canada goose Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I have been asked to make a latch set for a big front door . The style called a Suffolk latch has been rejected because it leaves a hole right through the door where the thumb bar goes. This has been deemed unacceptable. The other possible style ( I have only seen pictures of it ) is called a cottage latch and has escutcheon plates on both sides and operates with a twisting action to operate the latch bar. The handles on both sides seem to be a ring as often as not. My problem lies in finding a good blacksmithy way to put this together (rather than drilling tapping setscrews etc). I am also open to suggestions as to any type of latch which might work while being fairly air tight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfootnampa Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 The Suffolk style latch can also have escutcheons and can be a lever latch or a twist ring as easily as the cottage style! The easy way is to use a standard door latch set and replace the handles and escutcheons with hand forged ones... I've done that and it works nicely but is not quite the same as having a fully hand forged latch set. I see no big advantage to one style over the other as far as fit is concerned, THAT magic is in the details! The making of such items is quite technical and there are several books which cover it... seems like you need one. Doing a custom latch set for a big door is a pretty challenging way to get started!!! Expect to make several and sell the best one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I tend to agree with bigfoot on the serviceability of one style over the other, but for some illustrations which could show you some construction techniques I'd try Early American Ironwork by Sonn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Olivo Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Often times I have seen them riveted together using tenon joinery or held on using hand made nails. Tom Latine does some beautiful pieces of door hardware and there was an episode on pbs woodwright's shop that I believe covered a type of latch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canada goose Posted January 3, 2013 Author Share Posted January 3, 2013 doc, do you mean early american wrought iron ? At 150$ Ill have to find some where to get a look at it before I lay out the cash.Thats what my searches find ,or are there other books? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfootnampa Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 This book looks like it might be a good start for you... I don't own it. But I have bought smithing books from this seller. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Spruce-Forge-Manual-Locksmithing-the-blacksmithing-/250557801410?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item3a5668a3c2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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