I ask the question of the group on what methods were used to cut the seats. I tried a few of them, but the small file seemed to work the best. I use a little jewelers rasp for wax vs one of the metal files. It is more agresive on the balssa. I use a brad point drill with the drill guide to drill the holes. I've had a couple drift just a bit and to get them back in line, I use a Roto Zip 1/8" wood bit in a pin vise and use it as a broach to nudge the hole back in place. The key is to keep the hole as small as possible, but you have to put a flat taper in to get the hinge deep enough. It all looked quite intimindating at first, but once I got the work in my head, it goes quite fast. I looked at using a cone shapped bur to cut in the taper, but that cuts an oversize hole. The small barrette file is the best way to go. It gives the best seat, support all the way to the hinge line.

As for drilling out a broken hinge, I would be more inclined to cut them flush and move the hinge a 1/4" away. New wood, and with the exception of the little notch in the LE, it would be good as new. I've used this method with the flat pinned hinges, but there you usually have to move them an inch or more to get fresh wood.

Don