josef Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 So has anybody made cane bolts for locking a door in place? What I'm curious about is how to hold the cane in either the up or down position. If the bolt is on the upper part of the door so that the cane is pushed up to lock, should there be something other than friction to hold it in place? In some cases I think you can hook the handle over something, but what about when that's not allowed either by desire or design? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 You mean like a spring with detents in the bolt to actually hold it at specific locations rather than just light spring pressure to hold it anywhere in it's travel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 ball detents are also common Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arftist Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 I cut a keyway in the upper mount in the center (farthest from the door. I then fashion a pin (usually an allen head cap srew). In the down position the pin locks the bolt down. To open one must swing the bolt to align the pin with the keyway and lift, then lock it open by swinging the cane handle against the door. This is a pretty simple solution for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josef Posted July 31, 2020 Author Share Posted July 31, 2020 Yeah, springs, balls, or some other kind of friction. I'm looking for something that requires no thought from the user. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 Why reinvent the wheel. Use what is already out there, or make your own. As shown holds it up, reverse to hold it in the down position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBones Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 Forgive my crude drawing but how about this? Cross drill the bolt so a roll pin will go through it. Put a spring in between roll pin and mounting bracket. Pull down and the bolt releases. On the receiving part if a wedge is added it will act as a piece to push down the pin so no effort to close. You could even make a sleeve to conceal the spring and pin. Also i would make a ring on the bottom to pull rather than the arm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josef Posted August 1, 2020 Author Share Posted August 1, 2020 I've discovered that ball detents are readily available and reasonably priced. The bolt I need to make for a customer calls for using rectangular 1/4" x 1/2" stock. Thanks everyone for the ideas. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arftist Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 I can bend 1/4x1/2 with my fingers. When you add the leverage of a door... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anvil Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 Arftist and I do it the same. It's simple and quick. If i use a spring, I do not use a coil spring. I make a small flat spring from "potato planter belt" about 1/8" thick, put in a small arc, and temper for a spring. I then fuller a flat recess into the backplate for the spring to live in. Done deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josef Posted August 2, 2020 Author Share Posted August 2, 2020 1/4 x 1/2 is what the customer wants. It is stronger than you might think over short distances. Also the door it will go onto is only 1" thick and old wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anvil Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 Well, it can be a hard choice. 1/4"x1/2" is pretty light. It will look thin and wispy. It is easily bent. No matter that it is what your client wants, guess who gets the blame when both the above happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluerooster Posted August 2, 2020 Share Posted August 2, 2020 The one in my basement door is counterweighted. The ones on the shop doors are spring loaded, with a chain pull to un lock them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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