Drawers difficult to open (latch issue)

Topic: Drawers difficult to open (latch issue) (Read 391 times) previous topic - next topic

Drawers difficult to open (latch issue)

June 25, 2016, 10:14:15 pm

We have 3 drawers that are all very difficult to open. They all have the little metal bar latch underneath the drawer in the center that you push up on to release and pull drawer outwards. Does anyone know how to adjust, or bend these things to make them work better?

Re: Drawers difficult to open (latch issue)

Reply #1 – June 25, 2016, 10:16:37 pm

Here is a photo of the latch.

Re: Drawers difficult to open (latch issue)

Reply #2 – June 25, 2016, 10:22:47 pm

Foretravel will sometimes put in a flat head screw on the bottom of the frame opening of the draw cabinet with the head facing the inside of the cabinet. Screwing it in or out should adjust where the sheet metal tab engages. The screw is, of course, a square head and you need to remove the drawer to get to it.
If it's hard to unlatch I would imagine turning the screw in more should give it more play to release.

Re: Drawers difficult to open (latch issue)

Reply #3 – June 25, 2016, 10:42:53 pm

Quote from: Siren – June 25, 2016, 10:14:15 pm

We have 3 drawers that are all very difficult to open. They all have the little metal bar latch underneath the drawer in the center that you push up on to release and pull drawer outwards. Does anyone know how to adjust, or bend these things to make them work better?

From the picture it looks like it has been moved once. Did it wear a groove where it was originally? Look up where it was contacting before. If you unscrew it you can bend the latch closer to the drawer. Trial and error until you like the result. Too loose and drawer can slide out too tight and it will be tight to press as it is now.

Re: Drawers difficult to open (latch issue)

Reply #4 – June 25, 2016, 10:43:47 pm

I removed many of the spring latches and replaced them with Southco Grabber latches. Some seemed just right. Some were really hard to stick the ends of our fingers into the small space and push the spring bar up. We tried adjusting the screws, that is very touchy. Tried bending the spring. Finally just replaced them with the Southco latches. The suck the draw in tight and hold it in place securely. We have never had a draw open unexpectedly.

Stacking cans

Re: Drawers difficult to open (latch issue)

Reply #5 – June 25, 2016, 11:40:04 pm

Quote from: JohnFitz – June 25, 2016, 10:22:47 pm

Foretravel will sometimes put in a flat head screw on the bottom of the frame opening of the draw cabinet with the head facing the inside of the cabinet. Screwing it in or out should adjust where the sheet metal tab engages. The screw is, of course, a square head and you need to remove the drawer to get to it.
If it's hard to unlatch I would imagine turning the screw in more should give it more play to release.

Very nice! Thanks! This seems to have worked! We had no idea there was a screw under there.

Roger - when we get together in August, Douglas and I are coming over and playing with your kitchen drawer latches. I'm intrigued on how they work with a drawer. We have a few of these on cabinet doors, but never thought to use them on drawers.

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Drawers difficult to open (latch issue)

June 25, 2016, 10:14:15 pm

Re: Drawers difficult to open (latch issue)

Reply #1 – June 25, 2016, 10:16:37 pm

Re: Drawers difficult to open (latch issue)

Reply #2 – June 25, 2016, 10:22:47 pm

Re: Drawers difficult to open (latch issue)

Reply #3 – June 25, 2016, 10:42:53 pm

Re: Drawers difficult to open (latch issue)

Reply #4 – June 25, 2016, 10:43:47 pm

Re: Drawers difficult to open (latch issue)

Reply #5 – June 25, 2016, 11:40:04 pm

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