I recently built a vanity cabinet for my in-laws, and this is one of the
few times I have used inset doors. I usually build overlay drawers with
self closing hinges, so it didn't cross my mind that the new doors would
not stay shut.

So, I'm looking for a good catch hardware that I can install "after-the-
fact" in the vanity I've already installed at my in-laws house.

All of the magnetic catches I see at the home centers are made to screw to
something "above" the door. But since the doors are inset into the face
frame, there's nothing above the door to screw into. I would need something
that screws into the back of the face frame.

I saw some bullet catches that looked like a possibility, but a recent
article in Fine Homebuilding made them sound finicky to install, and
problematic with seasonal wood changes. I also wonder how easy it would be
to install them on site at my in-laws bathroom.

Ideally I'd like something that stays mostly out of the way. No protruding
brackets or anything to get in the way.

Anyway, what do you all use for inset doors when the decorative surface
mount hinges are not self-closing? Web links to sources would be
appreciated.

Thanks,

Anthony

You can bite the bullet and use the magnet, and glue on a small... wait a
minute magnetic catch would work fine, or a double ball catch...
Many possibilities on this page
http://www.rockler.com/CategoryView.cfm?Cat_ID=176

or something like this one
http://www.mobilehomepartsstore.com/...ct_Code=460351

"HerHusband" wrote in message
...
I recently built a vanity cabinet for my in-laws, and this is one of the
few times I have used inset doors. I usually build overlay drawers with
self closing hinges, so it didn't cross my mind that the new doors would
not stay shut.

So, I'm looking for a good catch hardware that I can install "after-the-
fact" in the vanity I've already installed at my in-laws house.

All of the magnetic catches I see at the home centers are made to screw to
something "above" the door. But since the doors are inset into the face
frame, there's nothing above the door to screw into. I would need
something
that screws into the back of the face frame.

I saw some bullet catches that looked like a possibility, but a recent
article in Fine Homebuilding made them sound finicky to install, and
problematic with seasonal wood changes. I also wonder how easy it would be
to install them on site at my in-laws bathroom.

Ideally I'd like something that stays mostly out of the way. No protruding
brackets or anything to get in the way.

Anyway, what do you all use for inset doors when the decorative surface
mount hinges are not self-closing? Web links to sources would be
appreciated.

Thanks,

Anthony

On Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:09:50 -0500, HerHusband
wrote:

Anyway, what do you all use for inset doors when the decorative surface
mount hinges are not self-closing? Web links to sources would be
appreciated.

In the old days we would use the magnet catch and glue a little block
for it to mount. Is there any reason you can't change the hinge to a
self closing?

Mike O.

Mike,

what do you all use for inset doors when the decorative
surface mount hinges are not self-closing? Web links to sources
would be appreciated.

In the old days we would use the magnet catch and glue a little block
for it to mount.

I used the block behind the frame approach on an earlier project I used an
inset door on, but it would be a little more awkward now that the cabinet
is already installed. I'm hoping for something I can install quickly and
easily and be done with it.

Is there any reason you can't change the hinge to a self closing?

My mother-in-law likes the current hinges...

Anthony

Many possibilities on this page
http://www.rockler.com/CategoryView.cfm?Cat_ID=176

Yep, I've seen those in the Rockler catalog. The magnetic catch for inset
doors is about the only one I see that doesn't rely on a cabinet member or
block of wood running perpendicular to the door. My biggest gripe with the
magnetic catch is the bracket that sticks down in the way.

I may just have to resort to a small block of wood above the door to hold a
normal catch.

Thanks,

Anthony

HerHusband wrote:
I recently built a vanity cabinet for my in-laws, and this is one
of the few times I have used inset doors. I usually build overlay
drawers with self closing hinges, so it didn't cross my mind that
the new doors would not stay shut.

So, I'm looking for a good catch hardware that I can install
"after-the- fact" in the vanity I've already installed at my
in-laws house.

You could always whittle out a nice little turnbutton and arrach it to
the outside of the face frame so it can be rotated over the door when
the door is closed.

If you want to be fancy, you could mortice it into the door edge so
that when it is turned by an external knob/lever it rotates into a
slot on the face frame.

Magnetic or friction catch is easier.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

On Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:34:26 -0500, HerHusband
wrote:

Many possibilities on this page
http://www.rockler.com/CategoryView.cfm?Cat_ID=176

Yep, I've seen those in the Rockler catalog. The magnetic catch for inset
doors is about the only one I see that doesn't rely on a cabinet member or
block of wood running perpendicular to the door. My biggest gripe with the
magnetic catch is the bracket that sticks down in the way.

I may just have to resort to a small block of wood above the door to hold a
normal catch.

Thanks,

Anthony


I usually try to plan ahead and turn or add to the face frame piece so
that it is deep enough to mount a magnetic catch. Just finished three
pieces that did not have the depth. Added a block to mount the catch.

In my case, you don't see it.

Frank

I've never tried this idea, but with the strength of some of the neodymium
magnets that are available today, it seems possible to install one
or two on the _hinge_ side of the inset door that would be strong enough
to hold the door in the closed position.
--
There are no stupid questions, but there are lots of stupid answers.

Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf. lonestar. org

I've used bullet catches with great success. I've not had seasonal changes
casue me grief.
Easy to install.

Thom


"HerHusband" wrote in message
...
I recently built a vanity cabinet for my in-laws, and this is one of the
few times I have used inset doors. I usually build overlay drawers with
self closing hinges, so it didn't cross my mind that the new doors would
not stay shut.

So, I'm looking for a good catch hardware that I can install "after-the-
fact" in the vanity I've already installed at my in-laws house.

All of the magnetic catches I see at the home centers are made to screw to
something "above" the door. But since the doors are inset into the face
frame, there's nothing above the door to screw into. I would need
something
that screws into the back of the face frame.

I saw some bullet catches that looked like a possibility, but a recent
article in Fine Homebuilding made them sound finicky to install, and
problematic with seasonal wood changes. I also wonder how easy it would be
to install them on site at my in-laws bathroom.

Ideally I'd like something that stays mostly out of the way. No protruding
brackets or anything to get in the way.

Anyway, what do you all use for inset doors when the decorative surface
mount hinges are not self-closing? Web links to sources would be
appreciated.

Thanks,

Anthony

Tue, Oct 23, 2007, 9:34pm (EDT-1) (HerHusband) doth
sayeth:
Yep, I've seen those in the Rockler catalog. The magnetic catch for
inset doors is about the only one I see that doesn't rely on a cabinet
member or block of wood running perpendicular to the door. My biggest
gripe with the magnetic catch is the bracket that sticks down in the
way.
I may just have to resort to a small block of wood above the door to
hold a normal catch.

It's just gotta be my upbringing, and my Army years. My first
thought is almost always, "How can I do it myself, without buying
something pricey?". And, always, KISS, KISS, KISS.

I'd say, a tack in the top, centered over the end of the door.
Then, small magnet inset in the top of the door. Or, you could do it on
the bottom instead. Or, even on top AND bottom. Or, use a screw-eye on
the inside top of the door, fastening on a length of monofiliment fish
line (or whatever), running to another screw-eye on the inside back of
the cabinet, then a large lead sinker. Pull open the door, that pulls
the sinker up. Let go of the door, the lead sinker pulls the door shut.
No prob. KISS. If you wanted to keep the inside neat, you could drill
a hole in the back, and have the sinker on the outside. No prob. None
of it's rocket science.



JOAT
"I'm an Igor, thur. We don't athk quethtionth."
"Really? Why not?"
"I don't know, thur. I didn't athk."

HerHusband wrote:
I recently built a vanity cabinet for my in-laws, and this is one of the
few times I have used inset doors. I usually build overlay drawers with
self closing hinges, so it didn't cross my mind that the new doors would
not stay shut.

So, I'm looking for a good catch hardware that I can install "after-the-
fact" in the vanity I've already installed at my in-laws house.

All of the magnetic catches I see at the home centers are made to screw to
something "above" the door. But since the doors are inset into the face
frame, there's nothing above the door to screw into. I would need something
that screws into the back of the face frame.

I saw some bullet catches that looked like a possibility, but a recent
article in Fine Homebuilding made them sound finicky to install, and
problematic with seasonal wood changes. I also wonder how easy it would be
to install them on site at my in-laws bathroom.

Ideally I'd like something that stays mostly out of the way. No protruding
brackets or anything to get in the way.

Anyway, what do you all use for inset doors when the decorative surface
mount hinges are not self-closing? Web links to sources would be
appreciated.
`

A recent article in Fine Woodworking (issue #193, p. 16) shows a pair of
small, round rare earth magnets being used as a "latch". Requires a
shallow half-inch hole drilled in the door and the style and the magnets
being glued in place (oriented with proper polarity). Looks simple,
innocuous and effective.

HerHusband wrote:
I recently built a vanity cabinet for my in-laws, and this is one of the
few times I have used inset doors. I usually build overlay drawers with
self closing hinges, so it didn't cross my mind that the new doors would
not stay shut.

So, I'm looking for a good catch hardware that I can install "after-the-
fact" in the vanity I've already installed at my in-laws house.

All of the magnetic catches I see at the home centers are made to screw to
something "above" the door. But since the doors are inset into the face
frame, there's nothing above the door to screw into. I would need something
that screws into the back of the face frame.

I saw some bullet catches that looked like a possibility, but a recent
article in Fine Homebuilding made them sound finicky to install, and
problematic with seasonal wood changes. I also wonder how easy it would be
to install them on site at my in-laws bathroom.

Ideally I'd like something that stays mostly out of the way. No protruding
brackets or anything to get in the way.

Anyway, what do you all use for inset doors when the decorative surface
mount hinges are not self-closing? Web links to sources would be
appreciated.
`

A recent article in Fine Woodworking (issue #193, p. 16) shows a pair of
small, round rare earth magnets being used as a "latch". Requires a
shallow half-inch hole drilled in the door and the style and the magnets
being glued in place (oriented with proper polarity). Looks simple,
innocuous and effective.

I have used the small and medium brass double ball catch on small and large
doors. This is the two piece type with the "v" shaped male part that latches
between the two barrel and ball female part. The large doors such as my
entertainment center required one at the top and one at the bottom. They
used to be a couple of bucks each.

Good Luck,

Dennis Slabaugh, Hobbyist Woodworker
www.woodworkinghobby.com



"Bubba" wrote in message
...
HerHusband wrote:
I recently built a vanity cabinet for my in-laws, and this is one of the
few times I have used inset doors. I usually build overlay drawers with
self closing hinges, so it didn't cross my mind that the new doors would
not stay shut.

So, I'm looking for a good catch hardware that I can install "after-the-
fact" in the vanity I've already installed at my in-laws house.

All of the magnetic catches I see at the home centers are made to screw
to something "above" the door. But since the doors are inset into the
face frame, there's nothing above the door to screw into. I would need
something that screws into the back of the face frame.

I saw some bullet catches that looked like a possibility, but a recent
article in Fine Homebuilding made them sound finicky to install, and
problematic with seasonal wood changes. I also wonder how easy it would
be to install them on site at my in-laws bathroom.

Ideally I'd like something that stays mostly out of the way. No
protruding brackets or anything to get in the way.

Anyway, what do you all use for inset doors when the decorative surface
mount hinges are not self-closing? Web links to sources would be
appreciated.
`

A recent article in Fine Woodworking (issue #193, p. 16) shows a pair of
small, round rare earth magnets being used as a "latch". Requires a
shallow half-inch hole drilled in the door and the style and the magnets
being glued in place (oriented with proper polarity). Looks simple,
innocuous and effective.

I have used the small and medium brass double ball catch on small and
large doors. This is the two piece type with the "v" shaped male part
that latches between the two barrel and ball female part. The large
doors such as my entertainment center required one at the top and one
at the bottom. They used to be a couple of bucks each.

After over analyzing the situation, I just took my air nailer and tacked
some wood strips to the backs of the face frames. Then I installed some
magnetic catches I picked up at Home Depot. Plain and simple. They worked
fine.

Anthony