Step-by-Step Guidelines for Setting Up a Suffolk Latch

Are you curious to know the setting of the Suffolk Latch? As you know it is also known as a thumb latch, which is a fairly straightforward latch. It may be used on ledged and braced inside cottage-type doors in addition to gates and exterior doors. Moreover, being a latch alone, a secure lock should also be installed for security if used on an external door. If we talk about the Suffolk latch, it is a straightforward drop-down bar and latch. Due to this, fox door knocker and latch is perfect for door latching in historic buildings. 

So, you can buy plain square latches or more elaborate vintage ones. Otherwise, keep in mind that due to the placement of the latch, the door will only swing open in one direction. While choosing the latch you should be fashionable, and tasteful, and allow the door to be opened from both sides. If we compare the Norfolk latch to the Suffolk latch, the main distinction between the two is that, aside from the fitting. Additionally, the Suffolk latch lacks a back plate to which the handles are attached. Read more about locksmith services fort valley.

Setting Up a Suffolk Latch

1. First of all, mark the location of the latch on the door where you will go first. After this, the door’s latch should be placed so that it will be convenient for both you and other users.
2. In order to maintain the room’s symmetry, there are multiple doors on the same wall. So, attempt to set their hinges and latches all at the same height. You should draw a pencil line 50 mm from the door’s edge. 

Now, at the location where you want the latch’s thumb to go, cross that line with a horizontal line. Then, 30 mm above the first line, draw a second line. This will delineate the opening you intend to create.

3. In this step, make a slot for the handle and bar with a router or a drill bit of 10 mm. It is suggested to work patiently and meticulously to avoid getting splinters or breakouts.
4. The handle and bar may be fitted once if you have a slot that is the right size as per the need. So, before lowering the handle so that the bar is at the bottom of the slot. You need to be positioned so that it is at a 90-degree angle to the door. Once you are satisfied with the placement, mark the screw holes with a pencil. Also, take the handle off, and then drill the holes.
5. The Suffolk latch may typically be installed wherever you need it to be on the door. But if you’re installing many of them on different doors, you’ll want to keep the height of the latches uniform. This is because it can appear a little strange if they all vary.

You should also try to attach the latch to a stile, a horizontal rail, or a ledge. Depending on the design and thickness, you might need to attach a block to receive the Suffolk latch.

It is ideal to fit at a level that is comfortable for you to operate. The opening of the latch shouldn’t need constant bending or reaching up. Normally, anything between the height of the waist and a little bit below the shoulder line is acceptable.

It’s now time to attach the latch bar and staple. After this, lay the latch bar first, with the horizontal portion towards the ground. You need to use a pencil, trace the screw holes, then drill the holes and tighten the screws to secure the latch bar.

6. After completely tightening the screw, back it off just a little bit. So that the bar has some flexibility without being too loose.
7. Now, hammer the staple through the wood, then bend the spikes over to the other side for a totally realistic appearance. Otherwise, not all contemporary doors will support this. You need to use a screw-on staple if you don’t have access to a thick ledge or brace to hammer through.
8. Then, the next task is to fit the keep once the staple has been fastened. The keep needs to be set up properly so that the lever will fall properly into it whenever you close the door.
9. After completing the above steps, close the door and take note of where the latch bar rests. Especially, on the surround to position the keep properly. Subtract a line from the latch bar if you want to position the keep’s interior here. You should place where you want it to sit by drilling. 

This drilling will be done in a small hole under the line, and then hammer into the frame. You can move the keep up, down, and left, right, as you work if you do this cautiously and softly. With this, you can secure the stay in position once you are entirely satisfied with the position.

10. Test your Suffolk Latch, in case all went according to plan. Moreover, it should open without difficulty and close with a satisfying clunk as the latch retracts. The keeper is the last component of your Suffolk Latch. 

Even though this is a simple part to install, you still want to make sure you do it correctly. So, the latch closes with a satisfying clunk. Each of your doors will be slightly unique and each Suffolk Latch is handcrafted. You must take exact measurements to position the keeper properly.

While working, make sure the latch bar is resting against the door surround before closing the door. On the underside of the latch bar, lightly trace a line with a pencil. The inside edge of the area where the latch bar will contact the keeper as it indicated by this line. Then, drill a small pilot hole at the proper inward angle from the edge, especially right beneath the line.

Tools needed while setting the latch include electric drill/driver, square, rule, 10mm twist drill, and 3 mm twist drill. In addition to this, chisels (1/4″, 1/2″, and 3/4″), pencil, sandpaper, rounded file, hammer or mallet

Final Thoughts

To summarise, the door handles you most likely have in your home today. Generally, they are lower on the door than the Suffolk latches that have been used historically. So, it is important to put the keeper in the frame with care and secure it with a screw. Make sure that there is some latitude at this point you can tap the keeper up, down, left, and right. This will be done until you get it in the ideal position. Once you are satisfied, fasten the keeper with one of the provided screws. We believe if you complete all the above-discussed steps, you have a Suffolk Latch that fits you exactly.

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