DONE!!! Yay!

 

[NetDoc]

Re: Piano hinge questions

View from the front

Close up of starboard battery hatch​

Yes, the boat needs cleaning again as well as a harmonic balancer and I haven't gotten her on the water yet.