Expert: Eileen Cronk - 1/20/2012

Question
QUESTION: I am condsidering purchasing an antique cabinet, but one of the doors is off.  It has a "hinge pin" type hinge as described in a January 2009 question to you (complete with pictues).  All of the hardware pieces are there.  How do you get the door back on?  Is there a trick?

ANSWER: Hi Penny
Nice to hear from you.
I could not find the question you referenced but a hinge pin is a hinge pin LOL.
So if both parts of the hinge are there, one part on the door, one part on the cabinet and if it has the hinge pin, you should be fine to purchase the unit.
Sometimes it takes two people to get the door back on. One lining up the door and another to insert the pin.
Now I'm thinking (and you said you had all the pieces),that the pin must be in one side of the hinge..correct?
Simply remove the pin from the hinge, line up the door hinge section to the unit hinge section.
This can be tricky but you can do it. Then insert the pin through the holes of both sections of hinge.
Penny if I've missed the mark on the hinge type here send me the previous question to clarify.
Kind Regards
Eileen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Eileen!  Pictures are on your response dated 1/7/2009 related to an Armoire door.  Maybe I am not calling it the correct name.  The pins are in the top and bottom of the door and the hardware to attach them is in the top and bottom of the door casing. The door actually pivots on the pins (or pegs?) I am thinking it may require taking the top trim piece between the door and the drawer above off, or somehow loosen the cabinet enough to slip the door back in.  I have attached a picture of the cabinet, but the detail of how the hinges look can be found on your 1/7/2009 question.

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Penny
Thanks for the clarification.
If the pins are in the proper place, putting the doors on is easy.
One of the pins will depress flush with door.
Lets say its the top one.
Simply insert the bottom pin into the corresponding hole on the unit bottom.
Depress the upper hinge pin and wiggle it into the hole on the top.
This is easy once you get the knack. Closet doors are still made that way today.
Sorry I was confused LOL..its an age thing.
Kind Regards
Eileen