Shopsmith Forums

After the present run of BSBs are done, I'm going to build a pistol/ammo briefcase for my son. So, I'll be looking for hinges, corner protectors, locking latches and a leather wrapped handle.
I'm thinking that a piano hinge would suffice but I'm open to better ideas. I've been searching the net and it seems that pricing is all over the place but how to judge quality from a web page????
So, where do you folks who use box hardware go for quality brass goods....and nice handles?
Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Gene Howe wrote:After the present run of BSBs are done, I'm going to build a pistol/ammo briefcase for my son. So, I'll be looking for hinges, corner protectors, locking latches and a leather wrapped handle.
I'm thinking that a piano hinge would suffice but I'm open to better ideas. I've been searching the net and it seems that pricing is all over the place but how to judge quality from a web page????
So, where do you folks who use box hardware go for quality brass goods....and nice handles?
Thanks for any advice you can give me.

I can't answer those questions because I have not had good luck selecting those items. Be advised that low cost does not yield quality. That advise I can give with the greatest of confidence. Brass hardware from places like ACE and the box stores is out!

Totally agree, Dusty. I'm not adverse to paying good money for the hardware. After all, it's for "the kid".
The case will likely be mesquite. If I'm going to use my dwindling stash for the box, hardware costs will be negligible....I do value my mesquite.

Gene: Check out the selection at Lee Valley. I was well pleased with the box hardware I purchased from them about 2 years ago.

I think that Rockler stocks brass box corners.
Bill V

Try Van Dykes and if you don't find anything on their site, call them.
http://www.vandykes.com/hardware-furnit ... are/c/394/

Brad: Thank you for posting this site. I've been looking for a provider such as this for years.

Rockler and Woodcraft once offered Brief case parts and kits but they don't any longer. I couldn't find anything on Lee Valley either.

Rockler still has some parts check link

http://woodworking.rockler.com/search?a ... Search.y=7

also check
http://www.ohiotravelbag.com/

and

http://www.furnitureknowledge.com/brief ... rdware.htm

Hope this helps

Here is a good place to lose an afternoon looking at smaller hardware. This has been the primary supply for the shoe and luggage repair trades for hardware for a very long time. On their home page the hardware catalog link is on the left about the 3rd block down. They always had a printed catalog but mine is many many years out of date now.

http://www.ohiotravelbag.com/

BTW, box and case corners start on page 57.


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I used Soss hinges on the one I built dad in the 8th grade. It lasted almost 5 years until a thief broke it up trying to get the pistols inside. He took the spotting scope and ammo, left the pistols as they were all marked "Property of U.S. Government". That theft marred dad's trip to the Camp Perry matches in 1960. FBI got involved. Don't remember if they found the thief. The box traveled all over the U.S. and survived two trips to Japan and back. IIRC the box was yellow pine, glued and screwed butt joints. The white enamel was chipped and scratched by the time the thief got to it. He used a hammer to break the box so it would look like transit damage. The box was found in the Greyhound Station in Chicago.
The hinges came out under repeated hammer blows, you could see the marks. They worked great with the spotting scope mounted into the lid.
Sorry for the trip down memory lane. I'm missing dad.