I am so glad I have the hinges on now! There is only one class left so I wanted to make sure I can finish the box.
On the previous session, I filed one edge of the lid and box in a 45 degree angle leaving just a small piece flat. This is where the hinge will rest. I also created the hinge components by cutting brass tubing and filing the edges in a slight angle. The hinge I made had 5 pieces.
Last night, I started by soldering the hinge to the bottom part of the box. First, I wrapped the box with bailing wire to keep the box together and placed it on top of a kiln brick. Then, I placed the 5 hinge components into a steel wire between the lid and box where I had made the 45 degree angle. I placed flux on the box next to the tubing I wanted to solder (first, third and fifth) and added a tiny piece of easy solder. I warmed up the box first by pointing the flame away from the box and slowly brought it to a vertical position when the flux was clear. When the solder melted I used a pick to spread it beneath the hinge.
Once that side was completed, I cooled the box and cleaned the lid with a knife. I only cleaned the portion that I wanted to solder (sections 2 and 4). I replaced the hinges that were not soldered to the bottom with clean ones and assembled the box again (wrapped the box with bailing wire and put the hinge back together with the new pieces). I applied flux and easy solder to the lid next to hinge sections 2 and 4 and proceeded to soldered the pieces. This time I pointed the flame to the part of the lid that was resting on the brick and got it closer to the top of the box. One the flux was clear, I directed the flame to the solder and spread it with a pick.
After cooling the box, I took the pieces apart and put it in the pickle pot. I am so relieved that it worked!
The final step is to attach the clasp but that will have to wait until next week.
