Hardware Assignment

 

Chosen piece: 01X4325 Twin Bow latch

History of the latch:

A latch or catch is a type of mechanical fastener that joins two (or more) objects or surfaces while allowing for their regular separation. A latch typically engages another piece of hardware on the other mounting surface.

A latch is not the same as the locking mechanism of a door or window, although often they are found together in the same product.

Latches range in complexity from flexible one-piece flat springs of metal or plastic, such as are used to keep blow molded plastic power tool cases closed, to multi-point cammed latches used to keep large doors closed.

Common types

• Deadbolt latch
• Spring latches
• Latch bolt 
• Deadlocking latch bolt (deadlatch) 
• Draw Latch 
• Spring bolt lock (or night latch)
• Slam latch
• Cam lock
• Electronic cam lock
• Norfolk latch
• Suffolk latch
• Cabin hook
• Toggle latch
• Pawl
• Crossbar

Application to Cabinet Making

We chose the Twin bow latch, its name given due to the bow shaped knobs in the bottom half of the hardware and the latch that runs across it. It is a decorative piece of hardware used to hold two cabinet doors closed together via latch.

Comes with mounting hardware for installation. Does specify any special tools need for mounting.

It appears that the hardware needs to be lined up to the spacing between each door. Due to the design there is limited lateral movement.

Materials play a role in the cost, strength, and wear of the hardware.

The hardware is cast in zinc, a more economical option for metal hardware, and then finished to look like brass at two different age points, or pewter. Using zinc as the base instead of solid brass or pewter is a reasonable choice. Solid brass or pewter would be more expensive, but also softer; this makes it easier to shape intricate designs, but it gets dinged more easily, over time creating a clear difference in wear. Our hardware has an interesting design, but it is relatively simple (a circle with some cut-outs) so using zinc which is stronger and cheaper makes sense. Zinc is not the strongest possible metal, for instance bronze would be stronger, but for a decorative piece like this which won’t receive as much use, it is more than sufficient.

Since the brass finish options are treated to appear already worn, it won’t patina or tarnish the way a “living finish” brass piece would. This could be desirable, or undesirable depending on your taste. Here’s a comparison of how solid brass wears versus the finishes of Lee Valley which won’t wear:

Polished, unlacquered solid brass

Aged unlacquered solid brass

“Antique” brass finish

“Old” brass finish

We haven’t seen this particular design of latch. We imagine it could go on the doors of a wardrobe.

It reminds us a little of the geometry in certain Asian aesthetics.