keeping the chest closed

[Oskar Sedell]

Hi all!

I'm looking for inspiration for my new tool chest. The lid will have hinges on the back side but I can't decide how to keep it closed.

The lid (without battens) is a little less than 3/8'' or 9 mm thick and I'm looking for something neat and light. I don't need to lock the chest, nor will I carry it around much.

It would be nice with a solution in wood, but I haven't seen anything that would fit. I'm sure many of you have tried something out, or seen something somewhere that could fit. Like with a wedge or pin or hasp or similar

Let the ideas (and pictures) flow. Looking forward to get some input.

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[William Fretwell]

If you won't lock it or move it (as in bouncing in the back of a truck) I don't see you need one. You will need a handle. A piece of nice rope from the handle to a simple cleat would suffice, the rope could be your handle. Two handles, each across or between the battens may tie things together appearance wise, as you obviously wanted the battens on the outside.
If the top is not plywood the movement of the top may be an issue with the battens.

[andy bessette]

The weight of the lid will keep it closed.

You don't need a handle if you cut a shallow hand relief into the face, just below the lid.

[steven c newman]

Just a Brass Hook & Eye.....

[Robert Engel]

Used these on mine work fine use one of the two on the right.

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[steven c newman]

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or..
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These might be a bit too wide..
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[Oskar Sedell]

thank you guys!


You may be right, that I don't need to keep it closed at all, just leave it as it is and let gravity do its thing.

A relief in the front is a good idea for a handle.

Robert: Do these have a name if I want to search for them?

Steven: Thanks for chiming in with some pics!

[Malcolm Schweizer]

I'm thinking a rope with a spliced eye that goes over another rope with a shaped wood dowel through the end so it "buttons" closed. This is the closest I could find to illustrate this. http://www.vitolo.it/rv/images/1/10281.jpg

Note- I just learned not to search for "rope chest closure" unless I want to see a lot of bra pics! :eek: Not that I'm complaining, but my wife walked in just at that moment and I was like: "I CAN EXPLAIN!"

[Frederick Skelly]

"Robert: Do these have a name if I want to search for them?"

Hi Oskar,
I searched a bit and it looks like this item: Stanley "CD5365 chest latch". (I found it by searching for "tool box latches", to my surprise. That search term brings up a lot of other choices too.)

Hope it helps!
Fred

[Oskar Sedell]

I'm thinking a rope with a spliced eye that goes over another rope with a shaped wood dowel through the end so it "buttons" closed. This is the closest I could find to illustrate this. http://www.vitolo.it/rv/images/1/10281.jpg

Note- I just learned not to search for "rope chest closure" unless I want to see a lot of bra pics! :eek: Not that I'm complaining, but my wife walked in just at that moment and I was like: "I CAN EXPLAIN!"

good advice! :D

A rope latch could work. But it might get sloppy over time, so it has to be made in a way that it can be tightened up.

Frederick: Thanks! Will check it out.

[Robert Engel]

Robert: Do these have a name if I want to search for them?
You can find them at Lee Valley Hardware

[Oskar Sedell]

Thank you Robert!

[Malcolm Schweizer]

good advice! :D

A rope latch could work. But it might get sloppy over time, so it has to be made in a way that it can be tightened up.

Frederick: Thanks! Will check it out.

Use nylon three strand rope. Buy the good stuff and it will not stretch. Splicing an eye is easy if you have never done it- just watch a few YouTube vids on it.

[Jim Koepke]

A rope latch could work. But it might get sloppy over time, so it has to be made in a way that it can be tightened up.

For one pair of my belt is a rope with a monkey's fist knot on one end and a slip knot (hangman's noose) on the other. Works good at holding my shorts up. It would likely do well as a rope knot for holding a chest closed.

jtk

[Sam Murdoch]

For an all wood solution you could attach a block to the inside of the lid set back to clear the chest face as you close the lid.
Through the chest face and through the lid block - bore a hole through which you can push a dowel with a handle.
The handle could be a simple bow tie or something carved - like a super sized netsuke style carving, or even a turks head if you
want to introduce rope.

Simple and elegant :cool:

[Oskar Sedell]

thanks for the suggestions guys. I know how to splice three-stranded rope, but didn't know that quality nylon rope does not stretch.

Sam: I like your all wood suggestion. Something along this line might be the winner in the end.

I'm building the insert trays now and looking forward to start using the chest. Should clear apartment of some mess..

[andy bessette]

Of course Nylon rope stretches. That is one of the reasons it is used for anchor line. But I feel it makes a very crude latch.

[Matt Evans]

Note- I just learned not to search for "rope chest closure" unless I want to see a lot of bra pics! :eek: Not that I'm complaining, but my wife walked in just at that moment and I was like: "I CAN EXPLAIN!"

About 10 years ago I was trying to find out how the Japanese clamped their glue ups. I searched "Traditional Japanese Clamps"

My wife broke out laughing at my loud, annoyed utterance " But nipples aren't important!" after scrolling halfway down the results.

I still don't know much about older Japanese clamps, and my wife still says she wants that phrase framed somewhere in the house on a sampler or something. (although, searches have gotten better, so maybe the results wouldn't be as bad now)

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Of course Nylon rope stretches. That is one of the reasons it is used for anchor line. But I feel it makes a very crude latch.

True, but we are talking a few inches of line. My daughter's cradle hangs with 1/2" nylon and she still plays in it at 3 years old and it hasn't budged.

[steven c newman]

Just let Gravity do it's job..
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Maybe add a little "extra" weight to the lid?

[Jason Dean]

What about rare earth magnets in the lid and the opposing pole in the case? If you balanced the force vs distance just right, you could get a really clean open and shut.