Replies

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Feb 06, 2003 05:01am | #1

   Look at Lee Valley (leevalley.com) at their rare earth magnets.   They sell the magnets, plus cups to mount the magnets and countersunk washers to be the "keeper".   With those, you can put together a clean-looking and strong door catch that is less than 1/2" deep.   Heck, you can even embed the pieces into holes bored in the door and the carcass, and get a magnetic catch that is zero depth. 

2. 
   jgaiennie | Feb 06, 2003 06:53am | #2

   Furthering Jamie's post, there was an article recently (I don't know where but it seems like it was probably FWW - maybe I just read it recently - lol) about four different homemade latch types.  One type was a rare earth magnet that was totally concealed in a cabinet door - in a drilled hole, magnet inside, with a wood plug concealing the magnet.  Clean.  Check it out.  Search "homemade locks" or similar.

   jdg

1. 
   UncleDunc | Feb 06, 2003 10:14am | #3

   >> ... there was an article recently ... about four different homemade latch types.

   FWW #155 page 44

3. 
   Lesterz | Feb 09, 2003 11:35pm | #4

   Thanks to all who responded.

   I picked up some 1/4" x 1/10" rare earth magnets at Lee Valley, and made up my own "latch" made of Oak, to match the rest of the cabinet. I drilled a 1/4" hole in the face if the latch and epoxied the magnet in place. I also drilled a 1/4" hole in the backside of the door, and epoxied a another magnet into this hole. NOTE: You need to be careful to get the polarity on the two magnets right, otherwise the door won't close for love nor money.

   Looks a lot better than the plastic latches you buy, and I have the satisfaction of having made them myself. (with a lttle help from my firends!)

   Les