Concealed Hinges: Elegance & Functionality Combined!

Polmac (UK) Ltd supplies a large number of customized, wood presentation boxes with hinged lids that are beautifully made, versatile and terrific value.

We use many types of hinges ... large, small, plain and decorative, made from different materials and finishes.

Polmac Ironmongery Showing Round, Concealed Metal Hinges

However, the most popular hinges are made from pressed, sheet steel with a brass, or nickel plated finish, as they are elegant, durable and economical.

Hinges with a special black, or bronze finish, as well as solid, polished brass hinges are also used where specified, although they are more expensive.

Brass and nickel plating on metal hinges is used primarily as a decorative finish but does also provide excellent wear and corrosion resistance.

Hinges must always perform one important function: To secure the lid to the base of the box and allow it to be opened and closed smoothly along a hinged axis, in perfect alignment

No matter what type of hinges are used, they must also enhance the visual appearance of the finished wood boxes. We therefore use special 'concealed' metal hinges as standard, unless otherwise specified.

These hinges are supplied round, hexagonal, or rectilinear in shape and are fixed at the back of the wooden boxes, where only the narrow knuckles are visible, on the outside and the inside, providing a visually appealing, 'clean' look. 

The two flanges of the concealed hinges can be a smooth finish, or have raised 'prongs' in the surface, to increase resistance to extraction.

The fixing process is as follows ...

Firstly, two thin slots are cut into the ends of the base and side panels at their intersection, ready for the hinges to be inserted.

Secondly, the ends of the side panels are cut full length at 45 degrees to each other, creating an overall 90 degree joint. This is a special 'stop feature' which restrains the lid at the vertical position when opened and prevents damage to the hinges.

The hinges are then inserted into the slots and the fixing positions pre-drilled. Special serrated, 'disappearing' pins are then inserted and carefully hammered home.

For small, wooden boxes 6 - 8 mm serrated pins are very effective and these are hammered at a slight angle, to provide a secure and permanent fixing.

The pin holes are then filled with wooden plugs and sanded off, for a smooth, even finish.

http://www.polmacuk.com

Corrugated Metal Strip Inlay Decorations!

Many Polmac, custom made, wooden boxes are decorated using traditional methods, to create visually stunning, decorative designs and effects.

Corrugated, metal strip inlay is a special technique for decorated wooden boxes, that uses flexible, thin gauge, corrugated, or plain brass or nickel plated metal strips, as lines to create patterns, shapes, decorative motifs and borders. 

 

This type of decoration is often used in combination with other techniques, such as pyrography and hand carving, to create original, decorative effects!. 

 

Cutting Grooves Around the Pattern / Design 

The technique comprises three stages…

1/ Creating a design, or pattern on the wooden box.
2/ Using a special tool to cut thin slots around the design.
3/ Applying the corrugated strips.

Once the design or pattern is agreed, it is carefully transferred onto the lid and / or the sides of the wood boxes. This is often done by hand using pre-printed patterns on special see-through paper, similar to tracing paper.

 

Inserting Corrugated Metal Strips Into Pre-Formed Grooves

A pin is then used to apply tiny pin pricks through the paper, to ‘trace’ out the design. However, if the design is simple, or a particular one-off, artistic effect is required, the design can also be drawn using the sharp point of a pencil  

Thin grooves are then carefully cut into the wood around the design, to the depth of the corrugated metal strip using a special, hand held tool, which looks like a cross between a hand carving tool and a chisel.

 

These tools have a range of special cutting edges that can create different shaped lines, such as  curves, circles, straight lines etc.

 

Removing Excess Metal Strip

The metal strips are then tapped into the grooves, flush with the surface of the wood. This process requires the crafts person to wear a metal 'sewing' thimble at the end of their finger, to prevent being cut by the thin gauge, corrugated metal strips.

 

Any excess strip is cut off and the raised edges ‘sanded’ off, on a special sanding machine, to provide a flush, even finish on the wood surface.

 

Polmac Wooden Boxes With Metal Strip Inlay Design

Once the metal inlay process is complete the design can be decorated with multi-coloured, or natural wood stains and/ or block colours, to provide that all important finishing touch!  

http://www.polmacuk.com

Fly Fishing: A Game Of Deception!

Artificial 'flies' are used by anglers when fly fishing, to catch fish. Flies are also described as 'tackle' which means 'apparatus for fishing' and this term has been around since 1398 AD.

Fly fishermen use hand tied flies which they keep in special fly boxes for protection, as they are fragile and can be expensive to replace. 

The flies resemble actual flies or 'lures' and are designed to entice the fish to bite on the fly. This is why there are multi-coloured flies, of various shapes, sizes and designs.

Fly Fishing

Once the fly or 'lure' is attached to the special weighted line, it is cast into the water using a fly rod and reel. This requires special skills and techniques that are different from other forms of casting.

Fly fishing can take place in fresh or salt water. You do however, need to decide what type of fly fishing you wish to do and then learn about the flies that can help you catch your fish.

If you just play it by ear, you could be fishing for a very long time before you catch anything.

In Britain, where there is less variation in water temperature, fly fishing is differentiated as 'game fishing' for trout and salmon and 'coarse fishing' for other species.

Fly fishing in different habitats means that the fly hooks used will vary, depending on the kind of fish you wish to catch.

Freshwater fly fishing doesn't have to be complicated though, so if you're a beginner there's no need to buy an over sized fly box and stuff it full of flies.

Polmac (UK) Ltd Single & 2-Tier Fly Boxes

Polmac (UK) Ltd supplies custom made, wood fly boxes, finished with a special water-proof, clear lacquer finish and supplied with internal, rigid foam inserts to protect even the most delicate of flies.

They're beautifully made, versatile and terrific value and are supplied as single and 2-tier fly boxes, to provide maximum flexibility for every angler!

Polmac fly boxes can also be overprinted with special text or logos, if a more personalized, branded finish is required.

http://www.polmacuk.com