Posted on 01/05/2020 10:00:00 AM PST by ExGeeEye
I have inherited an old piece of furniture that has been in my family longer than I have. We called it a "buffet"; I have heard similar items called a "sideboard". It was part of the dining room set bought second- or fifth-hand by my newly-wed parents in 1963.
It has drawers, originally for cutlery, silverware, etc.; a long drawer, for table linens; and two side compartments for such things as candlesticks, salt-and-pepper sets, and the like. These side compartments close with swinging doors and spring-loaded ball-bearing (?) latches which engage brass concave plates in the doors.
BUT!
As long as I can remember, the latch for the left-hand door didn't work, and just stayed shut out of courtesy.
Today, finding myself idle, I took a look and found a round-headed wood screw in the place where the latch on that side should be. It wasn't even screwed in; it was just placed in the hole and had been there undisturbed for Spock knows how many years and moves (we were an Air Force family). I took it out with no effort.
I've taken a picture of the latch for the right-hand door. It appears to be a quarter-inch or so in diameter. i am in hope that this was a standard item of hardware and that a replacement may be found for the other side.
Thanks to anyone who can point me aright, and greater thanks to anyone who can reasonably provide one.
Search “spring loaded ball catch”.
Never be idle. That’s when all trouble starts.
If a piece is as old as you say, there was no such thing as standards back then. The various manufacturers made or had made their own proprietary Hardware. It probably sounds fairly cheesy, but I would replace it with a magnetic latch and little plate on the facing door temporarily. You could glue or velcro them in so that if by chance you ever found the correct original item, and furthermore found it on a piece of furniture that someone was willing to give up, you could knife it out and do your proper replacement.
Correct
Yes roller ball catch. Will need diameter and possibly length. Good hardware store/lumber yard should have source to order them.
Home Depot? https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-Satin-Nickel-Latch-Adjustable-Ball-Catch-15389/202045104
Lowes? https://www.lowes.com/pl/Ball-catches-Door-hardware-Hardware/4294395585
It is an old item, but still made. Most today are imported.
A really good independent Hardware outlet should have multiple sources and probably can fit your opening without modification.
this one is by KV hardware. Amazon might carry them...about $10...they come in various diameters, the barrel insert dimension. Fairly common
I was thinking,
.
Open the
Pod Bay Doors,
Hal!
.
Really,
I love old Hardware,
Hinges, hasps,handles
and Locks.
I’ve got a collection
Of old Footlockers and
Repaired several.
You’re piece may
Be difficult to
Replace,
But easy to “Fix.”
Good Luck!
I wish I could help, because I’ve always had an affinity for really nice old wood furniture like that. Have you looked for the woodworker’s stamp or label to get a manufacturer’s name?
What about Rockler’s? They have a LOT of cabinet hardware. I’ve ordered stuff from them before to fix windows and cabinets.
I was in the biz. That’s called a bullet catch.
Whoops....should have said bullet catches less than $10 a pair
Your written description brought back a memory of my grandmother’s sideboard. For Christmas/New Year’s it was constantly covered with desserts and home made candies like fudge, but my absolute favorite was the date nut roll.
I have no idea how to fix it but wish you would post a complete picture for memory lane.
No poteça?
no, but I forgot divinity. I didn’t like that much.
I have purchased all sorts of items, including many replacement items for old furniture from them foe several decades.
Poteça (say po-TEET-za)
======================================================
SWEET ROLL RICH DOUGH:
2 pkg Fleischman's active dry yeast
1/2 cup very warm water (110° to 115°F)
1/2 cup lukewarm milk, scalded then cooled
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
2 eggs, well beaten
1/2 cup soft shortening, butter or margarine
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp vanilla
4 1/2 to 5 cups sifted flour
Before starting turn oven to "warm" for just 5 minutes, turn it off. It will hold enough heat to provide a warm atmosphere.
In a small bowl place warm water with 1 tsp sugar, sprinkle yeast into it; in two minutes yeast should swell.
In a large bowl (I use a 4 qt. Presto Cooker so when the dough has risen to the top I know that it has doubled), put the luke warm milk, sugar, salt, soft shortening, honey and vanilla. After shortening has melted add 2 1/2 cups flour. mix until smooth with a wooden spoon. Then add the beaten eggs and working yeast and mix some more. Add 2 more cups of flour and mix. Turn out on lightly floured board, using some of the remaining flour. Kneed 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic, adding only as much of the remaining flour as necessary to prevent dough from being sticky (dough will be soft). Place dough in greased Presto Cooker, turn once to bring greased side up, cover with dap cloth to prevent crust from forming and let rise in a warm oven until double in bulk, about one hour.
Prepare filling and pan while dough is rising. Grease pan and cut out a liner out of a heavy brown paper bag (or use parchment paper) to fit pan and grease it.
======================================================
WALNUT FILLING:
3 cups walnut meats (1 1/2 8 oz cans) ground fine
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp lemon extract
1 4 oz can Carnation milk
2 tbsp honey
3 eggs well beaten
1 small box (1 1/2 oz) raisins, plumped
Mix all the ingredients, except the raisins, well. Do not pre-cook.
======================================================
Use a card table or other large surface. Place a large cloth or waxed paper on the table, tape edges to hold in place.
Lightly flour. Roll dough out to an oblong 30"X20". Spread filling evenly to the edges. Dot with plumped raisins.
Starting at the wide side of the oblong, lift the cloth and let the dough roll up like a jelly roll. Pinch the edges to seal. Shape into an oblong snail shape with seams on top. Make it so it will fit the size pan you use. I use 13x9x2. (My mother uses bread loaf pans without the paper, and makes them into logs, not snails - nully) Slide a cookie sheet under the cloth and cover the roll with the baking pan, and flip the dough into the pan. The seam should be at the bottom of the pan. Let rise until doubled, about 1 hour. Heat oven to 325° (slow moderate). Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until brown. If top browns too quickly, place a piece of brown paper on it.
Place on wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and place on wire rack to cool completely. Cover with a cloth and do not remove the liner until ready to slice and serve.
First thought is that un-openable drawer was placed there for a reason,....Maybe not to keep people out, but to confine an unmentionable evil therein.
The shelf at the bottom is resting on foam electronics padding, on the support framework between the legs.
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