Touch Latches and Inset Doors
Quick tips on making a touch latch work with an inset cabinet door. December 27, 2006
Question
I'm trying to find a magnetic touch latch with 3/4" - 1" of travel. I want to use them on 3/4" thick inset doors without any type of knob or pull. Ideally, the touch latch would push the door out far enough to get your fingers behind and open the door. Any ideas on a source or better idea to achieve this?
Forum Responses
(Cabinetmaking Forum)
From contributor P:
I don't think you have to worry about the amount of travel. The momentum of the catch releasing should open the door enough. Just don't use self-closing hinges.
From contributor M:
I would be more concerned about a touch latch even working with inset doors. Do the hinges you're using have enough over travel that they can swing in far enough to release from the latch?
From contributor D:
I've used a push latch a few times on inset
cabinet doors without a big problem. Free swing cup hinges and a good authoritative push releases the door far enough out that you can easily get your fingers around the back of it.
From contributor J:
If you can't get the full extension you need with a touch latch, cut a finger pull in the edge of the door. With an inset door it still remains hidden, but reduces the amount of travel the touch latch has to give you in order to get a grip on the edge.
