Although I haven’t made many boxes these days as I’m busy with other projects I do love using his hinges and in the past was a bit concerned for a while back when I couldn’t get any. Good to see them available again now as he has found a reliable manufacturer who can make them to the finest tolerances needed for a great performing hinge.

I love how with his hinges we have the option to cut the ends off square which makes them easier to fit with hand tools instead of having to set up a router and fuss around trying to match the exact diameter of the bit, depth of cut etc.

I also prefer the more traditional square end look as the rounded ends seem to look too modern for me. Setting up the router table is great if you’re doing a few but if you’re just making one box and pretty skilled with hand tools then doing this by hand is more pleasurable in my opinion.

Andrew designed the holes on his to be set back a bit further from the end allowing them to be cut off square. Other makers don’t do this.

I, too, will be clear: the smartHinge and smartButt hinges are the best available box hinges. I suggest that you bring your box work up to that level.

Interesting to see this conversation about Horton Brasses. The hinges you mention, Joe, and I’ve seen on your blog, look like the stop relies on a square knuckle. But it’s impossible to tell from the one image provided on the HB site, and to my mind it’s a very important detail! I have always considered a square knuckle to be an unsatisfactory solution, which is why I developed my smartHinge [side rail] and and smartButt [stop butt] hinges, both of which Rob has highlighted above. These both rely on an internal stop contained within, crucially, a round knuckle. I believe this to be a superior solution, albeit that they are not mass produced and therefore more expensive.

I haven’t used Brusso as typically too expensive but they do have top notch products for sure. Haven’t used SmartHinge or seen them. Will have to keep an eye out for them.

Sincerely,
Joe

Now I see what you point out from Horton, along with the larger sizes of that type that are available.

I will say that I don’t think they are as nice as SmartHinge or Brusso.

Rob

https://www.horton-brasses.com/shop/horton-brasses/hinges/clock-box-hinges/4-8-stop-hinges/

https://joeswoodworkingjourney.blogspot.com/2022/03/tea-bag-box-part-3-sawing-open-carcass.html