Show us your Box Shutter latches.

[toolsntat]

You know the sort, for holding back folding shutters in the box while open.
I need to replace some but they cost a bomb from the usual Google search offerings.
Not sure if a different option was evading my searches.
Cheers, Andy

 

[Cabinetman]

I think you mean, catches to hold the concertinaed folded leaves back in the splay boxes when the window is able to be looked through? I’ve worked on only a few but can’t say that any had catches to do this with, the exposed leaf is just a friction fit against the edge of the box. But I must say I’m not an expert and of course there are numerous different types and styles.
Ian

 

[toolsntat]

Thanks Ian, in this instance the old cut-outs are still there along with a couple of broken latches on another set.
The correct replacement latches are £150 -200ish each and we need 6.
Did buy some that were £50ish but shocking quality from IN BRASS Edinburgh, they're going back....

Cheers, Andy

 

[Jacob]

Whats so special about them? Surely any old cupboard latch system would do?
AFAIR shutters have a fixed knob for opening them which has to be small enough so as not to hit the glass when opened, which is no prob as they can be sited above the meeting rails. And a simple latch/catch, or friction fit as @Cabinetman suggests.

 

[toolsntat]

Whats so special about them? Surely any old cupboard latch system would do?
And a simple latch/catch, or friction fit as @Cabinetman suggests.

Because the other flap is folded onto the same surface as the latch it is cut in almost flush, any protrusion would bind on the flap.
Friction between the closing surfaces is an issue when it comes to painting and a good many end up being just painted over.
Surface mounted on the visual face would work but just look wrong.
I've looked through a few older books with mention of boxed shutters but the latch hasn't been mentioned yet.
Cheers,Andy

 

[niall Y]

Try searching traditional shutter bar, These are the ones I am most familiar with. Depending on their length they add a bit of stiffness across multiple flaps. I made a set for a customer a few years ago from mild steel.

EDIT. Apologies. I misread the question .
I now see your problem....... You need something fairly inconspicuous , but surface mounted with a bolt or latch that can be fully retracted, or even a turn button on a plate, if there is enough room on the frame holding the shutters. Failing that pairs of small flush bolts, top and bottom of the shutters that form the reveal.

 

[toolsntat]

Try searching traditional shutter bar, These are the ones I am most familiar with. Depending on their length they add a bit of stiffness across multiple flaps. I made a set for a customer a few years ago from mild steel.

EDIT. Apologies. I misread the question .
I now see your problem....... You need something fairly inconspicuous , but surface mounted with a bolt or latch that can be fully retracted, or even a turn button on a plate, if there is enough room on the frame holding the shutters. Failing that pairs of small flush bolts, top and bottom of the shutters that form the reveal.

As it happens I need a bespoke shutter bar as well but yes I have considered flush bolts but could only use at bottoms because of tops being out of reach.
Cheers, Andy.

 

[niall Y]

They really have you over a barrel with this particular fitting - it's a case of pay up or go away. They seem to be asking from £150 to £212 for this special latch, this will of course be double for each window opening. If they weren't so specialist the maximum you might expect to pay , would be about £40. per unit.

I have seen cupboard turn knobs used to hold the shutters back - the sort that have a small brass knob and rose with a spindle that has a small armature on the back. The downside is that you have to recess the back of the shutter to accommodate the armature. This will obviously be visible when the shutters are closed, You could do quite a neat job using a Forstner bit, and you might, with luck, be able to disguise the backs with the shutter bar in its closed position.

Best of luck Niall

 

[Tris]

Could something like this be adapted to suit?

https://tradefit.uk/products/rack-b...lsrwqRcZH6G3DKmWy5XQ_AfmfJ9lxLjhoCtg4QAvD_BwE

 

[Tris]

Or this?

https://swanseatimber.co.uk/hardwar...Ty48owaIgELfUyn4x-6BMmmEMdgYFPSRoCuPMQAvD_BwE

 

[toolsntat]

Or this?

https://swanseatimber.co.uk/hardwar...Ty48owaIgELfUyn4x-6BMmmEMdgYFPSRoCuPMQAvD_BwE

Top marks Tris for ingenuity.
The security bolt thumb turn is something I had considered but would need mating up with something with a bit less meat than the security bolt part pictured.
The shutters are 25mm and rebated which corresponds with a rebate on the edge of the box.

I have never seen one of the hook type latch before and although the system is good it would have to be a spot bit bigger and have a brass knob. Great find, thanks.
Cheers, Andy

 

[toolsntat]

They really have you over a barrel with this particular fitting - it's a case of pay up or go away. They seem to be asking from £150 to £212 for this special latch, this will of course be double for each window opening. If they weren't so specialist the maximum you might expect to pay , would be about £40. per unit.

I have seen cupboard turn knobs used to hold the shutters back - the sort that have a small brass knob and rose with a spindle that has a small armature on the back. The downside is that you have to recess the back of the shutter to accommodate the armature. This will obviously be visible when the shutters are closed, You could do quite a neat job using a Forstner bit, and you might, with luck, be able to disguise the backs with the shutter bar in its closed position.

Best of luck Niall

Yes Niall and don't they know it....
For the expense they ought to be perfectly functional but I have seen top £££ stuff which is still short of the mark. Seeing one in the hand would have to be a minimum step towards splashing the cash.

The cupboard turn latch idea has legs worth going for a discovery walk with.
I need a nice old ironmongers with copious boxes of NEW OLD STOCK to peruse
Cheers, Andy

 

[toolsntat]

What I'm working with, minus the closing edge of the box....
The white area is where it lives.

 

[toolsntat]

So, moving on with a different train of thought I'm looking for good quality cabinet door mortice latches to possibly attach a brass angled cover to and so give me a similar product.
Looking at this one at the moment and have asked for the sizes with more clarity.

https://boulters-chandlery.co.uk/ep...bbb6-36bcebf3b8a0.sf/en_GB/?ObjectID=12004245

All I then need is a suitable turn to operate them.

Any other supplier out there for quality cabinet mortise latches?

Cheers, Andy

 

[Cabinetman]

Thanks for the photos but unfortunately I’m having difficulty working out what’s what, any chance of a pic from just a bit further away to put it into context?
Just asked my swimbo who knows all about old houses and fittings, she said the said the same as me that she hasn’t ever seen any catches to keep them in their boxes, perhaps it’s geographical. Do they actually need catches?
Ian
Edit sorry but the link to Boulters doesn’t show anything catchy.

 

[Sgian Dubh]

To be honest, I don't understand your question. I've lived in a few flats in, for example, Edinburgh, and the shutters simply folded into their casing. There were never any catches to keep the shutters closed within the cases, they just folded in. I don't really understand why a catch is needed. Can't you just fold the shutters away and leave them there? Are they springing out for some reason? Slainte.

 

[toolsntat]

Thanks for the photos but unfortunately I’m having difficulty working out what’s what, any chance of a pic from just a bit further away to put it into context?
Just asked my swimbo who knows all about old houses and fittings, she said the said the same as me that she hasn’t ever seen any catches to keep them in their boxes, perhaps it’s geographical. Do they actually need catches?
Ian
Edit sorry but the link to Boulters doesn’t show anything catchy.

Apologies for not checking link activity. Now sorted.
It is so much nicer quality having this finesse of them staying put and someone did it before so.....
To be honest yes those pictures are very hard to interpret as the old cut outs need reworking and your seeing the mess that is left.
Here is the full on view without any outer archs or box which the catches clip onto

 

[toolsntat]

To be honest, I don't understand your question. I've lived in a few flats in, for example, Edinburgh, and the shutters simply folded into their casing. There were never any catches to keep the shutters closed within the cases, they just folded in. I don't really understand why a catch is needed. Can't you just fold the shutters away and leave them there? Are they springing out for some reason? Slainte.

This is an old vicarage on land donated and possibly paid for by what used to be a very grand estate so I assume the boat was pushed out a bit.
The idea of having working catches is being pursued so I aim to please.
Cheers, Andy

 

[Cabinetman]

Thanks for the pic, that shows a nice old set.
The old catches must have been very slim to not interfere with the next shutter of each three. It’s a shame they don’t still exist, I would be interested to see them.

 

[Sgian Dubh]

This is an old vicarage on land donated and possibly paid for by what used to be a very grand estate so I assume the boat was pushed out a bit.
The idea of having working catches is being pursued so I aim to please.
Cheers, Andy

I see now. Thanks for the better picture. In truth it still seems the catches are sort of redundant or not needed, but I can understand you trying to meet what I assume is your client's wishes. Slainte.