Are there hinges that "lock" open for the door on your hood?

[agoutihead]

I'm looking for hinges to add onto my hood that will "lock" open the door to the hood when I open it and hold it open while I can work with both hands.

The way I need to build my hood, I cant have it bend back on itself, so it is just going to open about 90*

I would like them to be able to open and lock with one hand, but can use two hands to close them.

Is there anything out there like this?

[poppin_fresh]

Rockler has tons of different hinges and you can get their catalog free. www.rockler.com

Thats all I've got for now.

[sfilingeri]

Check out Lowes at the cabinet hardware section, Im sure there's something that will fit the bill.

My canopy came with a hinge that locks in place so I can do exactly what you're asking, though I wouldnt trust it for any long lenghts of time if unattended. The thought of a canopy lid crashing down cant be good.

[agoutihead]

Yeah I am going to check this week when I go.

Good advice, I wouldn't trust it either, but gives you a "hands free" work area you know?

[agoutihead]

I went to home depot today, and found only one item that would kind of do what I'm asking, but I honestly don't even understand how it works.

I'm going to check lowes tomorrow and see if they have anything.

What do you guys use to prop your tanks open with?

[20 20]

Originally posted by agoutihead
What do you guys use to prop your tanks open with?

A stick (piece of wood, actually...):

[reef2]

lowes has the in the cabinet hardware. got some on mine.



they will lock in a true 90 but the hood will want to tip forward. u will need some support on the back

[agoutihead]

That stick idea won't work on mine as the front panel is going to flip up 90*, not the top part.

I seen that thing at home depot Reef2, do they really work well and actually lock it tight? How do you unlock them to close it?

I am going to have a much lighter piece being supported, so maybe it won't want to "tip" forward at all?

[reef2]

yes they lock tight. the top piece is about 10lbs easy. to unlock u just pul in the middle. my hood splits about 3/4 of the way back so urs may not need the bracing. my top is kinda heavy i tried one hinge and decided on 2 hinges. the way they lock the more pressure u put on it the more it goes into the locked position so there is no chance of it slamming down on u. hth

[skimmerless]

lowes has the in the cabinet hardware. got some on mine.

I used those on my tank as well, but they corroded completely through in less than a year. Luckily they snapped while opening instead of slamming my hood shut and breaking my lighting into the tank.

[agoutihead]

Hmm not sure what you mean by pull in the middle, but thats because it is such a weird contraption. I'm sure it will be easy to figur out when I get it.

I am only going to have a piece of wood that is 1/4" thick and 14Hx36W, so it's not going to be heavy at all, I could probably do with just one of those then huh?

What is the exact name of that thing do you know?

[agoutihead]

is there anything to coat them in so they don't corrode?

[reef2]

once u have one in ur hand its easy to figure out how it works. i cant rember the exact name but they r made for the lids of wooded trunks.

[agoutihead]

doesn't it have the word Friction in its name?

[skimmerless]

is there anything to coat them in so they don't corrode?

I doubt it. The two "arms" of the mechanism are so close that I don't think it is possible to coat them. I use the wooden stick method now. Mine snapped where the top arm meets the top hinge. It would be very hard to protect this area since the motion of opening/closing would quickly remove any coating.

[agoutihead]

Also, how do you engage them to actually lock? do they lock automatically when you open the door? (and therefore, do you have to adjust these in anyway to fit properly on your specific hood?)

Or do you have to push/pull something on that middle piece?

[skimmerless]

Also, how do you engage them to actually lock? do they lock automatically when you open the door? (and therefore, do you have to adjust these in anyway to fit properly on your specific hood?)

Or do you have to push/pull something on that middle piece?

You have to push at the middle of the mechanism to lock it. There is a bump-out on one side that catches in a depression on the other. I still recommend against it, though.

[reef2]

its basicaly a bar that pivots in 3 places. u will need some supports to attach the hinge to. the best thing to do is get one and play around with it.

[agoutihead]

Unfortunately, I don't think I really have any other options. I will just have to plan on replacing them around 6-12 months.

It will only take me 5 minutes to place them and an extra 3 bucks. To me that's worth having it "hands free" ya know?

Reef2, do you think I will have enough support with just 1 of these friction hinges?

[reef2]

most likely. if its only a few lbs.

[agoutihead]

awesome, thanks guys.

[Amador]

I used two chains bolted into either end of the top of my canopy, and some eye bolts on the lid. Raise the lid, clip the chains on the bolts, and you're good to go, and no corrosion to worry about since everything is on the outside of the canopy.

[AZDesertRat]

Toy box hinges. They are friction hinges you can adjust so they stay open.

[agoutihead]

Yeah I am going to get one of those. Seems like the best bet thus far.

thanks.