Replies

1. 
   IanC | Apr 29, 2003 11:23pm | #1

   Rod, I've used both expensive (Brusso solid brass) and inexpensive (Knapp Voight brass plated) bullet catches.  Both were spring loaded.  My problem with them is that the gap between door and frame must be identical on all cabinets for them to sound and feel the same.  Also the gap seemed a little big for my taste.  The bullet does go on the face frame, if it were on the door, it would wear a groove on the frame as it passed over to the catch.  I suppose you could put it either top or bottom.  I also found that the spring in the cheap catches was too strong  so that they put pressure on the hinges.  In other words, the bullet didn't depress before any play in the hinges was used up.

   I'm sure you're trying to avoid the ugly magnetic catches and bullets are a more elegant solution but I personally found them aggravateing to install.  Buy a few at the local hardware, give it a try.  Can't mess anything up since the installation hole will probably be hidden.

   Ian Cummins

2. 
   LeeGrinding1 | Apr 30, 2003 01:31am | #2

   K V makes the best one out there that I've used. It's adjustable but the flaw is that the spring is too stiff. I replace the spring with a much softer one and they work just as elegantly as you expect a bullet catch to work.

   Ian, I'd guess the frustration you're feeling is caused by nonadjustable versions. There are a few tricks to installing them but the key is to use the adjustable version with a softer spring. I've thought about contacting K-V just to mention my two cents worth but have'nt yet.

   Lee

   Lee Grindinger

   Furniture Carver

1. 
   IanC | Apr 30, 2003 03:07am | #4

   Hi Lee, Yes mine are non-adjustable and I don't think I could even change out the spring.  Bought several a few years ago and haven't looked for anything better.  The springs are so stiff that it hurts your thumb to depress the bullet. I'll take a look at the adjustable type. Thanks. 

3. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Apr 30, 2003 02:08am | #3

   Bullet catches are tricky to install.  You have to get the clearances exactly right.  For kitchen uppers, you'll probably distort the box a little as you install it, and then the bullet catches might not work as well as they did in the shop.   Instead, I like magnetic catches.   As another poster observes, the ones at your local builders store look pretty ugly, and they don't work very well.   Look around higher-class places like http://www.leevalley.com and http://www.wwhardware.com for better ones.   Some mount into the edge of the cabinet boards, and adjust by screwing in and out.   For an even nicer version, buy high strength rare-earth magnets (Lee Valley sells them), and bury them inside the door and the carcass.  Bore a hole, stick the magnets in, and plug the hole with a plug cut with a plug cutter.   Works very well.

4. 
   JeffKurtz | Apr 30, 2003 03:13am | #5

   I really like the idea that Jamie has about using rare earth magnets.  I've got several pieces of old Victorian furniture that have bullet catches and they haven't been kind to the joints in the doors - really takes a lot of force to open and close them.

   Jeff

1. 
   DonStephan | Apr 30, 2003 04:09am | #6

   There was a nice article a while back in FWW on installing bullet catches if anyone interested.

1. 
   Riggar37 | Apr 30, 2003 10:16pm | #7

   Thanks to everyone for the comments. Will check out rare-earth magnets.  Rodger