Scissor Hinges

[ark_ader]

I cannot for the life of me determine which forum to post this question.  I mean this could be a woodworking question as it deals with my cabinet frame, or Arcade Misc as it is unusual and off the wall, or Main as it deals with metal and hard to find parts.

Anyway what I want to do is put a scissor hinge on my CP, so it can rotate and the base of the CP can be part of the exterior housing.  I was going to mount a rod at the base of the CP and make it look like a bucket, but when you play on the CP, the weight will damage or make it unstable.  I want to fold the CP into the cabinet - like you would fold up a tray on a plane.

But scissor hinges (found in kitchens, storage compartments, etc) move like a glove compartment and give it that finished look with support.

The problem is when I go to the hardware store the guys there look at me, scratch their heads and say "dunno".

Does anyone have experience with scissor hinges?

Reading that now, I think woodworking would be a safe bet, but I'll throw it out there anyways.

Thanks, and please no replies of "Dunno".......

[HaRuMaN]

Are you asking where to buy them?

Or if anyone has used them?

In either case, I 

[SavannahLion]

But scissor hinges (found in kitchens, storage compartments, etc) move like a glove compartment and give it that finished look with support.

I must drive some bottom of the line ghetto vehicles because none of my glove compartments open with a scissor hinge.

What you're describing and wanting(?) seem to be two different things. It sounds like what you're describing tend to be known as European Hinges. I doubt most people at your typical (Lowes or HD) hardware store would even know what a scissor hinge is, even if you throw one at them. They should know what a Euro style hinge is though. However, based on what you're describing here:

Anyway what I want to do is put a scissor hinge on my CP, so it can rotate and the base of the CP can be part of the exterior housing.  I was going to mount a rod at the base of the CP and make it look like a bucket, but when you play on the CP, the weight will damage or make it unstable.  I want to fold the CP into the cabinet - like you would fold up a tray on a plane.

No way a Euro hinge you would find at your typical hardware store would have that kind of strength. However, it describes a tilt-out. The only time I've ever seen that kind of hinge at HD is through custom orders. But that hinge doesn't move 270 degrees however, usually more like 45 degrees. You can almost certainly get those kinds of hinges with a wider range of motion from other sources, but I've never seen them when looking through the hardware store catalogues.

Your description of the hinge rotating doesn't make sense in my head. You mean to say you want to the hinge to move a full 270+ degrees so the top of the CP is now laying flat against the side of the cabinet? What I'm visualizing is an automotive hinge, but I'm not certain it would work or be cost effective. Those kits are awfully expensive and I don't think they would even go through the full range you're looking for.

In any case, can you draw us some pics of the motions you want your CP to go through?

[ark_ader]

Thanks for the reply.

I know the Euro hinge you are describing, as I am in the UK and I have several on my kitchen cabinets.  I want the CP to fold out of the cabinet, but I am running into a brick wall with the idea as I would need a piano hinge to do the work with some sort of drawer runner to extend out.  In short it might be just wishful thinking.

When I was working at TRW we had mouse and keyboard contraption that could fold up neatly under the desks, and I remembered them and thought of those cool James Bond Secret doors that would yield (a CP) when pushed.  I have the magnetic locks to keep the CP vertical and the space inside the cab to tilt the CP...

Since the cab is only 8 inches deep I wanted to use the innards of the cab to hide the CP. Why?  As I don't want to snag myself on the CP when I pass between the bed and the wall where this "slim" cab will be present.

Diagram: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=85290.msg894190#msg894190

I also have a problem with button access when I get the CP "rolled out" but I can put some sort of lock so it doesn't just flop out.  I wanted to control it with some linear actuators and a touch switch.  The thought of the CP retracting in game and crushing my wrists might be a future issue to avoid, so I thought some basic hinge or scissor hinge would do the trick without a trip to the hospital.

What I want can be done, I just want to buy off the shelf instead of going to a forge, and looking like a dork, trying to explain to them my design. 

[ghettodish]

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