Proud Of). Is There A Trick?

Q: I have built a small box (think 12"x6"x4"), and I want to put two hinges and a small lock on it. I had no problem finding hinges about the right size. Looking at the thing (having cut the top off in the recommended way), it isn't entirely clear to me how one goes about getting the hinges lined up so the top and bottom are aligned correctly. This is made doubly hard by the mortises I will need to cut (2 on the top and 2 on the bottom). I thought about using tape as a temporary hinge to get the alignment, but I'm not sure it would be strong enough to be useful, and I'm hesitant about leaving sticky residue on my box (which I'm quite proud of). Is there a trick? Is there a reference someone can recommend?

A: Use a piece of 2 sided carpet tape. Set the hinges in position on the box, before mortising. Mark holes, center punch, using a finish nail, which has

been sharpened to a point on a grinder. Drill pilot holes on box part only. Mortise box only. Install hinge, box side only. Then cover free half of hinge (the part that will be facing the top) with 2 sided tape. Set cover in position carefully but tightly, turn the box over, so you can open it without bumming up position. Using sharp nail, mark location of 2 screw holes for each hinge. Remove hinge, tape, mortise and install. The previous poster had it right, take the time to drill pilots, use steel screws to drill primary holes. You should try making very accurate measurments, all fron the centerline of the box back toward the edges.