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Folks, it's been 9 or more years since I posted a lot of information on this forum about making repro period correct storage boxes, camp boxes and chests. Well, I'm very glad to say I finally have some new info to pass along on this subject and it's on period correct handles that may not be familiar to some of our members. I have to sheepishly admit I did not understand just how great this type of chest handles were/are until much more recently.
Unlike many handles, these were designed so they could only go upwards so far and thus will not pinch or even semi crush your fingers when picking up and or carrying heavier chests. I've even found and will pass along a couple sources for repro hinges that while are a bit more expensive than more common modern hardware store hinges, are much more correct for most of our time periods we recreate.
So let's begin with repro's of one of the earliest types of these hinges. The "bail/s" (period correct name as far as my research says), or what some folks today might call the bow of the handle, are held in place by a type of 1/2 of a Snipe Hinge. Since not a lot of folks may not understand what I mean by that, then please see the link below:
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...pine-carryall-boxes.97460/page-2#post-1266949
Starting at :49 on the video, she shows how the "half of a snipe hinge" on each side of the bail, is bent over inside the interior of the box. However, I am fairly certain she missed "clenching" each of the ends of the two tapered side points into the wood for each 1/2 of the snipe hinge piece. Clenching means you bend the very ends of the tapered points around 90 degrees and pound that bent portion into the wood on the inside of the box. This technique was common in the period when clenching nails on hinges, supporting straps, etc. This technique keeps nails from pulling loose and in this case would keep each 1/2 snipe hinge piece from pulling loose.
OK, here's the video on this type:
More coming in follow on posts.
Gus
Unlike many handles, these were designed so they could only go upwards so far and thus will not pinch or even semi crush your fingers when picking up and or carrying heavier chests. I've even found and will pass along a couple sources for repro hinges that while are a bit more expensive than more common modern hardware store hinges, are much more correct for most of our time periods we recreate.
So let's begin with repro's of one of the earliest types of these hinges. The "bail/s" (period correct name as far as my research says), or what some folks today might call the bow of the handle, are held in place by a type of 1/2 of a Snipe Hinge. Since not a lot of folks may not understand what I mean by that, then please see the link below:
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/...pine-carryall-boxes.97460/page-2#post-1266949
Starting at :49 on the video, she shows how the "half of a snipe hinge" on each side of the bail, is bent over inside the interior of the box. However, I am fairly certain she missed "clenching" each of the ends of the two tapered side points into the wood for each 1/2 of the snipe hinge piece. Clenching means you bend the very ends of the tapered points around 90 degrees and pound that bent portion into the wood on the inside of the box. This technique was common in the period when clenching nails on hinges, supporting straps, etc. This technique keeps nails from pulling loose and in this case would keep each 1/2 snipe hinge piece from pulling loose.
OK, here's the video on this type:
More coming in follow on posts.
Gus
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