Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Nation on March 04, 2010, 11:18:08 pm
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I am finally in the finishing stages of my (first :) build. One of the last things I need to do is mount the front door on my cab. I have used 3/4" MDF for this door and it has an over-under coin door in it. The problem is this door is quite heavy alone, not to mention with the coin door + a decent amount of coins in it. I am guessing it is around 50lbs fully loaded. I bought some continuous (piano) hinges which I was planning to use but I am almost certain they will not hold the weight. One problem is that I routed a slot for t-molding all the way down both sides of my cab so the screws would be going through this slot which degrades their holding strength. Even without the slot issue I don't think the hinge would hold, especially with the door swung open fully. I used the same type hinge on the door to the back of my cab which is much much lighter than this front door and it is already sagging a little.
I have searched for answers unsuccessfully. Are there hinges which will hold this weight? I have seen mention of "European-style" hinges (I think) which have the added benefit of being completely hidden from view from the outside. Can I use enough of these to hold the weight? Anybody have this same problem? Thanks for any help!
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Hmmmmm....what bout using regular door hinges? 3 perhaps?...maybe use carriage bolts? :dunno
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Piano hinges can be pretty stout. And since they're screwed down continuously along their length, it's much less likely that they'll pull out.
I don't think those euro hidden hinges will be much stronger. They're generally for cabinet doors alone.
You might consider some old school icebox hinges. They're exposed, so that might not work for your cab style, but, they'd surely be strong enough
http://www.hardwaresource.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=727 (http://www.hardwaresource.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=727)
These might work too. they have various sizes.
http://www.thehardwarehut.com/catalog-product.php?p_ref=5073 (http://www.thehardwarehut.com/catalog-product.php?p_ref=5073)
And finally ,this one, 88lbs per pair
http://www.homeclick.com/web/catalog/product_detail.aspx?pid=332314&chnl=cse&ven=googlebase&cat=Hardware%3ACabinet%20Hardware&brnd=Sugatsune&itm=332314I-90 (http://www.homeclick.com/web/catalog/product_detail.aspx?pid=332314&chnl=cse&ven=googlebase&cat=Hardware%3ACabinet%20Hardware&brnd=Sugatsune&itm=332314I-90)|Sugatsune%20I-90%20I-90%20%28For%20Heavy%20Duty%29%20180%20Degree%20Opening&CAWELAID=466252691
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If you have that much weight with your door assembly, I recommend having a clasp of some kind on the opposite side to add support when it's closed. If you don't, you might have some creep issues.
Good luck!