Welcome to the world ofcontinuous piano hinges, a small yet significant component in everything from musical instruments to household items. This blog post will delve into six facts about continuous piano hinges.
Whether you're aDIY enthusiast, a professional carpenter, or simply curious about the mechanics behind these hinges, this guide will provide valuable insights into what makes them essential and versatile.
6 Facts About Continuous Piano Hinges
What is a piano hinge?
A piano hinge, also known as a continuous piano hinge, is a long, narrow hinge that runs the entire length of the door or panel it is attached to, unlike traditional hinges, which are short and typically used in pairs or more. It's named for its use in piano lids but is versatile enough for various applications.
This type of hinge offers more stability and support than shorter hinges, making it ideal for heavy or frequently used doors. This continuous length evenly distributes weight and stress, minimizing the risk of sagging or misaligning doors or lids.
What are standard continuous piano hinges?
Standard continuous piano hinges are characterized bypins and leaves made from the same metal, with leaves of equal widths lying flat in the same plane when open and capable of 270° degrees of rotation.
Hinges can be attached through spot welding, tack welding, or drilling holes during assembly.
Continuous piano hinges come primarily in two types:plain andpre-drilled.
Plain hinges: 
- Offer flexibility for custom hole patterns.
- Steel, stainless steel, and aluminum piano hinges are typically sold without pre-drilled holes.
Pre-drilled hinges:
- Have evenly spaced holes forease of installation.
- Brite-annealed, brass pre-plate, and nickel pre-plate piano hinges come with pre-punched and countersunk holes at two-inch intervals.
The choice between the two types depends on the application and installation requirements.
What are the fabrication options for continuous piano hinges?
Continuous piano hinges offer various fabrication options to meet functional and aesthetic needs. These include:
- Hole punching forscrews or rivets
- Bending for corner or curved applications
- Staked pins for added strength and durability.
These customization options allow continuous piano hinges to be tailored for various uses, from industrial applications to everyday household items.
How long should a piano hinge be?
The length of a piano hinge is crucial for its function. It ismeasured parallel to the pin, the rod running through the hinge's knuckles.
For aesthetic and practical reasons, it's recommended to use a hinge that is an even multiple of the knuckle length to avoid partial end knuckles, which are less attractive and may not move as freely.
Standard stock hinges typically come in 6’ and 8’ lengths, but they can be cut down to the required size using a saw or punch press. Custom lengths are also available to suit specific requirements.