LaDeau Manufacturing’s steel piano hinges are made in the USA from cold rolled steel in an ISO-Certified environment; and nowhere in the world will our Michigan clientele find stronger, more durable, metal-stamped piano hinges that can stand up to extreme use and abuse! LaDeau’s steel piano hinges are manufactured with the same equipment used to …

At LaDeau Manufacturing, we are globally recognized for our robust aluminum, stainless steel, and steel piano hinges, which are fabricated using the same equipment used to craft the very-precise MS20257 Mil-Spec hinges. Original equipment manufacturers in the US, and around the world, place their faith in the quality of LaDeau’s piano hinges to meet their …

LaDeau Manufacturing is extremely proud of its 70+ years of expertise, and our history dates back to our founders’ WWII service with Lockheed Corporation. Once the war ended, LaDeau Manufacturing emerged as an independent entity specializing in the fabrication of hinge assemblies for the post-war aircraft industry. LaDeau Manufacturing, a California-based company, has manufactured and …

All things “hinges” is what LaDeau Manufacturing is known for. With more than 70 years of expertise, we can go back to our founders’ war-time service with Lockheed Corporation. It was after WWII however, when newly-established LaDeau Manufacturing focused on hinge assemblies for the post-war aircraft industry. Since 1946, our California-based company has fabricated and …

Continuous hinges are synonymous with piano hinges, whose original use was to support the weight of heavy piano lids – hence the name. The ‘piano hinge’ term evolved in some circles to ‘continuous hinge’ to more appropriately reflect the myriad of uses that piano/continuous hinges offer. Continuous hinges can be embedded onto doors for panels, …

Piano hinges and continuous hinges are different labels for the same item – noticeably longer-length hinges that offer impressive strength and endurance. From piano lids to livestock gates to solar panels on satellites, it is piano hinges – whether 2 meters in length or more – which are used throughout the world, as well as …

Continuous hinges also go by the name ‘piano hinges’, and this type of hinge is known for its robust strength and durability. Continuous hinges distribute weight and stress in a uniform fashion, which allows minimal strain on the object to which the hinge is attached. Military equipment, hospital O.R. doors, and agricultural gates represent only …

The labels ‘piano’ hinge and ‘continuous’ hinge are interchangeable. The term ‘piano’ hinge was used originally to reference the elongated, durable hinges that were attached to piano lids. The multi-functionality of piano hinges was quickly realized. Today, this type of hinge is embedded in everything from military vehicles, to livestock gates, to storage compartments in …

Continuous hinges are also known as piano hinges; and due to their extended length, they can defy extreme use and abuse. Continuous hinges distribute weight and stress uniformly, which minimizes the strain on any component the hinge may be attached to – this would include doors and lids on military vehicles, machine doors, industrial doors …

Piano hinges are referred to as continuous hinges – both labels being one and the same. The name ‘piano’ hinge is derived from the original use of this type of hinge, to secure very heavy piano lids. Today, piano hinges are cut to virtually any length to suit any need; and they remain the ‘go-to’ …

Continuous hinges are synonymous with what are also called piano hinges; and regardless of label, continuous hinges can withstand a great deal of use and abuse. They evenly distribute weight throughout the entire length of the hinge and are often fabricated in lengths of 6 feet or more. Security entrance doors, desk tops, cabinet doors, …

Piano hinges also go by another name, continuous hinges. This type of hinge is often manufactured in much longer lengths to accommodate items that require maximized strength and support such as heavy doors and gates. Piano hinges can be 6 feet in length, and longer. LaDeau Manufactuting – Serving The Lone Star State Excellence in …

Continuous hinges are also known as piano hinges. Because of their length, continuous hinges can withstand a great deal of wear and abuse. They are able to distribute weight and stress in a uniform fashion, thereby minimizing stress on any component the hinge may be attached to. Applications can include a security entrance door, desk …

Spring-loaded hinges offer the ultimate convenience when it comes to controlling the movement of lids or doors. Spring-loaded hinges differ from more-traditional hinges in that they are designed with embedded springs which regulate the movement of everything from solar panels on satellites to smoke-rated ICU/CCU door systems, to the ‘arms’ (aka: ‘temples’) on eyeglasses, and …

Spring-loaded hinges differ from other hinges due to being equipped with springs designed to assist or impede door or lid movement. The energy in the spring allows these hinges to provide more functionality than standard hinges since doors can be counted on to return to their closed position (without slamming) after being opened; and spring-loaded …

Spring-loaded hinges provide added functionality any place where doors, lids, or panels are intended to be held open, on their own, and automatically return to their closed positions, or remain in the opened position. Spring-loaded hinges utilize an embedded spring in the hinge cylinder which allows for adaptive movements. The mechanism inside the hinge can …

Continuous hinges are synonymous with what are called ‘piano’ hinges and are, more often than not, long in length to provide maximized, uniform support along the entire length of the object the hinge supports – this could include an entry door, desk top, cabinet door and thousands of other uses. LaDeau Manufacturing offers robust, steel …

Piano hinges, also known as continuous hinges, are typically manufactured in longer lengths to provide optimal support along the entire length of the device the hinge supports. At LaDeau Manufacturing, our top-quality, steel piano hinges, stainless steel piano hinges, and aluminum piano hinges are fabricated by the same equipment used to manufacture the extremely-precise MS20257 …

Custom hinges serve as the ideal connection solution for any product that demands unique, functional requirements. At LaDeau Manufacturing, we fabricate custom hinges to precisely accommodate applications that range from military vehicles to food-service equipment. Also, custom hinges from LaDeau are utilized by domestic and international original-equipment manufacturers. Be prepared to be surprised with the …

Thousands of years ago, hinges were fabricated by blacksmiths who labored over firey crucibles, painstakingly forging them, one at a time. Fortunately, the days of creating one hinge at a time have been replaced by machinery and technology that allow for hinges to be produced en masse to accommodate the needs and demands of a …

Hinges have been in existence for many thousands of years – from being utilized on gigantic gates that enclosed the ancient biblical city of Jerusalem to being used in the farthest reaches of space to enable solar panels to open and close. Cultures around the world, without exception, would never have evolved as they have …

There are numerous situations where it is either convenient or vital for a door to shut automatically – kitchen cabinet doors and ER doors in hospitals, to name only two.  Auto-shut doors are equipped with spring-loaded hinges which can be adjusted with varying degrees of tension to ‘tailor-fit’ the need.  Fire-resistant service doors that open …

Industrial hinges are used in settings where hinge strength is crucial.  Industrial-grade hinges cater to demanding environments where weight, stress and high-frequency-usage is placed on a hinge joint.  Available in a wide variety of styles and materials, industrial hinges take on many designs including strap, concealed, pivot, spring, weld-on, butt, and more.  As mentioned, these …

The term ‘Mil-Spec’, as it applies to hinges, is an abbreviation for ‘Military Specification’. The abbreviation is also synonymous with military standard hinges that are typically manufactured for the U.S. Department of Defense. End users could also include prime government contractors and subcontractors.  Other labels that denote Mil-Spec hinges would be: M.S., MIL-STD, or MilSpec.  …

Hinges have been in existence for thousands of years.  Some of the earliest hinges date back to ancient civilizations, which used massive wood-and-stone hinge configurations to generate the movement of gigantic wooden doors.  If we fast forward about 6,000 years to now- we have sci-fi types of hinges used by NASA and the military which …

Aluminum hinges play a vital role in every niche of our society. They are lightweight and strong, making them prime candidates for aerospace and transportation applications; commercially and militarily.  Aluminum hinges are also corrosion-resistant, making them ideal for usage in marine, food, and outdoor environments or any application where stainless steel might not be the …

Like most Mil-Spec components, substantial information can be gleaned from the MS20257 part number. However, reading and interpreting MS20257 Hinge part numbers can be somewhat confusing. Here we aim to dispel some of this confusion, in a concise format.   MS20257 part numbers always begin with the Base Number, “MS20257”. After the Base Number, things …

Hinges have a very ancient history. And though it is not known how many thousands of years hinges have served societies throughout antiquity, we do know one thing for sure:  the world as we know it would not function without hinges.  Hinges move doors, lids, gates, panels, shutters or other objects that must turn, swing, …

Hinges have been in use for many thousands of years; and during days of old, military applications for the hinge were vital in order to overpower one’s foe.  Case in point:  It was the Greeks who were the brainchild behind one war machine in particular called the catapult, which is considered the forerunner to modernized …

Not all hinge manufacturers are created equal; and it’s important to know some key pieces of information regarding a hinge manufacturer’s quality of craftsmanship as well as its dedication towards maintaining the highest level of customer satisfaction.   Here are a few questions you should ask any hinge manufacturer:   1: Are you ISO-9001: 2015 …

Though the exact origin of hinges remains unclear, we do know that hinges have been used as early as 5000 BC.  The evolution of hinges is nothing short of astounding when one considers every corner of today’s world quite literally relies on the vast array of hinges to meet the functional needs of countless applications ranging …

We live in a wonderful world of hinges which allows for the movement of everything from solar panels on space-craft to lids on music boxes and millions of other items, in-between.  Hinges have been in use for thousands of years and have evolved from very simplistic to extremely specialized – used in areas of aerospace, …

Just what exactly are MS20257 hinges? MS20257 hinges are fully-defined on the specifications available here, and are summarized as follows; MS20257 Hinges are tremendously precise and reliable piano hinges often utilized in the aerospace, defense, transportation, healthcare, and electronics industries, as well as countless other demanding industries and applications. MS20257 are not to be confused …

The technological advances of industrialized societies throughout the world are nothing short of astounding; and to think that without various types of hinges, much of what we do or use everyday would absolutely cease.   Whether it is aeronautical hinges that allow the flaps on an airplane to function, or the use of more simplistic …

Deciphering MS20253 Hinge Pin part numbers may seem confusing at first, but with a little background it is relatively straightforward. Here we take a concise look at how to read an MS20253 part number, which completely defines all physical attributes of each hinge pin.   All MS20253 part numbers begin with the Base Number, “MS20253”. …

Though the exact origin of hinges remains unclear, we do know that hinges have been used since, or before, 5000 BC. The evolution of hinges is nothing short of astounding when one considers every corner of today’s world, quite literally, relies on the vast array of hinges to meet the functional needs of countless applications …

Would you believe hinges have been used throughout human history for so long, that archaeologists are not able to precisely determine the hinge’s origin? What we do know is that simple metal hinges were utilized as far back as 5,500 years ago. Some of the earliest hinges, prior to metallurgy, were crafted from wood and …

Vast arrays of different types of hinges exist. Each type of hinge is designed for a distinct purpose which will take into account the hinges: style, size, strength and aesthetics. Piano hinge’s, also known as ‘continuous hinges’, represent one of the many types of hinges where 6, 7, and 8-foot lengths are not uncommon. One …

Piano hinges are generally manufactured in long lengths, which is advantageous for providing support along the entire length of the rotational device the hinge supports, or for simply stocking a desired quantity of hinge locally, that can be pulled from stock, cut-to-length, and installed piecemeal as needed. Piano hinges are usually simple by design- flat, …

ISO 9001 is the world’s most recognized quality-management system for any organization, regardless of size and irrespective of an organization’s field of activity.  ISO (International Standards Organization) develops and publishes International Standards.  ISO-9001 highlights four main components: Quality planning Quality assurance Quality control, and Quality improvement Those four targets address many, more specific areas such as: Quality …

Hinges are used for many simple things. Hinges for kitchen cabinets, doors, piano lids and countless other items are certainly important, but some hinges are designed for roles that are a bit off the beaten path.  They are not just specialized hinges, they are highly specialized hinges. These hinges could be considered unsung heroes in our everyday world; hinges often overlooked, …

      It’s quite interesting how many varied roles hinges play in the aerospace arena – more than most people, probably, realize.  The label ‘aerospace hinge’ is actually a general heading that incorporates an array of specialty hinges geared for respective aerospace applications.  Those applications can be embedded in commercial, military and NASA-related projects, and run …

Just what exactly are MS20253 Pins? The MS20253 family of pins are specifically designed, and fabricated as hinge pins. They are not specified for use in actuation, or as dowel pins, cotter pins, or clevis pins. The MS20253 Hinge Pin was designed specifically to provide for an exacting “backbone” in Mil-Spec Hinge assemblies. The MS20253 …

We are very proud to welcome all of our customers to the brand-new ladeau.com! Easier on the eyes, simpler to navigate, and of course- still the most complete and reliable source of information on sourcing Mil-Spec and custom industrial hinges. We appreciate your patience through our transition, and look forward to providing an enhanced experience …