I'm preparing to design a project that calls for a concealed, or at
least, not easily seen or found, lock. This needs to be child-proof,
which is the reason for the lock.
I want it concealed, so it won't:
ONE, call attention to the fact that it has a lock - that would only
make kids that much more curious;
and,
TWO, distract from the overall looks of the piece.
I've ran across these two magnetic locks:
http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.asp?SID=&ccurrency=1&page=40353&category=3,41399,41403
http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/findprod.cfm?sku=1611&filter=63164&DID=6
I would think either could be suitable.
I was thinking of a lifting lid, for access. However, the piece is
going to be in the open, and subject to being lifted, by the lid, and
moved, at times. The lid will project a bit, so that could be done. I
would like a top that won't rattle up and down - be loose - when that's
done, so would probably put some sort of rubber cushion along the edges.
I'm wondering if the latch would be strong enough. The piece is
going to be pretty heavy, it won't be small, and it's going to have a
lot of wood in it. So I'm wondering just how strong one of these laches
would be - how much weight they would support. I don't know how much
weight, but figuring on at least 100 lbs, probably more, so I would want
it to hold at 250, to be safe.
So, I'm asking anyone that has actually used these latches - how
much weight do you think one of these would support?
If it's only say 25-30 lbs or so, that would mean I could still use
one, just have to forget making the top open. Maybe an end, or a side.
I haven't seen one in person, or I'd just figure it out for
myself. And, so far, I haven't found anything that would tell me what
the weight limit would be. Thanks.
JOAT
Don't e-mail me while I'm breathing.
Life just ain't life without good music. - JOAT
Web Page Update 9 Jan 2004.
Some tunes I like.
http://community-2.webtv.net/Jakofalltrades/SOMETUNESILIKE/
"T" this particular catch really does not hold any weight per se,
I have not ever used it but recently I changed some kitchen counter top for
a lady that took care of people as assisted care, this is a private home but
regulated by the state.
the cabinet below the sink where there was cleaning fluid etc had to be
locked so no one could accidently drink some of the stuff.
WHile working there we kept screwing up and let that door shut and then when
i went to open it cussed like hell because i had to use that damn key.
Pretty nifty private latch it is a simple catch that take the key to release
it, I never saw one before and did not take a close look at the workings of
it,
This lady is a big fan of HD i would not be suprised if that is where she
got it.
But as i said i do not believe weight affects it at all.
However if your lid was very heavy you can make that very light by laying up
a honeycomb panel
Good Luck,
George
"T." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm preparing to design a project that calls for a concealed, or at
> least, not easily seen or found, lock. This needs to be child-proof,
> which is the reason for the lock.
>
> I want it concealed, so it won't:
> ONE, call attention to the fact that it has a lock - that would only
> make kids that much more curious;
> and,
> TWO, distract from the overall looks of the piece.
>
> I've ran across these two magnetic locks:
>
http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.asp?SID=&ccurrency=1&page=40353&category=3,41399,41403
> http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/findprod.cfm?sku=1611&filter=63164&DID=6
> I would think either could be suitable.
> I was thinking of a lifting lid, for access. However, the piece is
> going to be in the open, and subject to being lifted, by the lid, and
> moved, at times. The lid will project a bit, so that could be done. I
> would like a top that won't rattle up and down - be loose - when that's
> done, so would probably put some sort of rubber cushion along the edges.
>
> I'm wondering if the latch would be strong enough. The piece is
> going to be pretty heavy, it won't be small, and it's going to have a
> lot of wood in it. So I'm wondering just how strong one of these laches
> would be - how much weight they would support. I don't know how much
> weight, but figuring on at least 100 lbs, probably more, so I would want
> it to hold at 250, to be safe.
>
> So, I'm asking anyone that has actually used these latches - how
> much weight do you think one of these would support?
>
> If it's only say 25-30 lbs or so, that would mean I could still use
> one, just have to forget making the top open. Maybe an end, or a side.
>
> I haven't seen one in person, or I'd just figure it out for
> myself. And, so far, I haven't found anything that would tell me what
> the weight limit would be. Thanks.
>
> JOAT
> Don't e-mail me while I'm breathing.
>
> Life just ain't life without good music. - JOAT
> Web Page Update 9 Jan 2004.
> Some tunes I like.
> http://community-2.webtv.net/Jakofalltrades/SOMETUNESILIKE/
>
Fri, Jan 9, 2004, 10:20pm (EST-2) [email protected]
(George=A0M.=A0Kazaka) says:
"T" this particular catch really does not hold any weight <snip>
That's about what I was thinking, but I've never seen one live.
However if your lid was very heavy you can make that very light by
laying up a honeycomb panel
Nah, the lid won't be particularly heavy, but It'll be used as a
hand hold sometimes, and the whole thing moved
I don't want it to be loose when it is.
That's pretty much what I had figured. The new Plan B, right now,
is to put the latch in one end, with hidden hinges probably, so the end
drops down, then a latch inside there that holds the top down, and take
the weight of the whole package, if need be, maybe two latches.
I stay away from HD, and plan to keep staying away. Haven't had a
chance to go to Lowes for a few weeks. When I get the truck back on the
road I'll try to check there. Thanks.
JOAT
Don't e-mail me while I'm breathing.
Life just ain't life without good music. - JOAT
Web Page Update 9 Jan 2004.
Some tunes I like.
http://community-2.webtv.net/Jakofalltrades/SOMETUNESILIKE/
In article <[email protected]>,
T. <[email protected]> wrote:
>Fri, Jan 9, 2004, 10:20pm (EST-2) [email protected]
>(George M. Kazaka) says:
>"T" this particular catch really does not hold any weight <snip>
>
> That's about what I was thinking, but I've never seen one live.
>
>However if your lid was very heavy you can make that very light by
>laying up a honeycomb panel
>
> Nah, the lid won't be particularly heavy, but It'll be used as a
>hand hold sometimes, and the whole thing moved
>I don't want it to be loose when it is.
>
> That's pretty much what I had figured. The new Plan B, right now,
>is to put the latch in one end, with hidden hinges probably, so the end
>drops down, then a latch inside there that holds the top down, and take
>the weight of the whole package, if need be, maybe two latches.
Howsabout this --
At the rear of the lid, "invisible" (e.g., SOSS) hinges.
At the front of the lid, a couple of 'blade' type plates, with "bolt holes"
in them. these mate with a horiz bolt mechanism on the inside of the front
of the box.
The horiz bolt mechanism is controlled by a *recessed* key lock. the
recessed area is fairly large, with a *tight*fitting* 'cover piece'.
The 'cover piece' is a piece of steel, _veneered_ to match the front of
the chest. If you use veneer for the entire front of the chest, the
cover piece can be darn near invisible.
Put a couple of 'relatively' *weak* magnets in the recess, to hold the
cover in place.
Build a "handle" with a -stronger- magnet, used to remove the cover and
expose the lock.
Or, one could eliminate the magnets entirely, using the 'push open,
push closed' mechanisms often found on buffets. Harder to make it as
'invisible' to casual inspection, this way, though.
Another alternative, recess the keyhole behind a "Japanese puzzle box"-style
sliding panel. *PRECISION* construction, and serious care with regard to
expansion/contraction of the wood involved, is required for this solution.
>
> I stay away from HD, and plan to keep staying away. Haven't had a
>chance to go to Lowes for a few weeks. When I get the truck back on the
>road I'll try to check there. Thanks.
>
>JOAT
>Don't e-mail me while I'm breathing.
>
>Life just ain't life without good music. - JOAT
>Web Page Update 9 Jan 2004.
>Some tunes I like.
>http://community-2.webtv.net/Jakofalltrades/SOMETUNESILIKE/
>
Sat, Jan 10, 2004, 6:15pm (EST+5) [email protected]
(Robert=A0Bonomi) queries:
Howsabout this -- <snip>
No, I think that's all too complicated. But, it did give me some
ideas.
I'm thinking now, maybe an end that hinges in, and is held closed
with a couple of rat-trap springs, maybe in conjunction with a magnet or
two. Push to open, and a lock inside. I think that would work.
=A0=A0
It should go without saying, that all hinges would be concealed,
but I'll say it anyway.
JOAT
Don't e-mail me while I'm breathing.
Life just ain't life without good music. - JOAT
Web Page Update 10 Jan 2004.
Some tunes I like.
http://community-2.webtv.net/Jakofalltrades/SOMETUNESILIKE/
[email protected] (T.) wrote in message:
...
>
> I've ran across these two magnetic locks:
> http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.asp?SID=&ccurrency=1&page=40353&category=3,41399,41403
> http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/findprod.cfm?sku=1611&filter=63164&DID=6
> I would think either could be suitable.
...
> So, I'm asking anyone that has actually used these latches - how
> much weight do you think one of these would support?
> ...
Hi,
We use these locks to keep our young kids out of the cabinets around
the house. Ours are the Tot-Lok brand sold at the Borg etc, but
appear to be identical to the ones you linked at Rockler and Lee
Valley.
These locks are really stronger than you might think. I can't pry one
open by hand ... I'd be afraid of breaking the floating panel door
before the lock would give. I'd say my locks easily hold 50-100lbs.
The magnets are reasonably strong, but the magnet has to be within
about 1/2 to 1/4 of an inch of the lock before it will click open. So
they are a little tricky to open, at least until you get used to them.
Also, over time the spot where the magnet is slid over the lock will
develop an ugly wear spot on the outside finish. You might want to do
something like put felt over the magnet bottoms to keep from wearing
through the finish.
Hope that helps.
Nate Perkins
Ft Collins, CO