Attaching small hinges to box.

[rjwz28]

This is the first time I'm making a small box and want to know how most of you install the hinges. I'm using small brass ones. The box wall thickness is 7/16". The hinges don't cover the whole thickness of the wood walls so I need to cut 3 sides down to the right thickness. How should I do it? Exact and then chisels?

Thanks All,
Rob

 

[rdesigns]

I use a router set to the  depth of the hinge leaf thickness, and to keep the router from tipping on the narrow edge, I clamp a wide piece of scrap flush with the top of the box side. After marking the exact outline of the hinge with a sharp blade, I rout out close to the line and then use a chisel to finish to the line. The chisel work is easy once you have the depth established by the router.

 

[Tim Sproul]

Hinge mortise plane.