Replies

1. 
   YesMaam27577 | Apr 22, 2009 02:32pm | #1

   Dunno who makes it, but I'll offer two really good guesses as to where you can buy.....

   http://www.rockler.com

   http://www.vandykes.com

   Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.
1. 
   Gnome | Apr 22, 2009 03:14pm | #2

   Rockler doesn't have it and I sent for Van Dyke's catalog as I don't have the patience to wade through the 93 pages of "desk hardware" their search returned.

2. 
   hdgis1 | Apr 22, 2009 04:17pm | #3

   Personally, I'd ship the borgs of woodworking and try one of the following - Ball and ball, whitechapel, or horton. Much better hardware all around.

   Chris

1. 
   Gnome | Apr 22, 2009 04:34pm | #4

   None of the above have it.

1. 
   BigFrank | Apr 22, 2009 10:18pm | #5

   Do you think this hinge would work?:http://www.vandykes.com/product/cb1600112/180-degree-leaf-support-hingesI too am making a drop/fall front desk and I want a set of nice looking hinges. These are the nicest looking ones I've seen so far. not sure how much weight/support they would yield tho...Frank

1. 
   hdgis1 | Apr 23, 2009 06:05am | #7

   I'd say no. You're gonna want a hinge that sits in the writing surface as flush as possible. Not only does it effect practicality to have those big ole' things stickin' out but they would probably be the first thing the eye goes to.Try something like this:http://ballandball.com/hinges_furn_slantfrontdesk.htmlor like this:http://www.horton-brasses.com/store/hinges/specialtyhinges/brassdeskhingesHow much weight they can hold is kind of irrelevant as the weight of the lid and any other weight should be held by the two pullouts on each side of the upper drawer.Chris

1. 
   BigFrank | Apr 23, 2009 05:06pm | #11

   I was not intending on using the support boards underneath the desk leaf. What I am interested in making is something more along the line of this piece by David Finck:http://www.davidfinck.com/images_html/new%202007/DSCF0322.jpgKeeping that in mind, does anyone have any idea where to find that hardware?

2. 
   Jimurock | Apr 23, 2009 07:38pm | #12

   Those are called desk stays.  They're readily available.  Here's one site: http://www.whitechapel-ltd.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=02DESstay

   Jim

3. 
   BigFrank | Apr 23, 2009 08:23pm | #13

   "DESK STAYS"Ahhhh! So that's what they are called. Its been driving me nuts and I couldn't figure out what the heck to search for.How about the actual hinge part? Is that just a standard Knife hinge?

   Thanks so much for your help.Frank

   Edited 4/23/2009 1:39 pm ET by BigFrank

4. 
   Jimurock | Apr 23, 2009 09:19pm | #14

   Looks like knife hinges on the sample you showed.  I doubt that there's a standard answer.  Personally I'd prefer more support towards the centre of the lid, but I usually do 18th c. rather than modern, so I'm not the best person to ask.  There are 2 types of stay, hinged or sliding, so that might affect your choice.  The site I gave gives some instructions that might help.   http://www.whitechapel-ltd.com/tech/folding_lid_stays.shtml  Good luck,

   Jim

5. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Apr 23, 2009 09:35pm | #15

   Jim,

   Not sure if I've asked you this before but in your travels have you run across hardware for a cylinder fall for a secretarie?

   Regards, Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

6. 
   Jimurock | Apr 24, 2009 01:16am | #16

   Bob

   If I remember right you were interested in one of those barrel shaped jobs, the like of which I've never seen in the flesh, so I'm not sure what hardware is needed.  Have you tried getting in touch with Whitechapel?  If they don't carry it they're likely to know who, if anyone, does.  They sell stuff from UK and US, and take reproduction hardware seriously.  Sorry couldn't help more,

   Jim

7. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Apr 24, 2009 04:50am | #17

   Jim,

   Yes I'm familiar with Whitechapel.  I'm still in research/data collection mode on the cylinder fall but is definitely in the planning stages.  Plans for these simply do not exist that I have been able to find.  All kinds for drop/fall fronts though.  Love it, adds to the challenge!

   I've wanted to build a secretarie and when I saw a cylinder fall well I guess it kinda slapped me upside the head.  Liked 'em so gotta make one.

   I don't want to derail this discussion so to anyone wanting to build a secretarie they might want to check out Ernest Joyces' - Encyclopedia of Furniture Making.  Good read.

   Thanks again Jim,

    Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

8. 
   Jimurock | Apr 24, 2009 05:47am | #18

   Now that you've mentioned Joyce, he does have sections on stays and hinges that might be of interest to the OP.  I'm not sure if you can still buy him -- my copy is dated 1987 and was printed in China.  Odd, isn't it, how old-fashioned his "modern" furniture looks.  I got the impression from reading him that most of the unique hardware for the cylinder fall movement would have to be shopmade, but then I don't think he's talking about an antique reproduction.

   Cheers, Jim

9. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Apr 24, 2009 01:52pm | #19

   Hi Jim,

   That book never ceases to amaze me.  It truly is an encyclopedia to me; turn to it very often.

   I got my copy thru the local library and if I recall paid less than $20 for it.  Libraries are a great source for information.  I think sometimes we get so wrapped up in all the techno whirl we forget what's already around us.

   Regards, Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

2. 
   hdgis1 | Apr 23, 2009 06:06am | #8

   Try calling the folks at Ball and Ball and tell them what you're looking for. They may be able to point you in the right direction.Chris

3. 
   mrbird90 | Apr 23, 2009 05:22am | #6

   I purchased mine from Hershberger's Hardware Ltd. in Baltic Ohio. No web site as they are Amish. They have a phone service 1-800-734-8044 and a good catalog. Page 41 in their 2008 catalog shows three different styles of hardware for drop front desks.

4. 
   Taigert | Apr 23, 2009 06:23am | #9

   Gnome, I would talk to Tommy Macdonald also know by his alias T-Chisel. He is really into the furmiture of that period. He would be my go to guy.

   http://www.thomasjmacdonald.com

   Good luck,

   Taigert

1. 
   Gnome | Apr 23, 2009 01:47pm | #10

   Thanks for the heads up on T-chisel's site. The man's skills are amazing. I just watched a couple of videos there and I am more encouraged to start this rather daunting project. I want to do this because if I don't challenge myself my skills will never improve.