Screen Door Magnet. Best 97 cents I ever spent!

I finally got around to modifying my screed door latch on the Bus. It always bugged me that I had to walk down the steps, slide the plastic panel, and hit the latch to get out the door. So I picked up a magnetic cabinet latch at WM and did a quick mod. This is how it works. Pic 1 is what it looks like to start.

Pic-2
First remove the latch on the door frame. It's is just two screws. The cabinet latch from WM is the perfect size to fit next to the door. I reused the screws from the door catch I took off to mount the latch. I mounted the magnet using the bottom hole from the removed door catch to put in the top hole of the magnet. Then drilled a new hole for the bottom hole of the magnet using a 3/32 bit.

Pic-3
The new magnetic catch mounted. It fits in the space between the screen and the door frame.
The existing striker latch is still on the door. The magnet catch mounts just below it.

Pic-4
With the magnet mounted, position the metal closer on top of the existing catch plate with a piece of tape. Then open the door and make sure that metal plate will clear the door frame. You may need to adjust it a few times to get the spacing right. I did.

Pic-5
Then use a 1/8" drill bit to drill the hole for the metal catch plate. On my door the metal latch is aluminum, so it will need to be drilled to get the screw in. I mistakenly thought the latch was plastic. If yours is plastic, be careful not to drill the hole too big as you want the striker plate to be firmly attached. a spot of glue under the plate would also help to make it solid.

Screw the plate on, and test the mod. The magnetic catch is pretty strong. If I find that the catch needs to be stronger, I have room to mount another one next to it to double the holding power.

We have had it on for a few days and LOVE it. This of course depends on if you have an escape artist pet (or child). For just adults, it works great.

Good stuff there Marty. Better than the $5 I spent on a handle to go through the plastic slider.

Pretty Niffty.

So you just have to push or pull on the handle - no more turning is that right?

I don't have a screen door and sometimes I wish I did.

RedandSilver said:

So you just have to push or pull on the handle - no more turning is that right?

Click to expand...

Correct. Now just a push on the frame, or a bump of the knee if your hands are full and the door opens easily. I left the handle catch so the door will still lock open and be held firmly when I shut the door for travel.  I am going to hit HD and check for a black cabinet pull to mount on the outside to make the opening more natural than using the latch.  The DW would like one on  the inside as well for the same purpose.