Stainless cabinet latch (industrial strength!)

admin

Hi there!My wife has been working as a Mary Kay beauty consultant for a while. Recently she and a few other cooworkers moved to a new office. They share the place and also the storage space, so they don’t need to carry all their products back and forth.As means of theft protection, some of the cabinets and drawers are secured by flimsy latches such as the ones in these pictures. Some of them are installed wrong (screws are accessible).Other cabinets have integrated locks… but the key is shared among several cabinets… which doesn’t make any sense. Also, they had some uncomfortable situations of stuff disappearing from cabinets and such.Anyway, I decided to put together something a tad more hefty. And being an amateur welder… we all know how it goes….Some scrap stainless sheet (4mm thick), a piece of 15mm round stock, and a piece of a stainless spear (cut from a bent speargun spear).I drilled through the round stock with a bit slightly bigger than the makeshift pin, aligned, welded, drilled, dressed some welds and voila… Half of the work is doneThe other half.Everything was stick welded with 2,5mm rods at 65 amps (75 for the plug welds). Final result.Installed.I don’t think it is going anywhere. The latch is secured with four 6mm countershunk head bolts on each side. On the backside I installed wide flange washers and lock nuts. When closed, bolts are not accessible.The latch also protects the original keyhole for added security. Not shown is a biiiiig hefty padlock (made right here in Spain)I think that if someone wants to access this cabinet… they will have to destroy it in the process.I hope you liked it! Mikel
Reply:That ought to work to keep out Mary K employees. I got something in my back pocket that will have it open in a matter of seconds though. But it should suit the purpose for what it is intended, in most cases.
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauThat ought to work to keep out Mary K employees. I got something in my back pocket that will have it open in a matter of seconds though. But it should suit the purpose for what it is intended, in most cases.
Reply:Originally Posted by Mikel_24Do they make battery angle grinders that small or you got yourself some REAL cargo pants? Mikel
Reply:That's nice work there.  I don't want to detract from it, but lock hasps are something I generally buy.  Doing the case hardening myself just isn't worth it, and the time/materials cost of DIY for this just cannot compete with store bought.  But what you have now is still a major improvement from what you had, and doing it for the fun of it and the experience is certainly understandable.BTW, for the around the corner drawer locking solution, you should look at how a filing cabinet lock bar works.
Reply:Great job and good solution to the problem. I am sure your wife is proud of you and appreciates your help.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Glad I don't have to worry about my makeup being stolen. I normally just wear dirt. Good looking clasp. That should keep the office gals honest. I'm sure your wife is happy. Happy wife, happy life.
Reply:when you design/build a safe or a hasp for the first time, you start to think like a thief. and it just depends how bad the thief wants whatever you are trying to lock up..but im not trying  to be discouraging..nice work ..
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireGlad I don't have to worry about my makeup being stolen. I normally just wear dirt. Good looking clasp. That should keep the office gals honest. I'm sure your wife is happy. Happy wife, happy life.