A springy thingy

[tractors1]

Adapted a device used to hold open hatch covers I saw on a scuba boat to hold that little door over the microwave open that ETI left hanging. Press on the spring and it folds inward, letting the door close and latch. When open, the spring is rock solid. Tried to take a pic from inside the cabinet to show it folded.

[Zardoz]

Very effective and helpful. Any source information for this or was it in a junk drawer in your shop? Thanks.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Zardoz

Very effective and helpful. Any source information for this or was it in a junk drawer in your shop? Thanks.

Got it from West Marine; part number 0045-2. Think it was $10 but you supply your own screws.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/moonli...24_720_003_509

Wondering if I could put one on the front storage box instead of that goofy support thing ETI installed; it's stainless steel.

[Jim Bennett]

Does the spring hold the cabinet door closed, like the spring mechanisms Escape uses?

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Does the spring hold the cabinet door closed, like the spring mechanisms Escape uses?

No - the spring only supports the door in the open position. Once bent by your finger, the spring folds and the door closes easily. The ETI roller catch remains on the other side of the door and keeps the door closed same as before.

When not straight, the long spring has hardly any force on the door. The weight of the little door alone brings it down to touching the roller catch.

[gbaglo]

Why not use the same mechanism as on all the other cupboards?

[Jim Bennett]

Thanks, Charlie. Those springs are new to me.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Why not use the same mechanism as on all the other cupboards?

ETI told me (I asked) their standard mechanism is not available in the short length that would be needed to use it on this small size door.

[Zardoz]

Charlie - a while back you posted a similar fixed-length door support: "The spring hatch holder. From West Marine, catalog # 120030, Mfg. No. 0045-2, Hatch Support Spring, 8 1/2". Approx. $9 each, free shipping." Didn't it work in your Escape? -Rich

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Zardoz

Charlie - a while back you posted a similar fixed-length door support: "The spring hatch holder. From West Marine, catalog # 120030, Mfg. No. 0045-2, Hatch Support Spring, 8 1/2". Approx. $9 each, free shipping." Didn't it work in your Escape? -Rich

That's the item pictured in this thread - just took me a long time to finally get around to the installation!

[Zardoz]

Ah, thanks for the clarification! Either way, it's a good problem solver.