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Hinges
Technical Information
Continuous Hinges Technical Information
Jargon Buster
Continuous
Also referred to as 'Piano' hinges, continuous hinges are generally hinges formed in long lengths. They can be used for a wide variety of applications, and are often cut down to smaller lengths to suit an application.
We loosely class hinges longer than 150mm as a continuous hinge.
Pin
The pin or 'rod' is inserted between both halves of the hinge to hold it together.
Cranked
Refers to 'bending' the flaps of the hinge.
Reverse Jointed
Reverse jointed or 'reversed' hinges, are joined with one flap facing opposite to the other.
Butt/Backflap
'Butt' hinges are hinges which have a length longer than the open width (not including continuous hinges).
'Backflap' hinges are the reverse, whereby the length is shorter than the open width.
Roll Diameter
The roll or 'knuckle' diameter is the overall diameter of the pin and the material either side.
Pierced
Pierced, or 'drilled/punched' hinges, are hinges which have holes.
Self Colour
Self Colour refers to the natural finish of the material, without any coating, plating or polishing.
Lift-Off
'Lift-Off' hinges are hinges which are in 2 parts, a male and a female.
The purpose of these hinges allows doors to be removed from the frame without the need to remove the hinges.
Gauge (swg)
The gauge refers to the thickness of material from which the hinge is made.
Riveted Pin
A riveted pin is where the pin has been pressed at each end to form a 'head,' which prevents the pin falling through from either end.
Radiused
Radiused is a term often used for the corners of a hinge, where they are rounded to a specific radius.
Length
The length of a hinge is the distance from one end of the pin, to the other.
Joint
The joint of a hinge refers to the length of the individual rolls.
Swaged
Also referred to as 'cranking' or 'bending', we use the term swaged when cranking the material close to the rolls. This changes the distance between the flaps when the hinge is closed. See also; 'Closed Flat'.
Cropped
Cropped is a term often used for the corners of a hinge, where they are shaped diagonally from edge to edge.
Open Width
The open width of a hinge is the distance from one edge of the hinge, to the other.
Pitch
The pitch, or 'centres' refers to the dimension between holes along the length of the hinge. Not to be confused with centres across, which is the dimensions between holes across the rolls of the hinge.
Open Flat
'Open Flat' or 'Flat Backed' refers to when the hinge is open, both flaps will lay flat on a level surface.
Handed
The term handed is mostly used for Lift-Off hinges, where the hinges can be supplied in a mirror image of itself. The side the application is hinged on dictates which hand you will need.
Centre Pin
The centre pin dimension of a hinge is the distance from one edge of the hinge, to the centre of the pin.
Countersunk
Countersinking is the process of creating an enlarged bevel in an already pierced hole, which enables a screw/bolt to finish flush with the surface, typically wood screws.
Closed Flat
'Closed Flat' or 'Swaged Closed' refers to when the hinge is closed, both flaps will sit flush together, leaving little or no gap between.
Flap
Flap or 'leaf' is a term for either side of the hinge which protrudes from the roll or 'knuckle'.
Material Specifications
Our hinges are available in a range of materials, from stock or bespoke.
If you need a material grade not listed below, please
contact us
.
Sheet/Strip
Mild Steel:
CR4 and HR4 – BS 1449 PT1: 1991
Aluminium:
BS 1470: 1987 5251 H22
Stainless Steel:
BS 1449 PT2: 1983
- 304:
S15 B.A. Finish (up to 1.6mm) 2B Finish (2mm and over)
- 316:
S11 2B Finish
Brass:
BS 2870: 1980 CZ 108
Zintec:
BS EN 10 152
Galvatite:
(smooth or spangled) BS 2989
Rod/Wire
Mild Steel:
BS 1052: 1980
Aluminium:
BS 1475: 1972 6063TD
Stainless Steel:
BS 1554: 1990
- 302/3
S31 (continuous/butt hinges with flush pins)
- 430
S18 (butt hinges with riveted pins)
- 394
S17 (butt hinges with riveted pins)
- 316
S11 (continuous/butt hinges with flush pins)
Brass:
BS 2873: 1969 CZ 108
Phosphor Bronze:
BS 2874: 1968 PB 102
Galvanised:
BS 1052: 1980
Conversion Table
Gauge (swg)
Inch (decimal)
Inch (fraction)
mm
0.219
7/32
5.56
4
0.232
5.89
0.250
1/4
6.35
3
0.252
6.40
2
0.276
7.01
0.281
9/32
7.14
1
0.300
7.62
0.312
5/16
7.94
0
0.324
8.23
0.344
11/32
8.73
2/0
0.348
8.84
3/0
0.372
9.45
0.375
3/8
9.52
4/0
0.400
10.16
0.406
13/32
10.32
5/0
0.432
10.97
0.437
7/16
11.11
6/0
0.464
11.78
0.469
15/32
11.91
7/0
0.500
1/2
12.70
0.531
17/32
13.49
0.562
9/16
14.29
0.594
19/32
15.08
0.625
5/8
15.87
0.656
21/32
16.67
0.687
11/16
17.46
0.719
23/32
18.26
0.750
3/4
19.05
0.781
25/32
19.84
0.812
13/16
20.64
0.843
27/32
21.43
0.875
7/8
22.22
0.906
29/32
23.02
0.937
15/16
23.81
0.969
31/32
24.60
1.000
1
25.40