Any ideas for a door latch?

[atroxr7]

that design usually uses a spring... look inside any MIG welder (eh, you probly have or you wouldnt have thought of that im guessing haha) does the edge of your door have a frame? Id be worried about that flat stock pulling out of the door and bending over

[mtumbleson]

Originally Posted by JTW37

Here is a rough drawing of the latch that I'm thinking of making for my doors. Hope you can figure it out from my drawing.

This could also be used across the front ( for dbl doors) or on the side for one door.

Yea that would work. I could machine the parts up pretty quick, but I'm hoping to pick up some for cheap so I don't have to mess with it.

Thanks for the drawing.

[JTW37]

Yea, I guess that needs to be said. I do have a frame work for my entire oven. So it wouldn't be an issue with mine. But if you don't have a frame around your door, you could add a plate to the door and use that for reinforcement. Of course you would want your door to fit pretty good and not bind when closing it, so it had a lot (gap) to pull closed.

I did check out the one on ebay, but my oven with the wheels stands 6'2" and would be a pain to use that one. Am continually brainstorming and may come up with something better.

[itsallgood]

This is what I'm using, my door is 4'x8', I have one on each end and you can pull it as tight as you want. Too tight actually, as I know from expericnce by pulling the metal off the outside .

The "L" shaped piece there is what the latch hooks into. This can be used anywhere there is a 90* angle. They cost about $5 a piece around here.

[mtumbleson]

Originally Posted by itsallgood

This is what I'm using, my door is 4'x8', I have one on each end and you can pull it as tight as you want. Too tight actually, as I know from expericnce by pulling the metal off the outside .

The "L" shaped piece there is what the latch hooks into. This can be used anywhere there is a 90* angle. They cost about $5 a piece around here.

Where did you find this one at?

My door is also 4x8 and weighs a tad over 200lbs. I will probably go with 3 latches. (top, bottom, and middle).

[JTW37]

Ditto. I may forget about making mine. Those would work well and only takes a trip to the store, maybe? In the meantime I'm going to Lowe's and see what they have to offer.

Will report back.

[atroxr7]

i went to lowes today for closet shelving and such... still moving in here. Yeah, so i didnt even think to look for oven parts, bah... im really liking the one posted above, simple, cheap and adjustable

[JTW37]

Well, after fighting the ice that was everywhere, I made it to Lowe's. What a waste of time. Even stopped at ACE hardware and the same story. I think I may try one of the local Hardware Stores that is not a chain and see what they have. Then there is TSC that is a farm supply store. Maybe something there. If not, I've built most everything for this oven, guess I can made the latch too.

Reworked the hinges today, as I didn't much care for the way the door was acting. It shuts better and more flat. Found I had a little bit of binding going on.

Tomorrow will be busy doing a three duce manifold and gas tank for another. Plus work on the oven as much as I can.

[atroxr7]

TSC is usually pretty good for things like that so you might get lucky.

[itsallgood]

I bought mine at the local Do-It Best store.
Anyone who carries National Hardware supplies should have these.
They also make all kinds of hinges, latches, universal storm door latches, etc.
The packages are white with some blue on the top with the National Hardware logo in the upper left hand corner of the package. I'll get the accurate exact part number and price of these tomorrow. If you all can't find them locally I'll pick them up and ship them to you if you want.

I agree with putting 3 latches on a 4x8 door, mine is the same size and I think I need one in the middle just for added sealing measures.