New hinge?

[Cassie]

Sorry to bother you all with trivia, and please delete if not appropriate, but I thought if anyone would know, one of you would! I’ve tried searching to no avail. Large Victorian mahogany wardrobe with the centre doors on pivot hinges top and bottom. One of the bottom ones has sheared apart. Any ideas of where I can source a replacement to repair it? Picture of intact ones, I’m holding the broken one. Thank you all!

 

[Cubist]

Hi Cassie, May be an idea to google antique door furniture hinges or some variation of same. There are many outfits out there that specialise in such parts for professional and amateur restorers. Another option may be that if you can provide some dimensions it may be possible for someone to fabricate something for you that would do the job.
Cheers,
Cubist

 

[Cassie]

Thanks Cubist I’ve searched all sorts, but I can’t find anything that’s angled like these. Good suggestion to try more specialist restoration places. I’ll keep trying! Cheers

 

[Craig89]

Hello Cassie. I can probably make you a replacement. If you can provide me with dimensions or send me one to copy. Send me a personal message if you like.
Cheers, Craig

 

[Cassie]

Hello Cassie. I can probably make you a replacement. If you can provide me with dimensions or send me one to copy. Send me a personal message if you like.
Cheers, Craig

Craig, that an incredibly kind offer, thank you! I seem to be drawing a blank on the internet. I’ll send you a message, thanks again

 

[paulc]

Hello Cassie. I can probably make you a replacement. If you can provide me with dimensions or send me one to copy. Send me a personal message if you like.
Cheers, Craig

Or can the two halves be silver soldered back together ?

 

[Cubist]

Or can the two halves be silver soldered back together ?

I'm afraid that silver solder would be far too weak for the job and, given that the break is across a screw hole, I believe theres not enough material remaining to allow steel welding. I think, given that the hinge needs to sit in a rebate in the door, it would be better to take Craig up on his offer to fabricate a new one.

 

[Craig89]

On account that the original appears to be brass then silver solder would be the best method of trying to repair it but, as has been mentioned, the location of the break would make it difficult to make a satisfactory repair. It looks like a straight forward part to fabricate so I consider that the better option for a long lasting repair

 

[Cassie]

Broken part will be winging its way to Craig’s hinge hospital shortly

 

[Cubist]

On account that the original appears to be brass then silver solder would be the best method of trying to repair it but, as has been mentioned, the location of the break would make it difficult to make a satisfactory repair. It looks like a straight forward part to fabricate so I consider that the better option for a long lasting repair

I've modified my monitors picture setting and even put on my specs so I will grudgingly accept the hinge 'may' be brass rather than steel.

That said, a high nickel content brass would be strong enough for the job and it may also explain why the hinge broke where it did when the original screws were replaced - cross head/philips pattern screws were not introduced until the 1930s. As a consequence theres a chance that the break occurred when the screws were replaced. If soldered to make a repair theres a risk that it will fail again when the hinge is refitted. Best make sure the rebate is clean and level before trying and don't torque the screws down too tight.

 

[Cassie]

Good advice cubist, thank you. Although I’m anticipating a bit of a bugger-it’s been repaired more than once in previous lives so there’s more hole than wood left to fit to! I’m thinking a 2 part filler might be the ticket to give a solid base?

 

[Cubist]

In the past I've injected a little wet rot wood hardener to stabilise the timber and when it's throughly dried out filled the screw holes with a two part part filler as you're thinking. It's also a good idea though to drill the holes to the required diameter and test fit the screws to the full depth before attempting to refit the hinge. Some 2 part fillers can be very strong and may resist the screws AND if the holes are not pre-drilled theres a possibility of splitting the wood.

 

[Cassie]

Sounds like excellent advice as always cubist, thank you. I’m guessing a small pilot bit to pre drill the screw holes rather than one to fit the screw (if you see what I mean!)

 

[MatthewC]

Good advice cubist, thank you. Although I’m anticipating a bit of a bugger-it’s been repaired more than once in previous lives so there’s more hole than wood left to fit to! I’m thinking a 2 part filler might be the ticket to give a solid base?

I have often drilled out the bad hole and glued a piece of dowel in the hole then, when it's set, drilled a pilot hole for the screw. You just have to make sure that you have the right size dowel!

 

[Cassie]

Another good suggestion, thank you Matt. Now I’ve removed the rest of the broken piece ready to send away, I’ll have a good look in daylight

 

[Cubist]

Sounds like excellent advice as always cubist, thank you. I’m guessing a small pilot bit to pre drill the screw holes rather than one to fit the screw (if you see what I mean!)

That's right but make sure to drill the final hole to about 2mm less than the diameter of the screw shank.

Its wise also to remember that when the screw is driven in it will raise a small pimple, like a crater, around the edge of the hole, and its a good idea just to clean this off to avoid it becoming trapped under the hinge. This can be a source of some of the pressure exerted on the hinge that caused it to fail in the first place.

I have often drilled out the bad hole and glued a piece of dowel in the hole then, when it's set, drilled a pilot hole for the screw. You just have to make sure that you have the right size dowel!

They're not so some common these days but this brought to mind memories of my father stuffing broken match-sticks into screw holes to help get some extra purchase on the threads.