Changing wardrobe door latch

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timmmay

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Topic # 196519 3-Jun-2016 07:52

I have this door latch in some of my old wardrobes. It's really difficult for my wife to open and really loud when it opens or closes - the spring seems really strong, it's not just in need of an oil. I want to replace it with something else - a simple handle and some kind of latch - a small setup, not large door handles like for room doors. Not sure what though.

I measured the plate thingy where the little round thing comes out. From memory it was something like 54mm top to bottom, whereas my internal doors have a plate that's something like 58mm high. I figure I go to the hardware store to find something else, but if I need to make that hole in the side of the door bigger how do I do that? Chisel? Some kind of saw? I have a jigsaw is all.

Thoughts or suggestions welcome.

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Reply # 1564719 3-Jun-2016 07:58

Have you tried a dry lubricant such as silicone or candle wax to allow quieter, easier opening and closing? May well be the quickest and easiest fix.

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timmmay

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Reply # 1564721 3-Jun-2016 08:05

No haven't tried lubricant. It seems to have a really strong spring in there, it's not just sticky. My wife doesn't like it at all, wants it gone, so gone it is.

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MikeB4

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Reply # 1564723 3-Jun-2016 08:09

If it's a hollow core door it will be a pain as you don't have much to work with.

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timmmay

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Reply # 1564729 3-Jun-2016 08:18

It's a really old door, but I don't know what type. Guess I'll find out when I remove the latch, which has been painted over probably 5 times.

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Mattmannz

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Reply # 1564732 3-Jun-2016 08:23

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Typically those striker resistance style latches can be adjusted. You unscrew the face plate off the striker and then pull the striker out and you can rotate the spring loaded assembly left or right which winds it in or out and makes it protrude more or less. This obviously changes the amount of resistance required to open or close.

timmmay

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Reply # 1564733 3-Jun-2016 08:25

Mattmannz:

Typically those striker resistance style latches can be adjusted. You unscrew the face plate off the striker and then pull the striker out and you can rotate the spring loaded assembly left or right which winds it in or out and makes it protrude more or less. This obviously changes the amount of resistance required to open or close.

That's interesting, I'll definitely try that before replacing it, thanks :)

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mdf

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Reply # 1564763 3-Jun-2016 09:17

What @mattmannz said. Even if the one you've got isn't adjustable (the spring might just be old and creaky), you can probably get a like-for-like replacement (with the tension turned down) installed quite easily. There are both plastic and metal versions of this type of latch and while the plastic ones do look a bit cheap, they are quieter.

If you're replacing with a completely different style of latch, the size of the face plate isn't particularly indicative of the size of the mechanism behind it. I would guess though that for that style of latch it will be quite a small shaft, and you'd have to chisel or route out the space to install a bigger locking mechanism. Modern locks usually come with a little template for drilling out the necessary bits and pieces, but it's nigh on impossible to drill an existing hole out into a bigger hole without some pretty specialist kit.

If it's a hollow core door (so harder to install "proper" locks) it will pretty lightweight, so you could even take the latch out entirely and replace it with a cupboard-style magnetic latch in the top corner. Fill up the latch hole with expanding foam or off cuts, then smooth the face with builders bog, sand and paint. If you _really_ wanted to get fancy, replace the handles with some nice metal handles and it will be like a new door.

timmmay

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Reply # 1564765 3-Jun-2016 09:20

Magnetic latches sound like the best idea if the current latch isn't easily adjustable. My wife would prefer close to zero noise / effort to open. I have expanding foam and three kinds of builders bog and plenty of experience using both, I'm going to be spending the weekend filling and painting window sills after having double glazing installed this week.

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linw

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Reply # 1564774 3-Jun-2016 09:24

I've got a similar one and, much to my surprise, it was adjustable. Just looked at the blown up version of your pic and I wouldn't be surprised if it is the same as mine.

Mine is a Samson and beneath the protruding bit are instructions for altering the pressure. Yours is painted over!

It says to use a coin to twist the sticky out bit.

Pretty confident you'll get a solution as I did.

MikeB4

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Reply # 1564785 3-Jun-2016 09:39

timmmay:

Magnetic latches sound like the best idea if the current latch isn't easily adjustable. My wife would prefer close to zero noise / effort to open. I have expanding foam and three kinds of builders bog and plenty of experience using both, I'm going to be spending the weekend filling and painting window sills after having double glazing installed this week.

Magnetic latches in my experience are horrible, their life expectancy is very short. We were constantly replacing them. Which reminds me our pantry needs a replacement for a magnetic latch dammit.

Mike
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timmmay

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Reply # 1564807 3-Jun-2016 09:45

linw:

I've got a similar one and, much to my surprise, it was adjustable. Just looked at the blown up version of your pic and I wouldn't be surprised if it is the same as mine.

Mine is a Samson and beneath the protruding bit are instructions for altering the pressure. Yours is painted over!

It says to use a coin to twist the sticky out bit.

Pretty confident you'll get a solution as I did.

So do I unscrew the two main screws, look under the plate, and adjust there?

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timmmay

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Reply # 1564808 3-Jun-2016 09:45

MikeB4:

Magnetic latches in my experience are horrible, their life expectancy is very short. We were constantly replacing them. Which reminds me our pantry needs a replacement for a magnetic latch dammit.

Advantage would be that sticky out ball bit wouldn't keep carving a mark in the wood between the cupboards. Whoever put this in wasn't very smart.

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robcreid

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Reply # 1564826 3-Jun-2016 09:53

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timmmay:

Advantage would be that sticky out ball bit wouldn't keep carving a mark in the wood between the cupboards. Whoever put this in wasn't very smart.

I think latches like this should normally have a strike plate on the opposing surface. It should stick out a couple of mm and be angled so the latch gets pushed in gradually as the door closes.

timmmay

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Reply # 1564828 3-Jun-2016 09:55

robcreid:

I think latches like this should normally have a strike plate on the opposing surface. It should stick out a couple of mm and be angled so the latch gets pushed in gradually as the door closes.

Good point. I'll have a look in the shed to see if I have any, otherwise I might go get a couple, if they sell them separately.

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PeterQ

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Reply # 1564894 3-Jun-2016 10:53

Just get a flat screw driver and push the latch in while turning to the right, it might need a couple of turns to get it to what you want

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