A closet door catch stops and holds doors closed without the hassle of a sliding bolt on the door. This simple solution keeps the closet door closed all the time. It's also easier to open the door because all you need to do is pull on the handle. Installing one is simple, too. You can buy a ball catch and mounting plate at a hardware store, or make one of your own if you have woodworking experience. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Cut a jig to fashion the ball catch mountings on both the door jamb and the door. To do this, cut a piece of 1-inch-thick wood board to 2 inches wide and 2 inches long on a table saw.
2. Draw a pencil line through the top and bottom of the piece of wood in the center, or 1 inch from the side.
3. Drill a hole through the piece of wood on the center mark with a 7/16-inch drill bit. This is now a jig for your ball catch.
4. Mark where the top corner of the door intersects the door jamb by drawing a pencil line on the door jamb. Clamp the wood jig on the door jamb aligned with the pencil line. Drill a hole into the jamb through the hole in the jig. The jig prevents you from drilling too far into the door jamb.
5. Clamp the jig on the door with the edge of the jig aligned with the edge of the door. Drill a hole into the door through the jig using the hole as a guide again.
6. Remove the jig and insert a ball from a ball catch into the door. Tap it into place with a small mallet. Open and shut the door to initiate the ball catch.
Tags: door jamb, ball catch, Drill hole, into door, pencil line, aligned with, ball catch