This isn't really a woodworking question at all, but I'm sure the crowd here
will have lots of good suggestions.
I have a scientific equipment case (essentially an aluminum camera case)
whose hingest open 180 degrees so that the top lies flat on the table.
I'd prefer that it only opened slightly more than 90 degrees, so the top
would stand up. 100 to 110 degrees is OK, so that its own weight will hold
it open.
What is the best way to achieve this? Simply add some hinges that don't
open much more than 90? Any problem with more than one kind of hinges on
the same camera case, as long as the axes are aligned? Any problem with
using pop rivets to attach them?
Or should I take a different approach, such as adding a strap of leather
(such as one of my briefcases has)?
Should I just take it to a luggage repair shop?
Thanks for your advice and discussion!
"Dan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Sun 28 Aug 2005 08:53:48a, "mc" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
>> Ah. There isn't really room for that, as the case already has a
>> fitted foam interior.
>>
>
> I think a strap or chain will work fine, if it's okay that if the top is
> nudged forward, it slams shut. Those stays usually give it a little
> braking
> power when something pushes the top shut. If you don't want it to ever
> slam
> shut, I think you're stuck getting a mechanical stay and modifying the
> foam.
>
> Also, from experience, I suggest being certain the top won't want to lie
> flat on the table anyway, pulling the rest of the case along with it.
>
> In a previous life we did this same thing for a friend, and it was fine as
> long as all the equipment was in the case. As she removed pieces, the
> balance point shifted, the top went backwards, the bottom went up, and
> pieces of equipment got catapulted. No harm done, but it was a bit of a
> surprise. The delicate stuff was already out. She removed the strap before
> anything broke.
>
> Dan
Thanks. I'll check on that.
>>Or should I take a different approach, such as adding a strap of leather
>>(such as one of my briefcases has)?
>
> That's what I would probably do, except with something like this:
> <http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=48575&cat=3,43740,43745&ap=1>
Ah. There isn't really room for that, as the case already has a fitted foam
interior.
On Sun 28 Aug 2005 08:53:48a, "mc" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> Ah. There isn't really room for that, as the case already has a
> fitted foam interior.
>
I think a strap or chain will work fine, if it's okay that if the top is
nudged forward, it slams shut. Those stays usually give it a little braking
power when something pushes the top shut. If you don't want it to ever slam
shut, I think you're stuck getting a mechanical stay and modifying the
foam.
Also, from experience, I suggest being certain the top won't want to lie
flat on the table anyway, pulling the rest of the case along with it.
In a previous life we did this same thing for a friend, and it was fine as
long as all the equipment was in the case. As she removed pieces, the
balance point shifted, the top went backwards, the bottom went up, and
pieces of equipment got catapulted. No harm done, but it was a bit of a
surprise. The delicate stuff was already out. She removed the strap before
anything broke.
Dan
On Sat, 27 Aug 2005 20:51:15 -0400, "mc" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>Or should I take a different approach, such as adding a strap of leather
>(such as one of my briefcases has)?
That's what I would probably do, except with something like this:
<http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=48575&cat=3,43740,43745&ap=1>
>Should I just take it to a luggage repair shop?
How good are you with tools, and how good do you want the finished
product to look?
Barry
"Ba r r y" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>>
>>Or should I take a different approach, such as adding a strap of leather
>>(such as one of my briefcases has)?
>
> That's what I would probably do, except with something like this:
> <http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=48575&cat=3,43740,43745&ap=1>
Thanks; I'll look at that.
>>Should I just take it to a luggage repair shop?
>
> How good are you with tools, and how good do you want the finished
> product to look?
I don't see a problem with that... I build electronic equipment all the time
and have done some woodworking.
On Sun, 28 Aug 2005 15:12:44 GMT, Dan <[email protected]> wrote:
>In a previous life we did this same thing for a friend, and it was fine as
>long as all the equipment was in the case. As she removed pieces, the
>balance point shifted, the top went backwards, the bottom went up, and
>pieces of equipment got catapulted.
Very common with blow molded guitar and bass cases. <G>
Barry