Hinges - an introduction
A hinge can be defined as a mechanism allowing a door, gate or lid to swing on a fixed point or post. Early doors would open on pivot points or sockets but it was not until the skills of the metalworker allowed the manufacture of more precise mechanisms that could be affixed to the surfaces of the door and post that hinges as we know them today appeared about 3500 years ago. They were far more versatile, allowing better flush mounting and easier replacement or repair of the door. As such, they were first considered a luxury and would invariably be found on official buildings or places of worship.
Most hinges feature plate bent around a mandrel to form loops. The plate can be split and drawn out to form two or three loops that will interlock with another set of loops around a pin, one or both ends of which can be flattened. In Europe, the backs of the loops aren’t normally welded together as the thickness of the hand-forged metal is generally enough to cope with the anticipated load. The plates can be shaped or filed into various shapes with different load-bearing characteristics or decorative qualities. The plates are then punched with holes for the mounting nails or screws.
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