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Old 03-15-2015, 12:29 PM   #1
bncinwv
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Cabinet Struts and Magnetic Cabinet Latches

Got energetic again today and pulled out the pending mod list and decided to wipe a couple of items off of it. I had been planning on installing magnetic cabinet latches on all cabinets to supplement the OEM latches that as everyone knows are not the best. We have been strapping cabinets with Velcro and are hopeful that the magnetic latches will eliminate the strapping exercise. They seem to hold well on the pull tests that I did, so time will tell if it cures the opening cabinet problem. I also added them to some of the drawers but ran out of latches. Also completed the cabinet struts for the bedroom over-the-bed cabinets to eliminate having to hold them open since they open vertically. Here are a couple of pics of what was done. Still have about eighteen magnetic latches to install after installing seventeen today.

Representative pics of the latches and strike plates:





and the finished cabinet struts on the bedroom cabinets:





All in all, a pretty satisfying day of accomplishments.

Bingo
 
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Old 03-15-2015, 01:41 PM   #2
Jay Bird
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These mods will help. We did the same thing.
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Old 03-15-2015, 01:57 PM   #3
DQDick
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We also did that and it helped for sure. Still velcro a couple due to what is in there. The struts made Joyce a happy camper.
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Old 03-15-2015, 03:05 PM   #4
1retired06
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Very nice
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Old 03-15-2015, 03:30 PM   #5
DarMar
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We did the struts, guess now it's time to count up the latches required, nice!
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Old 03-16-2015, 03:39 AM   #6
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Bingo, we don't have the overhead problem in the 3402RL, but I'd like to loose the Velcro as well. I can't wait to hear a report of how the cabinet magnetic latches work after a road trip.

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Old 03-16-2015, 04:03 AM   #7
bncinwv
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The first true test will be in May for Cathy's Masters Degree graduation at Liberty University. No better test than a trip down the West Virginia Turnpike!! Will update the thread with the results.
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Old 03-16-2015, 12:29 PM   #8
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bncinwv: Did you get the struts at CW?
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Old 03-16-2015, 04:09 PM   #9
bncinwv
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by PackerFan

bncinwv: Did you get the struts at CW?
Yes, I just used the single screw attachment kind for the cabinet wall since they worked for us just fine in the 3750FL. Some have recommended the double bracket kind (two screws on each end) as being better, but as mentioned, we have had no experience with the ones we used.
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Old 03-19-2015, 12:58 PM   #10
warren0620
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Hi
I have the cabinet struts,but have not mounted them.
How do you determine where to attach them?
I have no instructions and do not want to randomly screw holes.
Any suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks
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Old 03-19-2015, 03:26 PM   #11
bncinwv
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If you have the same type of doors and the struts from CW, I measured down from the inside of the cabinet facing 5 and 3/4 " and marked the place for the screw. Then took a drill bit and drilled a hole smaller than the screw. Don't forget the cabinets are hard wood and you will have to drill a pilot hole for all screws. The next step was to screw the bottom round end of the strut to the inside of the frame. The door was then lifted to the desired opened height (just short of the ceiling is where I chose) and the strut was swung up and placed against the back of the door and the holes marked for drilling in the door. Be sure to check that the strut body itself will not contact the cabinet facing during this step. Careful drilling the door, you do not want to go clear through. I used a piece of tape on the bit that set the length of the screw. If you follow this procedure, assuming your cabinets are the same over the bed or over the microwave ones, it is a snap to install the struts.
Bingo
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Old 03-19-2015, 06:42 PM   #12
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Thanks Bingo for that info!
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Old 03-20-2015, 05:44 AM   #13
jcurtis934
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Will be driving downto ft myers to get a strut for over the microwave. I have about four examples where factory did not drill and split out the stiles...which I had to glue and clamp, etc. So heed bingo's advice to pre-drill...don't be sorry afterwards. John
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Old 03-20-2015, 03:51 PM   #14
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To add to what Bingo said, I used the metal hook from Command Strip as the third hand. The hook held the door open at just the right height. This allowed you to be able to use both hands to install the struts. See the link below. This is a slide show. Pause on the cabinet. The other picture is my autoformer setup.

http://s858.photobucket.com/user/GPe...ow/3850%20Mods
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Old 08-15-2015, 09:36 AM   #15
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We took our first long trip with our new 2015 Montana Mountaineer 310RET over the Memorial Day weekend, from NE of Detroit to near Morris, IL. Upon arrival I found the RH lower kitchen cabinet had opened. After closing I began extending the room slide and heard the sickening sound of crunching wood. I hadn't noticed the LH lower kitchen cabinet door had opened as it was hidden by the slide moulding. Fortunately, it only popped the hinge screws and was easily repaired. After looking around and discussing with others in our camping club we decided to add Dreambaby mag Locks. We found them to make the doors virtually impossible to open once latched and can't be seen from the outside so aesthetic quality is maintained.
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Old 08-16-2015, 04:32 PM   #16
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A great idea. Thanks.

Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Former StClairSailor

After looking around and discussing with others in our camping club we decided to add Dreambaby mag Locks. We found them to make the doors virtually impossible to open once latched and can't be seen from the outside so aesthetic quality is maintained.
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Old 08-17-2015, 06:42 AM   #17
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Looks great, We have magnets & plates, need to just do it!
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Old 08-17-2015, 07:10 AM   #18
bncinwv
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As an update, after a tip to Florida and back, we still have a couple of problematic cabinet doors and a couple of drawers that insist they would rather be open than shut. I like the concept of the Dreambaby locks, and may use them as a supplement on the problem areas if the magnetic catches that I have installed cannot be adjusted a little more.
Bingo
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Old 08-17-2015, 02:37 PM   #19
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We'll be at the MOC Rally next month if anyone wants to see these magnetic cabinet locks.
John
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Old 08-18-2015, 10:28 AM   #20
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I use these locks and they do not come open. The ball grip is adjustable.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/hardware...=3,41399,41405
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