Laptop Hinge Hack

My laptop screen hinges gave out. I came up with this fix which on this site is the first attempt using hot glue. I ultimately used Gorrila Glue instead...and is holding months later.

Step 1 Get Lid Support

Buy a lid support at a local hardware store. This one is 7.5"...a bit too large for my laptop.

Comments

[nminter]

Your solution bought me a bit more time with my poor laptop before I can get a new system. With the JB Weld, thumbscrew, and the hinge, I paid under $10. I used duct tape to hold things in place while curing. Both of my hinges are busted, and just one holds both sides up nicely. I may or may not get a second to hinge help balance out the weight.

To find a new case and screws for my out-of-warranty model and get it appropriately installed, I could use the time and money spent putting towards a new machine, easily. Thank you SO much for posting this!

[jchudleigh]

That fix looked so cool I did it even with good hinges on my laptop, they should come from the factory looking like that. The laptop sits in the pilot house on my boat so functionality overrides ascetics a big wave can pound a lid closed this way the lid hangs in there even in the big blows.

[xrobevansx]

Maybe Panasonic Toughbooks will be made with this feature. If so I want to get my royalties!

[xrobevansx]

That's awesome! Great application! What kind of boat? Where you out of?

[jchudleigh]

It's an older 100 foot packer. And I'm sending this from the boat.

[sendnfix]

Its probably a lot cheaper to just get the hinge off ebay and go tot he manufacturers website to learn how to swap it. You can also send it to http://www.sendnfix.com they fix laptops

[xrobevansx]

I don't mind you spamming my instructable, but please be honest. There is NO WAY your service is cheaper than my fix.

[awilson-5]

I don't know about "cheaper". A refurbished hinge kit for my HP laptop was about $40. That lid support costs, what, about six bucks?

[nminter]

$2.50 in some areas!

[coffeeShop]

wow .... your idea is original !

[ksurf84]

Just tried this with my Compaq laptop. Seems to be holding. Thanks!

[xrobevansx]

Great to hear another person was able to use my instructable!! THANKS!!!

[Leo!]

Hi there! Here is my solution for a toshiba satellite is in spanish but the pictures can help, if someone want to now something i will answer happily! cheers http://www.taringa.net/posts/taringa/5315562/Reparaci%C3%B3n-bisagras-de-Toshiba-A40_A45.html

[Johndmcc]

I tried to do this hack with my Toshiba A45, but I couldn't get it to sit right. The sides of the keyboard area are angled. And, I couldn't get the hinge far enough over for the lid to close properly. Can you tell me how to go about that?

[xrobevansx]

Try gluing to the keyboard portion of the slider to the more angled side, and bend to align with the lid. Also, you may need to build out the mount for the lid portion of the slider. You could probably use a small bit of wood or plastic.

[usir001]

 
Hi,

I loved your solution. I came up with a solution for a similar problem on my Dell latitude X300, repairing the broken hinge. You can see my solution here (in Spanish, sorry about that):

www.taringa.net/posts/ebooks-tutoriales/5265765/Bisagra-rota-en-notebook-Dell-Latitude-X300.html

The replacement parts are very difficult to find here in Argentina, where I'm from. Hope my solution is useful to someone out there.

[Achan20]

looks really cool. it looks kind of steampunk-ish. you should do the wooden laptop mod along with that hinge. that would look uber cool

[DavidBradbury]

Thanks for the great idea! Just did it myself. Makes it look a bit steam-punk :p Might spray-paint it as well!

[resaw]

Brilliant! Fixed my Toshiba Satellite using this method in about one hour. I used two part, five minute epoxy. Should get me another year or so of use. And we all know the longer you wait to buy a PC, the cheaper and faster they get! And the brass hinge looks pimp against the metallic blue cover. Thanks for the post.

[xrobevansx]

 Resaw- Glad it worked out well for you!  Thanks for the kind words.

[SeaCaptain]

Excellent Instructable! Fixed my lid/screen with this fix. I had a hard time finding a straight slider bracket as the big box stores are selling only curved ones. I did find the straight at ACE hardware but it was a couple of dollars more than the big box stores. Anyway, I tried a few different glues (including epoxy), however, the best was SHOE GLUE. I needed to repair some boots and thought it might work as a glue due to the excellent hold on the repaired boots. Worked great! No more pillows or books to hold up my lid/screen! Thanks for the info!!

[SeaCaptain]

Actually, the glue I used is called SHOE GOO. Works well!

[xrobevansx]

Glad to hear it SeaCaptain! Thanks for the comment!

[hingefix]

WOW! Thats pretty clever...I woulda never thought of that... But that wouldnt of worked with the hinge problem I have on my HP DV9000 laptop. I, like thousands of others are having the left hinge crack from normal use. This is a major problem and HP knows it! I decided to fix it myself because the parts were over $200 and are on back order! I also did not want to go without my computer while it was off being fixed. I hope other people will find this site useful and repair it themselves!www.hingefix.com

[brudge2140]

what do you ask for at hingefix.com?

[Bigdog7]

That looks like just what I need one my truck box lids which no longer stay up. But you might check out Fastfixhinge.com for laptops hinge repairs. They say they can make custom adapters for different models.

[xrobevansx]

30 bucks for one hinge? 50 bucks for 2?? No way, I'll take my 3 dollar fix over them any day!

[chuckhodits]

this REALLY worked. I used JB Weld because I have used this stuff before. The hinges I bought at Lowes for $2.34. I would suggest putting the the screw on piece on the screen first, this gives you something solid to attach to when putting the lid holder on the base of the laptop..

[xrobevansx]

Glad to hear it Chuck! Thanks for the tip!

[colombiancannon]

I tried it and it works perfectly. I went to Home Depot and went searching for the Stanley brand, the sales associate told me they don't carry the Stanley brand, but I found another brand called IVES SCHLAGE (retail price $2.97). I also purchased Gorilla glue name brand($4.97) They had several types of Gorilla glue, so I got the one that said "QUICK CURE, DRIES WHITE" It's in an orange box. I applied the glue to the lid support, the glue dries in 1 hour, leaves a hardened foam texture around the lid support, but it doesn't look bad. My laptop is the Toshiba A45, so the sides are very narrow that curved down to the sides, but I was able to glue the lid in place, put some tape on it , to keep in place. Make sure you don't get the gorilla glue on your screen, the glue is strong and will make a nasty stain that might not disappear. Now I have a screen that stays in place. Thanks XROBEVANSX for this hack and I hope others will try it. I don't really close my laptop, so the glue that I used will probably do the job that I intended it for. SIDE NOTE: The only step that I didn't use was step 5, I didn't have to scuff the area for the glue. The brand I used was strong enough.

[xrobevansx]

Glad to hear it! I am glad to be of service!

[Instigator117]

xrobevansx, what size do you recommend, if 7.5 is too large. I know it depends on the laptop, but I'm not sure what to order for my PowerBook G4 (15 inch) Mac. I have to order the hinge online as my last resort. Friggen Home Depot in my area doesn't have this lid support. Thanks

[xrobevansx]

I would recomment 5-6". Check the small mom & pop hardware stores or look online for "adjustable lid support", here are 2:

http://www.hardwareandtools.com/invt/u284254?ref=gbase
http://www.hardwaresource.com/Store_ViewProducts.asp?Cat=847

[romigreat]

Hi man, I have compaq presarioV5000 series. What size u recommend for me? Please give me the online store link too. Thanks.

[xrobevansx]

I think that is the same basic size as mine, so I'd go with what I used.

[matteatschicken]

This works great! $3.74 was the total cost for the hinge support and a thumb screw. I used some super glue to stick the support on, and there is no visible glue or mess whatsoever. Thanks for the great post!

[xrobevansx]

No problem...glad to help!

[mjshark]

"Notice the luxurious brassness? That's high class."

LOL!

[xrobevansx]

well....it is!

[Instigator117]

I have a PowerBook G4, and I'm pretty sure someone already mentioned that they have crappy hinges. Mine broke.
The Home Depot I went to didn't have the sliding hinge. :(
I went to my local hardware store, and they didn't have it either.

This is a really creative idea though. I would do this to my laptop if HOME DEPOT would have sliding hinges.