Replies

1. 
   RalphBarker | Dec 09, 2011 09:56am | #1

   rare earth magnets

   I've only used small ones for cabinet latches. Even the small ones have significant holding power. If you need to reduce the "hold", try deepening the recess a hair.

1. 
   actuary | Dec 09, 2011 10:10am | #2

   rare earth magnets

   Does small mean 1/2" or 3/8" or 1/4"? What's the appoximate size of the cabinet door?

1. 
   RalphBarker | Dec 10, 2011 09:57am | #7

   "small" defined

   I've mostly used 1/4" ones for this, but large, heavy doors might require something larger.

2. 
   bones | Dec 09, 2011 10:27am | #3

   use two up and down

   small is fine.  They have great holding power.  Do a mock up and test.  I use two.  One in the bottom or top of the door depending on application with a second in the oposing face.  Use a fortsnerbit to recess and I cover with a plug and they are not visible.  ONE WARNING:  use a sharpie pen to park the pos/neg sides so when you put them in you don't wind up with a ++/-- situation and the door won't close (don't ask how i know).  They work great and they are invisible.  I hate the metal plate ones I just think they look tacky.   Small ones are fine remember you just want the door to stay closed and not need a pry bar to open it.  

1. 
   Quickstep | Dec 09, 2011 04:13pm | #5

   Good tip on marking the poles. Question -- Do they have to be perfectly aligned to grab?

3. 
   wdwerker | Dec 09, 2011 01:05pm | #4

   K&J magnetics has  pull force calcuated for all the differnt magnets and how they are used.

    www.kjmagnetics.com/

   I have applied thin veneer to cover the magnet and steel washer leaving no visible catch.  Get a 3/8 inch ball magnet and use it to find the nails in drywall as a stud finder, leaves no marks and doesn't need batteries.

   Steve Duncan (cabinetmaker)

   http://www.steveduncan.com

4. 
   actuary | Dec 09, 2011 05:32pm | #6

   rare earth magnets solution

   Thanks for all your comments. I used a single 1/2" magnet in a 5/8" steel cup going against a thin steel plate to close a cabinet door that's 21"x30" made out of fiberboard. The hold is just slightly more than I would have liked (although it's ok) so I may put a piece of double sided tape on the plate to reduce the hold strength.

   Wouldn't it be useful for FWW to generate a little table showing magnet size, door size and type of wood (i.e., indicating its weight)? It would take away a lot of guesswork.