Replies

1. 
   renosteinke | Oct 14, 2008 08:11pm | #1

   When in doubt ... as many, and as big, as possible.

   A great amount of the variation in price is caused by the appearance ... a pretty hinge with a fancy finish will cost you dearly.

   By comparison, a basic comercial duty hinge isn't all that expensive.

2. 
   BUIC | Oct 14, 2008 09:40pm | #2

    Three hinges like these will easily do the job and last a long time...buic

   http://www.amazon.com/inch-Door-Hinge-Bright-Solid/dp/B0002SAFMI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1224009447&sr=1-2

3. 
   Howard_Burt | Oct 14, 2008 09:43pm | #3

   Are you just looking for something to handle the load, or are you after some style points as well?

   I've always thought olive knuckle type hinges look pretty unique.

   http://www.vonmorris.com/hinges/olive_knuckle.cfm

   Or how about a continuous hinge?

   http://www.hagerhinge.com/catalog/prodGroup.asp?c=26&p=494#pg494

1. 
   jjapogee | Oct 14, 2008 10:16pm | #4

   Some basic style is preferred, though not so elaborate as the olive knuckle (though they are pretty neat looking). Oil-rubbed bronze finish is about as schwanky as I am hoping to achieve for this project.Functionality is key- the door is solid core and heavy, and I want the hinges to operate well for a long time- this is why someone suggested bearing hinges. Anybody have experience with the durability of these hinges?

1. 
   joeh | Oct 14, 2008 10:25pm | #6

   Hager bearing hinges are damn good.

   Last forever too.

   Joe H

2. 
   doorboy | Oct 15, 2008 12:29am | #7

   Ball bearing hinges were designed for use on door with a door closer--usually in a commercial application.
   Hager makes a good hinge, but it is built to the same spedifications as a few others--Stanley Architectural, Bommer, McKinney, Cal Royal.
   Check your local architectural hardware distributor.
   4 x 4 hinges will do just fine for a 3-0 x 6-8 door, but you might consider 4.5 x 4.5 for something a little different.
   By the way, that photo on the Amazon website is of a 3.5" hinge--not a 4" hinge. just an observation.

1. 
   BUIC | Oct 15, 2008 06:30pm | #14

     Good observation on the # of hinge screws in each leaf.

     Still, they're great hinges. I've used them on jobs and for my own house.

     The leaves are extruded solid brass, and the knuckles are cnc machined. Makes for a tight, smooth fit and swing...buic

4. 
   brad805 | Oct 14, 2008 10:24pm | #5

   Lots of Made in China ball bearing hinges that are not too bad.  I went with some Hafele ball bearing hinges for my doors.  My 32"x80" wood door weighed in at around 80lb, three hinges per door.  Like anything, you can spend whatever you want.  Take a look at Designer Hardwares site and you will find many of the really fancy options (hand forged, antique styles...).  I would have liked to use a Soss Hinge (totally concealed), but my frame stock was not thick enough.

   Brad

5. 
   Sphere | Oct 15, 2008 03:20am | #8

   Job I am on is using Baldwin Brass, with the "lifetime'' finish, REALLY exp. but well made. For instance a 3x3 pair runs about 70 bucks.

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

    

   They kill Prophets, for Profits.

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj_oEx4-Mc4

    

   The world of people goes up and
   

   down and people go up and down with
   

   their world; warriors have no business
   

   following the ups and downs of their
   

   fellow men.
1. 
   brad805 | Oct 15, 2008 03:47am | #9

   I have been looking at some Baldwin lever sets and was wondering if you think their product is worth the $$?  I am having a hard time convincing myself to spend $150 -  $200 on interior lever sets.  I dont have access to a showroom that has them.

   Thanks

   Edited 10/14/2008 8:48 pm ET by brad805

1. 
   Sphere | Oct 15, 2008 04:07am | #11

   Yeah, they are worth the coin.

   I second the sugg. about running steel screws first, and drill the right pilot holes esp. in hardwood. Even then, hand drive only, no impact driver. The brass is soft.

   My customer insisted in on the lifetime finish, I'd personally, not have chosen it. He has the $$$ so it was his call.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

    

   They kill Prophets, for Profits.

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj_oEx4-Mc4

    

   The world of people goes up and

   down and people go up and down with

   their world; warriors have no business

   following the ups and downs of their

   fellow men.

6. 
   Jeff_Clarke | Oct 15, 2008 03:57am | #10

   Baldwin hinges are head and shoulders above the rest -

   http://www.baldwinhardware.com/product_detail.aspx?iid=478&nav=4_15&carry=%2fproduct_results.aspx%3fcid%3d2%26csid%3d3%26nav%3d4_15%26rpp%3d20%26page%3d1

   Well worth the price, and you certainly don't have to do lifetime.

   Here's another good way to buy them:  http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=baldwin+hinge&_sacat=0&_fromfsb=&_trksid=m270.l1313&_odkw=baldwin&_osacat=0

   Here's a tip - install them with Vix bit drill for holes, steel screws and then put the solid brass screws in after - saves wear and tear on the brass heads.

    

   Jeff

    

   
   

   ---

   Edited 10/14/2008 9:37 pm ET by Jeff_Clarke

7. 
   Gene_Davis | Oct 15, 2008 04:44am | #12

   Consider the in-service environment of the door.  Many front entry doors on today's houses get used only when someone like dinner guests and process servers ring the bell.  The rest of the time, it sits closed.

   Ball bearing hinges go into situations with heavier service requirements than that.  The bearings are only working for you when the door is swinging, so if there is a whole lot of swinging, a BB hinge will outlast one that has knuckle grinding on knuckle.

   What you really want, probably, is just a well-made hinge with leaf thickness more like 0.125", instead of the 0.098" thickness of the common hinges that come on prehung doors.

    

   View Image

   "A stripe is just as real as a dadgummed flower."

   Gene Davis        1920-1985

1. 
   doorboy | Oct 15, 2008 05:34pm | #13

   0.134 for an architectural hinge actually, but who's counting?