Walk through any hardware store aisle, and you will see bins of basic steel hinges. Most people see them strictly as functional door hardware. But …
Basic hardware store hinges offer a cheap, heavy-duty starting point for building custom workshop jigs. By modifying standard steel hinges, you can create precision angle finders, secure hold-down clamps, and accurate drill guides. Repurposing these simple mechanisms saves money on specialty equipment while adding highly effective DIY tools to your workbench.