We are building an engine house and are looking for hinges for the doors.

I have seen some excellent doll house hinges used on models but the owners indicate that while you can open and close the door. You have to be real careful.

Since the intent is to use the structure outdoors when not on our modules the door hinges must work well and be functional. At the same time we want the look to be as close to realistic as possible.

Any ideas or experience?

Thanks

Stan

Stanley

Dollhouse hinges are usually ornamental and only notional for operations. I suggest you try hinges made for jewelry boxes or clocks.

Here is a link to a couple of e-bay listings.

https://www.ebay.com/p/20x-Antique-Brass-Butterfly-Hinge-Cabinet-Drawer-Jewelry-20x17mm-With-Screws/2255252841?iid=361741436630&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D47301%26meid%3D638f5682e2b941c2b34b14646f3c5b5c%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D253314941735%26itm%3D361741436630&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

https://www.ebay.com/itm/20pcs-Small-Strong-Brass-Butt-Hinge-Jewellery-Cigar-Trinket-Box-With-Screw/112713655521?hash=item1a3e41e4e1:g:rMYAAOSwXPNaQePh

I would tend to agree. Doll house stuff can be pretty fragile, but I am VERY suspicious of 20 BRASS hinges for $1.70. I would suspect that they may be brass colored, but not solid brass. Heck, I’d be suspicious if you got a PAIR of them for $1.70.

Although the free shipping is nice! (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)

Of course I could just be living in an alternate universe where I don’t trust most advertisements…

buy some good cigars, use the hinges of the box.

Model aircraft hinges are (usually) nylon, and the tabs can be cut to whatever pattern you want. A good paint job should protect the nylon from UV.

just a thought.

I use a peice of strip metal and some wire.

I bend the end of the strip into a loop which fits over the wire. I then cut it to length and fasten it to the door. Repeat top, bottom and middle for each door. I use escutcheon pins inserted through drilled holes in the door and through the hinge. I press hinge and pins tight. I clip off the end of the escutcheon pins close to the hinge. Then I tap the end of the pin, preening over to flair it out securing the hinge very well.

Then I bend a right angle at the end of the wire just longer than the width of the strip. I then hold the door up to the opening. I drill a hole for the wire into the door frame just below each strip. I insert the wires into the holes so that the bent end sticks up and fit into the hinges.

Stan

FWIW, Micro Mark carries a handful of solid brass small hinges

https://www.micromark.com/search?keywords=hinges

Regards

Jerry

I am “assuming” since this is an engine house you want functioning “strap hinges” ?

I have used model aircraft hinges (large), and also bought small brass doll house hinges and made strap hinges from them by soldering more onto it and the shaping it into the strap…

Heck…those Chinese hinges…at $1.79 a pop whats to worry about…?(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)

For $1.59 I could not pass up the opportunity to purchase the hinges on EBAY. They appear to be brass and are stronger then I first thought.

They look good but will have to find a better way to install them securely. Likely will get a slightly larger one for the engine house and bolt them on.

Stan