Tweet
Ever see a glass door latch worth $41,000? Now you have. 
We've just closed on a pair of condos today that an extremely particular buyer joined together. That little latch I fabricated at the last minute saved us $41k a day in penalties. Here's a long story submitted for your amusement.
The latch goes to a sandblasted 1/2" glass door that encloses a water closet in one of the master bathrooms. After the shop drawings were approved and the door installed the buyer demanded a latch. The problem was that the glass was already tempered. After showing the client several options from different manufacturers, each one unaccepted (long story), the ball got dropped. The client was about to refuse to sign the Unit Acceptance unless there was a latch. This was also the day before the contractual deadline for completion of the remodel. It was going to take another 4-6 weeks to get the stainless one we designed fabricated.
My boss found the latch mechanism about noon. I asked him how will it attach to the glass. I laughed at the double sided tape idea, and the silicon idea too. He tried the tape on his office window and the latch stayed in place for less than half a second. Told ya... The clients were making a final inspection at 3:30. I tild him that silicon or epoxy will not work either there is no surface area for a bond, the latch mechanism will get gummed up and what are you going to do about the holes? I think I can fabricate something.
I took the latch and headed to my shop (15 minute drive) at 12:45. I knew I had some 3/4x1/8 alum. bar stock, I thought I might have some 1" material. I'm still trying to figure out how to bend it on the drive over. Bending it into a U shape was a challenge. The first 90 bend was easy using my machinist vise. I thought I'd try to do the second around some 1/2" MDF. I caught the wood on fire heating the metal for the bend. It really didn't bend very well either; it ballooned out at the corner. I resorted to beating the he** out of it with my large hammer. I was about to call the office and tell them my idea isn't working. Naa, I can make this work! There was even more forceful beating because my torch ran out of fuel. A short length of miter track helped to form the last bend, it was about the only 1/2" solid thing I could find.
The time was getting late but I finally got the shape right. Pretty beat up though. I resorted to putting a brushed finish on it with a coarse wire wheel put on my grinder. The dings were not coming out too well by buffing and the grinder was making a mess of it too.
I knew I had some machine screws (I always have a large assortment). Luckily, I had some #8s that were just the right length, maybe a 32nd too long. The holes drilled easy and quickly, used a spare screw to tap them as I didn't have one that size. It was 2:30 when I headed back.
Stopped by the office to get the keys to the unit and to show them the fabrication. I said it wasn’t too bad for a woodworker. I’m really, really hoping that the glass wasn’t wider than a ˝” at this time. The latch slid on perfectly with a couple sheets of paper for shims. I left the site at 3:15. They got their latch, we got our certificate, and them we closed the 2 million dollar deal today.
We've just closed on a pair of condos today that an extremely particular buyer joined together. That little latch I fabricated at the last minute saved us $41k a day in penalties. Here's a long story submitted for your amusement.
The latch goes to a sandblasted 1/2" glass door that encloses a water closet in one of the master bathrooms. After the shop drawings were approved and the door installed the buyer demanded a latch. The problem was that the glass was already tempered. After showing the client several options from different manufacturers, each one unaccepted (long story), the ball got dropped. The client was about to refuse to sign the Unit Acceptance unless there was a latch. This was also the day before the contractual deadline for completion of the remodel. It was going to take another 4-6 weeks to get the stainless one we designed fabricated.
My boss found the latch mechanism about noon. I asked him how will it attach to the glass. I laughed at the double sided tape idea, and the silicon idea too. He tried the tape on his office window and the latch stayed in place for less than half a second. Told ya... The clients were making a final inspection at 3:30. I tild him that silicon or epoxy will not work either there is no surface area for a bond, the latch mechanism will get gummed up and what are you going to do about the holes? I think I can fabricate something.
I took the latch and headed to my shop (15 minute drive) at 12:45. I knew I had some 3/4x1/8 alum. bar stock, I thought I might have some 1" material. I'm still trying to figure out how to bend it on the drive over. Bending it into a U shape was a challenge. The first 90 bend was easy using my machinist vise. I thought I'd try to do the second around some 1/2" MDF. I caught the wood on fire heating the metal for the bend. It really didn't bend very well either; it ballooned out at the corner. I resorted to beating the he** out of it with my large hammer. I was about to call the office and tell them my idea isn't working. Naa, I can make this work! There was even more forceful beating because my torch ran out of fuel. A short length of miter track helped to form the last bend, it was about the only 1/2" solid thing I could find.
The time was getting late but I finally got the shape right. Pretty beat up though. I resorted to putting a brushed finish on it with a coarse wire wheel put on my grinder. The dings were not coming out too well by buffing and the grinder was making a mess of it too.
I knew I had some machine screws (I always have a large assortment). Luckily, I had some #8s that were just the right length, maybe a 32nd too long. The holes drilled easy and quickly, used a spare screw to tap them as I didn't have one that size. It was 2:30 when I headed back.
Stopped by the office to get the keys to the unit and to show them the fabrication. I said it wasn’t too bad for a woodworker. I’m really, really hoping that the glass wasn’t wider than a ˝” at this time. The latch slid on perfectly with a couple sheets of paper for shims. I left the site at 3:15. They got their latch, we got our certificate, and them we closed the 2 million dollar deal today.
Attached Files
The property is in downtown Fort Worth too. Those are a lot cheaper than a high rise being built right now. Last I heard those units are going for $500-$600+ a square foot. 
Comment