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Magnetic door catches

JTC1 | Posted in General Discussion on February 28, 2007 07:00am

I am in the design phase of several closets for a customer.  There is a leftover room adjacent to a new master bath and the customer has decided she wants several closets built in this room.

She selected double doors with frosted glass panels for the closets yesterday and the topic of door hardware came up. Three closets, 4 pairs of doors. She would like to have no visible knobs or strike plates if possible.  Magnetic catches will solve the no visible strike plates problem – however, you still need a knob of some sort to pull it open.

As we talked she mentioned the magnetic catches seen on some cabinets which grip the door and hold it closed until you press on the door – when the door is pressed inward the catch releases somehow and the door springs forward toward you – allows you to grab the inside edge of the door and open it.  This would solve all of her hardware visibilty issues.

HOWEVER, all of the catches which I have seen of this design only advance the door by a fractional inch – not enough to get your fingers behind a standard 1-3/8″ door and open it.  Conceivably I could route a cove into the door edges to provide a fingerhold on the door edge (not visible when closed – would pass her visibility litmus test).

Does anyone know a source for this style magnetic catch with a longer “throw”?

Thanks in advance,

Jim

Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light. 

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  1. maverick | Feb 28, 2007 07:17pm | #1

    I get them at my local hardware store. if you press on the door and let it "pop" it will break free of the magnet. if you just press and keep your hand on it it will not open enough to get a grip on it. its all in the technique

    1. JTC1 | Feb 28, 2007 08:33pm | #2

      Thanks for the reply.

      Unfortunately, I doubt that the relatively small spring in the cabinet door catches will be able to get the door moving fast enough to have it break the magnetic "bond" regardless of opening technique. I think the best I can hope for is to have the catch open the door far enough to get fingers behind it.

      Doors are 2/0 x 6/8 x 1-3/8 pine, with large frosted glass inserts (~ 17"x67") - doors will be fairly heavy - don't know an exact wieght.

      I think I need the Tim Taylor, more power, model catches - if they exist.

      Jim

      Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light. 

      1. BillBrennen | Feb 28, 2007 08:37pm | #3

        How about routing a finger pull (recess) in the edge of the door near the touch latch? When it kicks the door out an inch, you can grab it by the pull and open it. Pull will be concealed when door is shut.Bill

        1. JTC1 | Feb 28, 2007 08:49pm | #4

          Bill,

          Thanks for the reply.

          I mentioned routing a cove in the door edge in the OP, cove = finger recess, as usual I have explained things and made them just as clear as mud.

          Jim

          Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

          1. BillBrennen | Feb 28, 2007 09:03pm | #6

            Sorry. Your OP was plenty clear, I just failed to read it carefully. Second time's the charm!Bill

  2. tek | Feb 28, 2007 08:55pm | #5

    We used this on a project years ago.  It did what we wanted it to (as you've described) but was fussy to set up right.  I think adding the additional throws would have helped the operation.

    http://professional.iveshardware.com/pdfs/templates/latches/inst.cl11-14_1.pdf

    Just remember to put a handle on the inside of the door.  If you get shut in the closet, there's no way to open this without pulling the door towards you.

    1. JTC1 | Feb 28, 2007 10:38pm | #8

      Thanks for the reply.

      Went to the site, am cyphering with the diagram now.

      Jim

      Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

  3. TomT226 | Feb 28, 2007 09:42pm | #7

    Try http://www.woodworkershardware.com

    Look at SP266, and WT7089, which is a "Heavy Duty Touch Catch" with 22lbs of tension, which should push that door easily.

     

    1. JTC1 | Feb 28, 2007 10:39pm | #9

      OOOOOOOH - this looks promising!

      Thanks,

      Jim

      Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

      1. TomT226 | Mar 01, 2007 04:18am | #12

        >>Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.<<

        The good light always shows the mistakes made with a sharp pencil.... 

        1. JTC1 | Mar 01, 2007 07:30am | #13

          It's true.

          However, a wise man once told me it is far easier and cheaper to correct mistakes made with the pencil than those made with wood. He was right.

          Jim

          Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

  4. vintage1 | Mar 01, 2007 12:44am | #10

    try www.usbuildersupply.com  they have all kinds of hardware including some robust magnetic closers for larger doors.

    1. JTC1 | Mar 01, 2007 12:56am | #11

      Thanks for the link.

      I'll check it out.

      Jim

      Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

  5. User avater
    JeffBuck | Mar 01, 2007 11:11am | #14

    Pimp My Door!

     

    bet U could find some sorta remote hydraulic actuator.

    add a coupla monitors on the inside and X might even present it for ya!

    Jeff

        Buck Construction

     Artistry In Carpentry

         Pittsburgh Pa

  6. hmj | Mar 01, 2007 03:16pm | #15

    I just built a door to access the under stairs storage cavity in a townhouse. I used these long latches latches from Lee Valley: (item number 00S33.40)

    "...These surface-mount magnetic latches open and close with a touch (the medium-duty latches have stronger springs). All have ABS plastic bodies and steel strikes (light-duty are nickel plated, and medium-duty are yellow-zinc dichromate).

    The long latch measures 1-3/4" wide by 2-3/4" deep, and has a 1-1/4" stroke. Mounting screws supplied.

    Made in Japan...."

    I used 2 latches, which works well, pushing the door all the way open, unless they get out of sync.

    1. JTC1 | Mar 01, 2007 03:57pm | #16

      Thanks - this sounds promising - especially the 1+" stroke.

      Jim

      Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

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