Worked all day on control box...Question

[HeadRusch]

For a front latch, what do you guys suggest? At the Depot today getting that "costs more than solid gold" Lexan, I couldn't find ONE latch that looked like it would work.

I'm usually pretty "geometric"....you know, look at something and go "oh yeah if I put that here, and that there...I can make a latch" but nothing I saw today seemed to make sense.

Heelp.

I have an "idea" for one, but it would be made by me out of wood..and I dont know if I wanna make something that clunky....

[Cue-Ball]

There was a post about this exact same topic not long ago.  Basically, most cabinets seem to use a piano hinge in the front and then T-hinges in the back.  I couldn't find the particular post in a quick scan of the forum but the search might be able to get you a few relevant hits.  If you still can't find what you're looking for i can take some pics of my control panel to send you.

EDIT: check out this thread and it should give you an idea.  XPhile posted a pic about 1/2 way down the page that shows one possible option.  Mine work similar to this but are curved and made of steel.  When you latch them down, the steel straightens and holds the CP top firmly down.  It's hard to explain using text, but is a simple design that works great.
http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=5574;start=0

[HeadRusch]

Ok..that gives me some ideas anyhow.....My panel is large, 48" long, the box underneath is 44".  I couldn't find a decent piano hinge that was sufficiently long enough, so I got a couple of door-type hinges (though not as large) which ought to do the trick.

I just have to make sure I plan ahead so I can actually swing the panel up without catching the corners of the panel...Hmmm...glad I just thought of that

<scribbling note to self>

[Cue-Ball]

The piano hinge doesn't have to run the entire length of the CP.  My CP is about 39" or so wide and the piano hinge on the front is only about 16" or so long.  The door hinges will probably work too, but i'm just saying you don't have to use a super long hinge in order for it to be sturdy.  I think the piano hinge that they sell at Home Depot is about 24" long.  You could always cut one of those in half and mount the two halves a foot or two apart.