New mirrored door latches

[dayle1]

The factory wardrobe latch broke earlier this year. So I bought the black SEA latch. First time I used it, the tabs on the lever broke. Didn’t like any of the other solutions I could find on the forums, so started thinking. My solution uses a modified hinge and magnet. When not in use, the magnet holds the latch closed and it only sticks out 3/8 of an inch vs. 1-1/2 inches for both of the other latches. Nothing to catch clothes or body parts.

I used a window shutter hinge (Lowes, pkg of 4 less than $5), cut most of the angle off, leaving a small lip. Also, pulled the hinge pin and reversed the other side of the hinge. Then attached a flat magnet just below the lip using two pop rivets and finally dipped it in rubber coating. The first picture shows the stock hinge, modified hinge and completed latch. The second picture shows the installed latch.





When it is time to latch the wardrobe door, all that is needed is to open the hinge and then close the door. The magnet automatically closes the latch and the lip captures the edge of the door. The attached video clip shows the operation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfT1pq33TPE

Now I need to fill the old screw holes and try to repair the damage to the door frame from the original latch.

[Ray,IN]

There's American ingenuity at work again! Thanks for the pictures and instructions.

[RJay]

Very nice! One last thing that has to be check before you hit the road.

[dayle1]

Since I had two hinges left over, I decided to try a different type of magnet. The ones used for name badges with two round magnets on a thin metal plate. EZ to drill a hole thru the plate and attach it to the hinge with a single pop rivet. Took less than an hour to make them. Just waiting for the rubber coating to dry, then I can see if they latch automatically as well as the other magnets.

[Lewisclan]

nice work man