Cutting Piano Hinges

[Ashley Burton]

Got a project coming up that I need to cut down a piano hinge

It's not a job I've done previously, But I'm struggling to find any info on what you do with the hinge pin...

Surely if you cut it, It will just slide out of the hinge?

Do you not need to burr the pin over?

 

[tom2207]

just cut it , theres enough friction along the length that they dont fall out you could always tap both ends if you feel the need , or a tac if it was going into a high vibration environment ,, the other dodge is to bend it slightly , then put it on straight , that stops the rod moving but lots of ways , but normally not a problem.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Aye. As above I've just cut then and left em as is

 

[brightspark]

a dab of Loctite if its loose

 

[Parm]

If it’s in a location where it will be a PITA once installed, just give it a dink with a centre punch

 

[grim_d]

If it’s in a location where it will be a PITA once installed, just give it a dink with a centre punch

Yup, peen both ends then it can't go anywhere.

 

[Paul.]

Yup, peen both ends then it can't go anywhere.

If you peen both ends make sure its on the same leaf or the hinge will be locked, Ive used loads of stainless piano hinge and rarely needed to secure the pin, but if needed a small tig tack on one end does it.

 

[grim_d]

If you peen both ends make sure its on the same leaf or the hinge will be locked, Ive used loads of stainless piano hinge and rarely needed to secure the pin, but if needed a small tig tack on one end does it.

I just leave the pin ever so slightly long and peen the pin, not the hinge, just enough so the end of the pin can't fit through, you can also tap the end and fit a small screw.

I've never had an issue but admittedly it's generally with aluminium hinges.

I've seen toilet door hinges on aircraft migrate up and drill a small hole in the ceiling panel, it's not just falling down that is a concern.

 

[RichardM]

As per Paul for the stainless ones I've used, tig tack on one end.
Also if it is pre-drilled work out where the holes will sit prior to cutting.

 

[RonA]

I installed three new stainless continuous hinges (“piano”) for the fan fold bonnet on my restoration motor. They have brass pins & to remove them you have to “persuade” them out with a parallel punch & hammer. I had to do this to cut to the hinge length because of the different materials.
You shouldn’t really have any problems with the pins coming out on their own.
RonA