Hinge advice

[Pookie123]

Hi all, Im building a little hideaway desk in my media unit. I’ve got to the stage now where i don’t have a clue what hinges to get.

I want it to look like this when finished (obviously painted)



Then when I’m ready to work it will fold out like this..



I added the below piece which when the desk goes up it butts up to the bottom piece and which I thought would help attaching a hinge.



I don’t have or have anyone to borrow one of those cabinet hinge jig so I’m looking at the easiest solution.

I’ve tried this….



However the desk sits higher when it’s closed.

My brain is completely fried in what I have to do. Any advice is greatly appreciated. It’s 18mm MDF if that helps.

Thanks again.

[MDT]

you are going to need (as far as I am aware) a cupboard hinge as otherwise it will be either leaving a gap under the folded out section when in desk mode. And can't be flush when closed.

on the plus side should look need and smart once painted and finished.

[Metric Max]

I think maybe a piano hinge is the answer

[Little Lofty]

Metric Max said:

I think maybe a piano hinge is the answer

My first thought too.

[Pookie123]

Metric Max said:

I think maybe a piano hinge is the answer

If I were to use that and have the hinges inside. When the door is pulled up, the base of the door will be the same height as the other piece I cut. So it will be too high. Unless again I’m losing the plot.

[Panamax]

I wouldn't use hinges at all. You could secure the "desk" in the vertical position with 4x magnetic catches. It will need one small handle/knob each side, left and right, to enable removal.

If you then put two strips of 15mm x 15 mm (or similar) fitted horizontally to the sides of the cabinet and near the bottom you'll be able to slide the "desk" under them until it touches the back. Should provide a good, solid installation with minimal faffing.

[Simpo Two]

Pookie123 said:

Metric Max said:

I think maybe a piano hinge is the answer

If I were to use that and have the hinges inside. When the door is pulled up, the base of the door will be the same height as the other piece I cut. So it will be too high. Unless again I m losing the plot.

You could just put two butt hinges on the top, over the join. They'll be visible when it's lowered, but it's very easy to do.

Or as MM says, a piano hinge which is just a long thin butt hinge.

[Aerate]

Kitchen cabinet hinge is the correct answer. You can get plastic jigs including the bit for buttons from eBay. I’ve been using one of the cheapies for years and I do it for a living. You are correct, any kind of butt hinge including piano will result in an 18mm gap when the flap is closed

https://ebay.us/m/rNjJz6

[JoshSm]

If you want it to overlap that bottom bit when shut you probably want some type of overlay cupboard door hinge?

Likely similar to this https://www.sdslondon.co.uk/overlay-hinge-for-1920... not a Blum kitchen one.

[smokey mow]

Pookie123 said:

I ve tried this .



However the desk sits higher when it s closed.

Those would be the correct hinge.

I’ve the same fitted to one of my kitchen units and they work exactly as you want them to.

[wolfracesonic]

I don’t see why piano hinge wouldn’t work, one leaf screwed into the bottom edge of the door, the other into the top of the desk(not the temporary piece in the pic). There would be a gap to the latter when the door is dropped down and you would see the knuckle of the hinge when it’s closed, but it would look less ‘Howdens kitchen’ when open.

[caminator11]

Use well lit profile pictures and just try to be yourself

[Pookie123]

Thanks all for the replies. I will give piano hinges a go but I don’t think they will work as it will raise the cover 18mm high.

The other thought I had today was possibly gas struts?

[Pookie123]

smokey mow said:

Pookie123 said:

I ve tried this .



However the desk sits higher when it s closed.

I tried fitting mine again today but the door sits 18mm too high when put back up.

Those would be the correct hinge.

I ve the same fitted to one of my kitchen units and they work exactly as you want them to.

[ferret50]

There is no way that you can hinge that flap without leaving a gap at the bottom.