Friction latch replacement using brass catch from SailboatStuff

[Jammer]

I have posted before about the latches Airstream used on swinging cabinet drawers. I've had problems with them failing, and one or two were poorly aligned. They aren't aesthetic so I'm replacing them as they fail with the brass ones from SailBoatStuff.com.

SailBoatStuff Marine Parts - Hasps, Latches and Catches

I am using the 351610 which is small and provides somewhat less holding force than the original Airstream latches. That's working OK for me for the credenza door (below the counter in the lounge) and for the cupboard doors in the bathroom. The closet door and the large doors under the beds (in a twin anyway) would call for larger latches.

Alignment is critical with these as it is with most spring loaded catches. Even with careful layout work my first attempt resulted in an extra hole in the cabinet.

I used #6 oval head screws. The #8 fasteners recommended by SailBoatStuff are too large.

[Jammer]

For the next one, instead of trying to line everything up through layout work, I taped the tang in place and moved it around until it was right before drilling. That worked better.

Airstream installs rather thick plastic door bumpers. I found it necessary to cut these down to about half their height with a sharp knife to get the tang to engage properly in the latch.

[Jammer]

I'm replacing these as they fail. I think there are around 11 of them in my trailer plus a couple of similar ones for the folding chair door and the water heater door. The second one took about 15 minutes, the first one quite a bit longer.