Looking for some spring latches

[Mike Henderson]

My wife is a musician (cello). Her cello case has latches to hold it closed. The latches have a spring in them to keep the lift part of the latch down, once you snap it closed.

Several of the latches have broken springs and she has asked me to replace the latches but I have not been able to find latches that are even close to what she has. I have two pictures of one of the latches. One picture shows the latch closed and the other shows it opened up. If the spring was working, the arm on the "open" picture would be pulled down by the spring.

The problem is that without the spring, the latches come open as you carry the case.

Can anyone suggest where I might find something like this?

The latches need to be "smooth" so that they don't catch on clothes as you handle the case. Thanks in advance for any pointers.

Mike

468293468292

[Jamie Buxton]

McMaster-Carr (mcmaster.com) has a big selection of draw latches. That's the search term you want there. You can probably find a replacement for the OEM ones. Maybe not a 100% replacement, but one good enough to hold the case latched.

[Mike Henderson]

The closest ones I've found so far are from a German company by the name of Sugatsune (https://global.sugatsune.com/eu/en/tech/products/22732_t?category=100802#Catalogue)- but they appear to be an industrial supplier. I don't see any way to order a few latches - maybe 5 to 8.

The ones McMaster Carr carries are a bit too large.

Mike

[Jamie Buxton]

Sugatsune? I thought they are Japanese. At any rate, I've bought Sugatsune hardware -- hinges, lid supports, and such -- from regular online hardware suppliers. So maybe you can find the draw latches too.

[Mel Fulks]

I would check the suitcases at a Restore.

[Sam Puhalovich]

Why-not replace the spring(s)?

[Ralph Boumenot]

Under the English tab on the home page of the Sugatsune site - if you click on it you get a link to the North America distributor.

[Jim Becker]

I buy road case components from https://us.tchweb.com/

[Ronald Blue]

Not sure if these are to large but they are quite similar.
southco.com/en_us_int/latches/draw-latches/fixed-grip-draw-latches/v7-over-center-series-latches

[John K Jordan]

Why-not replace the spring(s)?

I was about to suggest that. I've replaced springs in several latches. Might require drilling out a rivet. Also, finding a spring that fits. I've been buying and saving springs for decades so I can usually find something.

[Mike Henderson]

Thanks for your help and suggestions. I'll try a few things and let you know what works for me.

Mike

[Mark Bolton]

Maybe these? They have small and large. Had this site bookmarked for a keyboard case we were going to make.

https://www.shopmusicare.com/collections/parts/products/a614

[John K Jordan]

We used to have an old spare cello case. I'll check.

Would it work to epoxy a super magnet to the inside of the latch so it is held in the closed position?

[Mike Henderson]

Would it work to epoxy a super magnet to the inside of the latch so it is held in the closed position?

That's what I was thinking. I need to see if the latch material is magnetic. I've just been awfully busy the last few days and haven't been able to put any time into this project.

Mike

[John K Jordan]

That's what I was thinking. I need to see if the latch material is magnetic. I've just been awfully busy the last few days and haven't been able to put any time into this project.

Mike

If not, two thin super magnets, one on each surface may work, depending on the space inside. When epoxying super magnets I usually use a triangular file to scratch up one side to help the glue grip better. Done this a half a zillion times.

[Mike Henderson]

If not, two thin super magnets, one on each surface may work, depending on the space inside. When epoxying super magnets I usually use a triangular file to scratch up one side to help the glue grip better. Done this a half a zillion times.

That's a great idea. I'll look into it. Thanks.

Mike

[Mike Henderson]

I'm happy to report that John's idea of the magnets worked great. I didn't even have to epoxy them - they worked fine just sticking with the magnetism. The lower part of the latch is smaller than the cover so the magnet bonds better to the upper part. When I open the latch, the magnet stays in the upper part. If my wife has any problems, I'll epoxy them, but for now, I'll just leave them.

Thanks for all your help and suggestions. This is MUCH better than replacing the latches - for a number of reasons.

Mike

[John K Jordan]

I'm happy to report that John's idea of the magnets worked great. I didn't even have to epoxy them - they worked fine just sticking with the magnetism. The lower part of the latch is smaller than the cover so the magnet bonds better to the upper part. When I open the latch, the magnet stays in the upper part. If my wife has any problems, I'll epoxy them, but for now, I'll just leave them.

Thanks for all your help and suggestions. This is MUCH better than replacing the latches - for a number of reasons.

Mike

Great! I'll remember that if needed here. One of my sons is a cello player and I've seen several loose latches over the years. When he was in high school his teacher, 1st chair in the Knoxville orchestra, kept her case shut with a nylon strap. I've had cases with latches and zippers and prefer the latches.

Anyone play violin? In a weak moment in an antique shop I picked up a violin case made from wood. My violin has a rigid cordura-covered case. Maybe I'll use the wooden case to carry tools to a demo or something.

[Tom Bender]

John
You live an interesting life.

[John K Jordan]

John
You live an interesting life.

I am extremely blessed with never getting bored!

The girl who trains my horses must have thought I was bored so a few days ago she brought me a wild kitten for a barn cat. That kitten is the most snarly I’ve ever seen, growls instead of purrs, constantly tries to bite and claw me. When I carried it to the house to show my wife she noticed blood dripping from my hand - I didn’t even know I’d been snagged! But I refuse to give up. I get it out of the cage as often as possible and carry it around to see the llamas and peacocks and watch me work in the shop.

Some years ago I caught a large feral manx cat in a trap, it has been terrorizing my other barn cats. It tried to bite through the cage and take my hand off. I got it fixed and all the shots then decided to domesticate it. That was exciting! It took me four months, keeping it in the shop, working with it every day - now it’s fat, happy barn/lap cat!