Click on any image for a larger image.

Alignment tool used to align the hinges. This is a 1" dowell rod with a 1/4 secton removed with a router.

This shows the detail of the cutout on the base to accomodate the hinge that is attached to the apron.
If I were starting over, I would probably reverse the hinge so that the half that is on the apron was on the outside. That would facilitate adding the counterweight and possibly adding some means of adding mechanical advantage.

This shows the hinge being aligned with the alignment tool. Once this alignment is atained, the mounting plate is welded to the base. This establishes the front to back alignment. Vertical alignment can be adjusted using the slots in the hinge.
When I welded the hinge together, the vertical alignment was done by measuring from the bed to the top of the hing pin hole. I was also able to correct a 1/16" error in the horizontal alignment on the right hinge.

This shows one half of the hinge. The plate it is bolted too is welded to the base.
Later I did away with the bolts and welded the hinge to the plate.


This page was updated December 13, 2001