Thread: But there's no catch...

Michael

How about something like this?
Box Jewelry Case Spring Loaded Silver Tone Draw Toggle Latch | eBay

Silver Tone Metal Spring Loaded Cases Boxes Chest Toggle Catch Lacth Qhihz | eBay

4 Pcs Hardware Cabinet Boxes Spring Loaded Latch Catch Toggle Hasp | eBay

2 Pcs Silver Tone Metal Spring Loaded Cases Boxes Chest Toggle Catch Lacth | eBay

Chests Cases Silver Tone Spring Loaded Toggle Latch Catch Hasp | eBay

These might be a bit exxy if you have a few cases to make though.
I can't find anything for those little flat brass latches that pivot on a screw and the tapered bit engages with another screw in the lid. (Bit hard to describe them) I wouldn't mind getting a few of those myself to repair a couple of cases I have.

bollie7

Michael and Bollie,

A search for jewellery box catch revealed a pretty thin selection. Here's one - Jewellery Box Case Catch Clip Plain Brassed (size L) | eBay

But a search for box latch and also box catch on Ebay UK provides numerous options. There are even the old Cheney latches - Case Clip Latch Catch 60mm NP Chests Boxes Cases | eBay

MG, Let us know what you end up with. And with your boxes, how are you joining the corners? Traditional finger joints?

BT

Catches - Veneer Inlay

A few from my collection ...

G'Day Fellas,
Having an aversion to woodworking I recycled a couple of manicure set cases (2 for $1.00 at the trash & treasure), the lining is a high density foam mouse mat.
Regards,
Martincs1.JPG

Finger joints? I wish I was that precise. Boxes like this made in my shed get either a mitre or a joint like this -
P1010532 (Medium).JPGP1010533 (Medium).JPG

I found a few catch places that might be worth looking at -
cupboards and kitchens fittings, Architectural Ironmongery, SDS London
Stainless Steel Drawer Slides, Hinges, Knobs, Catches, Latches, Lid Stays, Handles-Architectural Hardware by Sugatsune
Including the ones that I think bollie was trying to describe.
One of the issues is height - I don't have much. A Mitutoyo box I would like to match is only 40mm high. I'd really like to get some sliding catches like on this Starrett box but I don't think they have been made for ages.

P1010530 (Medium).JPGP1010531 (Medium).JPG


Michael

If you want that clean look, use a couple of disk magnets embedded and glued into the woodwork.

You'll probably then need to provide a couple of finger recesses so you can pry the lid open.

Ken

Have a look here Wood N Workshop - Pen Kits - Timber & Turning Supplies - Felder - Bruce Haggie

Another vote for magnets. They are cheap and they give a nice clean look to your boxes. Make sure you use fairly weak ones or you'll need dynamite to get the box open.

Have a look at marine shops. I had a cat n dog from Whitfords some years ago. A lot of good stuff in it. Not cheap tho.

Dean

Originally Posted by neksmerj

If you want that clean look, use a couple of disk magnets embedded and glued into the woodwork.

You'll probably then need to provide a couple of finger recesses so you can pry the lid open.

Ken

Hobbyking sell bags of 12 small neodmmnnnm magnets for next to nothing.....not sure if they stock them in Oz. They are about 8mm in diam (don't quote me...)
Postage is a bit slow though.....

I got a bit impatient last weekend and not trusting myself to cut metal without stuff up, started doing the boxes. I lucked out in that the piece of timber I pulled out of the scrap bin was a piece of teak I think. A bit of clean up and it was beautiful. Joints were the notched type I mentioned before. After BT's question I almost made up a finger jointing jig for the table saw but decided that was a lot of work for less than 350mm of joint. Attaching the plywood tops was done with glue and a Powershot staple gun that will also shoot 14mm brads. That's another one of those tools that turns out to be more useful than first thought (originally bought to do fly screens).
I briefly thought about magnets for catches but they attract swarf and they can spring apart if bumped/ dropped. I found these (in 2 sizes) listed as canteen catches (originally for cutlery canteens I guess). They came from a WA company called Timbecon. Price was reasonable and delivery although pricey was within 2 days. Quality is reasonable. Better would be nicer but I don't think it exists (at less than $2 each, who would spend the money?) I bought several so I can repair some other cases I have too.

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Michael

Perhaps make some as shown in Guy Lautard's book The Machinists Bedside Reader (vol 1, i think)

It is a machined rotary latch. Looks like a knurled knob (like a machine tool dial). Turn to lock/unlock.

Google "lautard latch"

If you cant find the drawings, I could copy them for you. If that is allowed here.

Thanks Charles. I didn't want to do anything as sophisticated, hence the canteen latches. You did remind me to check Guy's site though. TMBR4 is still not out yet!

Michael