Drawer construction to prevent opening whilst moving.

[bamper]

I am in the process of building my kitchen cabinet and am wondering what has been done to prevent the drawers from opening while driving.

I've found a few drawer slides that are a "soft close" design but they're spendy and I don't think they are the right thing to use.

Any ideas out there or pictures of what you've done would be much appreciated ! !

 

[ol trunt]

I've decided to use an all steel constructed "touch touch" latch on both my drawers and cupboards. Just a touch to open and a touch to close. I suppose they could open in the event of an accident if the contents they secure were to violently toss about but for normal conditions they should work just fine--unless they jamb See National Tutch Latch on Google or ebay. BTW, My entire 70 year old house was equipped with these when it was built and they still all work. Hope this helps.

 

[roach711]

I just didn't install any drawers. Silverware and utensils all go in wall racks. I also have all my lower cabinet doors opening toward the front so if one is left open I can hit the brakes to close it.

 

[peakbus]

I've decided to use an all steel constructed "touch touch" latch on both my drawers and cupboards. Just a touch to open and a touch to close. I suppose they could open in the event of an accident if the contents they secure were to violently toss about but for normal conditions they should work just fine--unless they jamb See National Tutch Latch on Google or ebay. BTW, My entire 70 year old house was equipped with these when it was built and they still all work. Hope this helps.

Ol Trunt, I'm reviving this thread because Iv'e been searching in vain for latches for my doors and drawers. So far I'm on my 4th set of trials.

I came upon touch latches a bit ago and just installed a couple to test. I fear the motion of the bus, along with weight in the (large) drawers will release the latches. How have yours worked in the years since?

 

[FatBoySTL]

Childproof latches

Are child-proofing latches not sufficient?

https://www.amazon.com/Skyla-Homes-...1673819&sprefix=childproof+dr,aps,239&sr=8-30

 

[Danjo-SKO]

In the RVs my family has had through the years, the drawers had a notch on the bottom edge of the drawer sides, just next to the door face that would catch the face frame When closed. To open, the drawer had to be lifted a 1/4” and then pulled.

 

[Rovobay]

OMG.... I just encountered this mess. I think I came up with a good solution. The soft close was not enough to hold them in place, also installed some double roller catches.... nope. due to the design of the cabinets and the countertop the child safety latch would not work so I came up with an alternate that I am very proud of.

here is the shot from under the drawer which has a cabinet under it.

This is the image of the drawers I was talking about. The ones on the left. The ones on the right that face the drivers side are held in place with child safety latches that have seemed to work great.

 

[Oscar1]

I just didn't install any drawers. Silverware and utensils all go in wall racks. I also have all my lower cabinet doors opening toward the front so if one is left open I can hit the brakes to close it.

Haha! Brake actuated door closures, how come Ikea never came up with that one?

 

[AzironaZack]

I built my own cabinets and am using latching hardware from the 1940s. It's amazing that no one makes nice hardware like this anymore.

Here's what I'm using:
http://www.etsy.com/hk-en/listing/210018357/vintage-amerock-cabinet-catch-ed9408?show_sold_out_detail=1

I picked up a couple of NOS boxes of them from Ebay for about $10 per latch after shipping. It was a little spendy but they look sharp and are super well made. I really am surprised no one is making stuff like this today (that I can find, at least).

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

why not just simple eye hook and loop latches?
they make some simple and thin looking delicate ones that work well or you can get up to full wrought iron handmade looking ones for a decent price.
everything i have is fully secured when moving but easily opened as needed with simple eye and hook latches.
i made the heavier ones for to contain the heavy items and i made the hook heavy enough so that it wouldnt bounce out if and could only be released by hand.
under my kitchen sink i used an oldish style steel desk that had 3 drawers each side with roller slides and incorporated them in and instead of trying to secure each drawer the finish face after some trim was close enough that i placed a removable stud in the center of the two stacks of three drawers and use a 1x4 board bolted to that stud to keep all of the cast iron,knives,or whatever important stuff secured while in motion.
but i have never planned on the kitchen to be used while in motion and limit my children to seatbelts.
personally to me everything should be secure while in motion period.
sorry my opinion.
good luck.


i

 

[peakbus]

Thanks all for the ideas. Child safety latches came to mind but I was looking for something a bit more... elegant? They would be hidden though.

My cabinet maker friend upscaled my project

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

ask your cabinet friend what he can get in his market for hidden latches?
i am not a cabinet man but i know they make strong magnets to mount hidden and only the one with the correct reversed polarity magnet can release them?
not sci-fi stuff but not cheap but definitely would serve your purpose.
i know overboard but there are very many ideas and many variations of someone elses ideas out there?
i know you havent said this?????
those cabinets look to good to put child safety latches on? do you have young children or are you just wanting to keep them closed?
two different struggles.
to late for this but build your cabinet framing out of sheetmetal studs and then you can use hidden magnetic strips?

 

[peakbus]

I just need them to stay closed while travelling. The drawers are heavy, so even with self closing glides they will roll open. Ask me how I know...
I've been looking at marine options.
https://www.boatid.com/sea-dog/sea-dog-slam-latch-2380237756.html
Expensive but looks stronger than the itt bity plastic ones ive seen.

 

[bus-bro]

Boy, that is spendy. I was going to suggest nautical latches, but I see you found them. There's got to be something for less though, maybe in the workboat world.

 

[Drew Bru]

Boy, that is spendy. I was going to suggest nautical latches, but I see you found them. There's got to be something for less though, maybe in the workboat world.

They're much cheaper an Amazon, look for push button latches.

 

[1olfart]

McMaster Carr has some great options.

 

[Caplansail]

boat latches

My sailboat drawers and cabinets have different latches, you stick your finger through a hole in the front to release a spring-loaded hook on the inside. Never failed, despite pounding 30 degree heeling (leaning) to each side.

I favor the aluminum ones, though, they are beautiful!

Barbara

 

[peakbus]

Thanks Drew bru. Been there. My problem is these are big, heavy drawers. 27" wide and built of 3/4" ply so I'm opting out of the plastic options as I can guess their success rate.
Mcmasters Carr did have some good options but don't quite fit.
Caplansail: I actually had those very latches because I remembered them from boats I've sailed on. My wife vetoed saying they seemed awkward to reach through. I think we will revisit them though as they are a good price and are sturdy. I think the hole in the drawer face also fits with the cabinet style.
Thanks all for your ideas!

 

[Caplansail]

If the drawer fits well in the cabinet frame, they’re great. We have one drawer that is very stiff to open with just the finger hole, I have trouble with it but haven’t gotten around to fixing it.

B