Supports for toy box lid advise

[Jack Hoying]

I'm building a toy box with a 22" x 36" lid that weighs 11.5 lbs. Does anyone have experience with a nice lid support that will hold the lid in an open position and have a soft close feature?

Thanks in advance,
Jack

[Richard Neel]

I've never done this but would something like this work?

http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/product...BDB&filter=lid

[Shelley Bolster]

Lee Valley also carries something similar - I used one on my great nephew toy box I made for him. These come in pairs for heavy lids so I am sure they will more than handle the lid you are making. http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/pa...=3,43740,43742

Oh yeah Jack, you might want to change the currency to US funds as the link I just gave you will probably come up with Canadian.

[Wes Bischel]

Jack,

I used the supports listed by Shelley and Richard to update my wife's toy box for our son. I used two, and the lid holds at what ever angle it is placed.

Wes

[Craig Feuerzeig]

http://outwaterhardware.com
try the LID-SDS-C301N . Nice unit, used it many times. Impressive slow close feature with adjustable tension. You couldn't slam it shut if you wanted to. Warning have metric ruler handy.

[Bob Michaels]

Hi Jack, I'm right in the middle of making an heirloom quality toy box out of red oak for our 6 month old grandson. Tomorrow I'm picking up a self balancing lid support from my local WoodCraft store. http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=1040 You use the lid support in addition to the usual piano hinge. These have a hold open feature, but most important, they have a "soft close" feature so the lid doesn't slam on tiny fingers. I also undercut the top of the front panel of the toy box as an extra precaution. Hope this helps.

[Bob Michaels]

Jack, one more thing, there are 3 "sizes" available, depending on the Inch-Pound requirements of the lid. Inch-Pounds = 1/2 the depth of the lid times the weight of the lid.

[Clint Malone]

I used the Rockler ones in this toybox that I made and they work great. As others have said, they come in three different lift amounts, so choose the appropriate ones.

[Jack Hoying]

I used the Rockler ones in this toybox that I made and they work great. As others have said, they come in three different lift amounts, so choose the appropriate ones.

Thanks for everyones advise for the supports.
Clint: That chest is so beautiful! I'd think that you would have to cringe the first time the kids are running their toy cars on the top!
Jack

[Charlie Plesums]

I have used the Rockler hinge, and it is great. This shorter link works, too:
www.rockler.com/ecom7/product_details.cfm?&offerings_id=410

You said your lid was 22 inches wide and weighed 11 1/2 pounds. If the hinge is at the very edge, and your weight is exact, then you need 11 x 11.5 = 126.5 inch-pounds - slightly more than the 95-125 inch-pound range of the larger support. But if you have a one inch overhang at the back, behind the hinge, then the distance from the hinge pin to the center of the lid is 10 inches x 11.5 pounds = 115 inch pounds, well within the capability of a single support. A slight change in weight also might make a difference. If you need more than 125 inch-pounds, simply use two (or three) at the left, center, and right.

[Clint Malone]

Thanks for everyones advise for the supports.
Clint: That chest is so beautiful! I'd think that you would have to cringe the first time the kids are running their toy cars on the top!
Jack

Well, I probably won't see it, it was a gift for my new twin niece and nephew. I fully expect to be refinishing it when they get older.