Counterbalance hinges?

[Garnett13]

I want to build a drop-down desk. The best way I could describe it would be a large cassette case mounted on the wall!

Can anyone suggest some hinges I could use to ideally offer some counterbalance to the weight of the desk?

 

[foxhole]

Hinges offer no counterbalance, locking hinges would hold the flap top firmly if that's what you require.
http://www.hardwaresource.com/hinges/furniture-hinges/table-hinges-shelf-hinges/

 

[Garnett13]

Hi. Thanks for your info. I think my terminology was wrong.

I'm after a hinge that offers resistance to the effect of gravity, but ideally it would also stop the desk from coming down past horizontal.

 

[Doggit]

You want cabinet hinge stays

 

[chappers]

you would want some pretty beefy ones for a desk. I would be more inclined to build some legs that fold down when the desk is open, and fold flat back into the surface when the desk is folded up. I suppose consideration should be given to whether it is mostly going to be up or down

 

[r896neo]

A gas strut might work. Although the strength concern chappers mooted is definaetly relevant for a desk

 

[r896neo]

If you wanted to be really fancy then sash pulleys with appropriate weights would be a lovely way to do it.