How can I make liftable lids on an 8020 box?

I built my own 8020/Goose Gear style bed box a few years back. So far, so good. I'm going to make a few changes to it. One thing I'd like to do is make the side "wings" as I like to call it, be able to lift and close.

Link to original posting on the box: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/extruded-aluminum-and-plywood-bed-box.715843/

I'd like the "wings" to lift up similar to this:

https://solidwoodworx.com/products/3rd-gen-wheel-well-cubby-templates

HOWEVER, since I'm using aluminum extrusion instead of wood for the bones of the box, this is a bit of a taller order. I'd also like everything on top to remain flush, so, a simple piano-style long hinge won't work (see the original posting for pics). I've looked at mounting 110 and 170-degree cabinet hinges on the underside of one of the aluminum railings, in this case, the dark blue horizontal piece (red arrow in the pic below). But the ones I have won't work. I'm looking for ideas on a way to have the wings swing up so I can access that space behind the wheel well.

Thanks, TW!

 

I like these compression latches, with one in every corner and support from underneath you probably wouldn't need hinges and could open from any side. Could countersink them slightly to be flat.

$19 WJSKDQ 2PCS Compression Latch Lock Powder Coated Zinc Alloy Adjustable Lever Hand Operated Flush Lever Marine Applicable Door Thickness: 0.04"-0.94" Grip Range

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0861X5VZ2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

A recent find is these custom sized double offset piano hinges which you can mount from the underside. Just size them such that the interdigitated section of the hinge doesn't protrude past the top surface. I just got an order from these guys and was impressed with the delivery time of 4 days after order. Would probably have to bevel the non-hinge side to clear, but it could work.

https://tbnation.net/products/offset-hinges

 

interesting idea. i can find a few conceptual 3d printed ideas for such an item, but i wouldn't really consider those feasible due to the plastic nature..

i like the above offset hinge option for simplicity. but the hinge will be naturally visible, even if it's flush, which i believe you're attempting to avoid.

the following is me just closing my eyes and jumping down the google image search rabbit hole:

i believe this method is what you're saying won't work, right?
https://ourkaravan.com/attaching-cabinet-hardware-to-8020/


one option that pops up, could be what i would call 'the nuclear option'
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256802985795211.html

this popped up on pinterest of all places, it looks to be a more unique 'hinge that's not a hinge' sort of design that would still be exposed the same as the offset hinge option, but not appear as out of place, or have as obvious of a function. but i also don't see a method to ordering it...
https://www.pastorelombardi.com/eng/hinges/081317202


there's also something like these trap door hinges

$14 2 Pieces of Trapdoor Hinges, Hidden Doors, Piano Hinges, Folding Cabinet Doors, Wardrobe Doors, Clamshell Support Hinges

https://www.amazon.com/Trapdoor-Folding-Cabinet-Wardrobe-Clamshell/dp/B09L544BR9

or, in marine use, these are called 'hatch hinges'
https://www.marinedepotdirect.com/long-reach-stainless-hatch-hinge.html

there's really a few dozen different styles of hatch hinges.
https://www.eddiemarine.com/product-p/149-12.htm

disadvantage is that they're all marine-based, so they're all somewhat expensive. but advantage is that they're all mostly designed for high end yacht's, so their form/function is extremely well made.

and the last option i'm seeing is something that's much more bulky and internally-obtrusive like this

$16 Extending Angle Max 80 Degree, Concealed Steel Lift up Spring Hinge Jig, Overlay Cabinet Door Hinges (2-Pack), Flush Cabinet Hinges Cabinet Cupboard Door Hinges, Heavy Duty Steel, Silver

https://www.amazon.com/Extending-Concealed-Overlay-Cabinet-Cupboard/dp/B08SCCCX3P

 

Appreciate these, the offset hinge in particular is interesting. I have two of these compression latches in action right now. If push comes to shove and I can't get a hinge option to work, I'll fashion some hatches on the side (like in my original sketchup design). But my woodworking skills are pretty rudimentary, and I had to resort to using little metal brackets from Home Depot to support the lid of the hatches I already have. I'm not crazy about them, but since I can't make rabbett cuts (or whatever they're called) yet, I have to resort to using them. I figured 2-3 hinges per side would be a faster option.

 

Thanks for all of these, I'll research them. I wish there was a place I could go and test them all out before buying! I must have already spent $100 on various hinges since starting this project in 2020.. Or if there were only more videos out there that show them in actual use. Maybe there's a marine store here in Houston that has some on display.

Thanks for the ideas!

 

if you have a circular saw, you actually can, it's just really time consuming.

almost all circular saws have an attachment point up in front of the blade for a guide like this.

$24 49-22-1005 Rip Fence Guide Fits for Milwaukee m18 cordless saw & 2730-20 2730-21 Circular Saw

https://www.amazon.com/49-22-1005-Milwaukee-cordless-2730-20-Circular/dp/B0CH852Z9R

by setting the blade shallow, and adjusting that guide to keep the blade at a specific location, the blade cuts 1/8" at a time, or you can go 1/2" at a time, and break out the middle sections between cuts.

i've used the technique a few times, because using even a whole saturday is cheaper and more space-efficient to me than buying a table saw, and a dado blade i'm only going to use a couple times

 

So I think the "easiest" thing to do will be to just add a few vertical posts on the sides (gray double-wide pieces in the screenshots) and bolt on the lazy-susan style 170-degree hinges to that. Either that or get some of these marine long-reach hinges posted above.

Although, my father-in-laws friend has a super duper CNC machine, and I might swing by there tomorrow to see what he thinks. He makes cabinets and such as a side-hustle. Maybe he will suggest a hatch, and since he has a CNC machine, maybe he can knock them out quicker than I can cut them myself.

 

How much weight per concealed cabinet hinge like that do you guys design for?

 

Not sure, the doors or "Wings" as I all them won't weigh much. Maybe a pound or two. Plus, I have the far sides resting on the factory bed side/wheel wells. I've had some decent weight on them in the past, various gear, some cinder blocks, bags of pea gravel, rocks, etc. No issue. Not sure about with the cabinet hardware, but the idea will be for the weight to continue to rest on the wheel well side.

 

^i think that would be a good way to go

really shouldn't matter-- with a 270 degree or similar hinge, it's creating a phantom pivot point just outside the face of the door. he should be able to leave his current solid mounting supports in place, so the hinge would only be carrying weight when the door is actuating.

 

Agreed without weight those concealed hinges are nice. Especially if you get the soft close ones with quick detach face. I finally bought an adjustable jig from Rockler for doing a bunch of them and should have tried that sooner for seeking soft close perfection.

That double inset piano hinge turned out to be easy to spray paint without binding it up. I got that for more strength where it mattered.