Hidden Drawer Latches

[bdosborn]

I've been looking for a way to add drawer latches that aren't big clunky things on the front of the drawer. I had used window sash latches for the teardrop but it had recessed drawer fronts. The Boxcar has overlay drawer fronts and I hadn't found any kind of latch I liked. Last fall, Ron and Pamela (Widget 7) had a gathering on their property and Ron told me about a yacht builders trick for securing doors. This only works if you have access to the side of the drawer, which I do through an adjacent cabinet door.

I used a retractable spring plunger:



When you pull on the handle, the pin retracts:



I mounted it to the side of the drawer using a piece of aluminum angle:



And I drilled a hole in the side of the drawer for the pin to slide into:



I used a non-locking pin meaning the pin moves back when you release the handle. They have locking versions that will hold the pin back till you release it. I wanted a positive latching mechanism that will always lock so I don't have to remember to secure the drawer when we drive away. Works like a charm. The only draw back is it now takes two hands to open the drawer and the pin is making a line along the side of the cabinet. I found the retractable pins on eBay.

Bruce