Decent hinge supplier

[a twig]

So, I've made some nice oak internal doors, replicating the original designs which had been removed and replaced with hardboard boxy rubbish.

I went to fit the first at the weekend, got it all trimmed up, then went to hang it. I bought some "gate" style hinges as the doors are pretty heavy, but every supplier I've found has been rubbish, the hinges from them have a lot of vertical play which gives me very little faith in the hinges not dropping and makes it bloody hard to hang the door properly.

So any recommendations for a hinge supplier that are actually made to a half decent tolerance?

 

[88v8]

Wot, like these?
http://www.thedoorknockercompany.co.uk/acatalog/hinges_and_nails.html

Had some 9" hinges from them for a cupboard door, they're OK. But then, they don't get the wear that might accrue to a door in more regular use. And the problem with face-fit hinges, there's no way to adjust in future. One can't sink them in a little more.
Many of these iron hinges only have a three-part knuckle so there is only one vertical wearing face. For a heavy door you might do better with these, they have a five-part knuckle which should be more durable.
http://www.morehandles.co.uk/ludlow-foundries-tee-hinge-lf5515.html

**Before fitting, give them a good work-out in the vice so as to take off the paint from the meet faces. Fit the top hinge then remove the support wedge from beneath the hinge stile so the door is hanging on the hinge. Then fit the bottom hinge. This will take out as much slop as possible.

I found this tool immensely helpful
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Blue-Pump-Air-Wedge-Alignment-Inflatable-Shim-Air-Cushioned-Powerful-Hand-Tools-/252273229610?hash=item3abca7ff2a
when fitting the very heavy oak doors on my garage. It lifts what must be 150lb with ease and enables micro adjustment. I am indebted to errrm, someone on here, for recommending it.

Ivor

** teaching Gran to suck eggs

 

[noj]

I've bought a few things from here:
http://www.suffolklatchcompany.co.uk/products/hand-forged-18-penny-bean-end-t-hinge


I've only bought smallish hinges but they were well made and had little play

 

[steveb]

we used the suffolk latch company as above to hang hand-made oak doors on (made out of 22mm reclaimed oak)

no problems in three years, surprisingly good for the money

 

[livias]

Or you could use pintels which is more traditional

 

[a twig]

I have thought of pintles, but I can guarantee that after I had caught my shin, arm, hips, whatever a few times on the protrusions I would regret it.

Thanks for the recommendations all, I will take a look and see what I can find.

 

[Feltwell]

. I am indebted to errrm, someone on here, for recommending it.

Ivor

You're welcome. :wink:

I just wish someone had told me about them before I fitted my very large, very heavy garage doors!

 

[88v8]

Ahhh, excellent person, thankyou have a Rec, oops wrong forum.

I am about to benefit again today, having done a trial hang of a garage door and then removed the (Collinges) hinges to paint them, I am about to do the real forever hang and will once again witness the miracle of 150lb of door rising on a puff of air from a bollock-size rubber bladder.

Ivor

 

[malcolm]

The Ludlow foundry hinges and handles are a good find Ivor. They appear to match the ones used throughout my pub interior and I plan to continue that part of the theme on some new doors. A lot of the doors are adzed, but that might be a step to far, especially with the new fire doors.

 

[wobs]

Some rather nice ones here:
http://cottinghamcollection.co.uk/product-category/architectural-hardware/hinges-architectural/?product_count=36

Some friends of ours recently got some shelf brackets here, and they have raved about them.

 

[a twig]

So, bit of feedback, went for the Ludlows, they look great and are very sturdy, but the quality does vary, one was good and solid with very little play in the hinge, the other had a lot, the pin of the hinge being a good half a cm too long..

So, used the one with the least play for the top hinge and all was well in the end. They look great, and due to the hinges being well greased on arrival, the action is smooth and silent - so, overall happy, but might investigate a couple other suppliers for future doors, as if both had been "dodgy" ones it would have spoiled the end effect somewhat to have the two straps appearing to converge...