why smartWare?
[ … it’s the finest premium quality box hardware, that’s why!]
I have been a box maker for 40 years, and for more than a decade I’ve been working to bring the finest possible box hardware to market. Specifically, easy to fit high quality stop hinges that don’t rely on quadrant stays or ugly square knuckles to create the stop. Rather than being marginal upgrades of existing items, all items in the range have been designed from scratch – and the result is smartWare, considered by my loyal users to be the ONLY premium quality box hardware. Hundreds of discerning users across the planet won’t use anything else. See here for some typical feedback … and here for an informal introduction to my world of fine boxes.
Since the introduction of the smartHinge in 2011 I’ve been on a mission to increase the range – this now includes the matching smartLock introduced in 2017 and an important recent addition, the smartButt, the only round knuckle stop butt hinge available.
Click on any of the images above to go direct to the product pages to purchase. If you need to know more, below are brief descriptions of each item, expandable to view the main features, together with a link to a downloadable pdf with a full description.
smartHinge:
smartHinge is the original and best stay-less side-rail box hinge. With a round knuckle and integral 93 degree stop, it’s simply the most elegant, easiest to fit box hinge there is. Introduced in 2011, and with over 22,000 pairs sold to discerning box makers worldwide, it is well tried, tested and trusted … read more
main features:
• no quadrant stay and no ‘L’ shape – a simple, robust 93 degree stop is subtly incorporated into the unique format 3 finger round knuckle
• supports the heaviest of lids
• round ended leaves for easy fitting into routed mortices
• no other box hinge is easier to fit – four passes, screw in place, job done!
• simple, elegant design
• beautifully made and finished in the UK
• available in polished brass, stainless steel and gold-plated
• easiest to fit ‘retrospectively’
• matches smartLock exactly
Some excellent work by regular smartHinge users
download full pdf – opens in a new tab
smartButt:
smartButt: the recently introduced and innovative hinge is the ONLY stop butt hinge with a 93 degree stop incorporated into a fully rounded knuckle. Superbly made and finished in the UK … read more
main features:
a simple, robust, 93 degree stop is subtly incorporated into the innovative round knuckle
therefore no need for a square knuckle
no cleaning up and ‘adapting’ as with so many other hinges
square corners lends itself to fitting with hand tools
simple, elegant design
accurate, consistent dimensions make it super-easy to fit
beautifully made and finished in the UK
available in polished brass, stainless steel and gold-plated
download full pdf – opens in a new tab
smartLock:
smartLock is the original and best high quality box lock. Introduced early in 2017 to be a partner to the already popular smartHinge, it is the only 1/4 turn, ‘live action’, full mortice box lock available … read more
main features:
• beautifully made and finished in the UK
• simple, elegant design
• robust ‘live action’ locking/unlocking
• 1/4 turn to lock/unlock
• secure hook action
• full mortice fitting
• easiest of any full mortice box lock to fit
• simple, elegant key
• available in polished brass, stainless steel and gold-plated
• matches smartHinge perfectly
download full pdf – opens in a new tab
smartWare manufacture, quality, pricing and discounts:
The manufacture of the box hardware I offer, smartWare, is extremely exacting and doesn’t lend itself to mass production. In my search for the highest standards of quality, consistency and supply that I demand for myself and my customers, and despite the temptation to go to the far east, I’ve alway been determined to support British companies. Consequently I’ve worked long and hard with a number of UK manufacturers in my determination to arrive at the superb, sought after hardware that smartWare is today … read more
Following the precision CNC machining of the individual parts from solid brass and stainless steel, there’s much hand work involved to polish and assemble the completed items. This is done in small batches with the utmost care by TMX Engineering Ltd., a small, family-run precision engineering company based in Brandon, Suffolk, UK. Every stage of the process is carefully monitored to maintain the exacting tolerances needed to ensure that smartWare is simply the ultimate box hardware – unrivalled in consistency, finish, quality, design and function.
download full pdf – opens in a new tab
