What hardware is used with this latch type?

[charcoalwilly]

I’ve always like this type of latch although have never actually used one. I’ve seen it on Shirley, Boathouse and a few other smoker brands.

What type of hardware is used on the handle mechanism?
Does the handle rotate 360 degrees? Or is there some type of stop to limit its rotation when opening?
Is there a welded nut on inside of door?
Does it seal well?

Here are a few pics the I could find of exterior:

7E8D4124-C23F-46F2-8DAD-57F60E914976.jpeg

AA7FED60-02F7-4E80-9EBB-A4EA8DB3CFCA.jpeg

5FD38332-15BD-48D2-8296-D58FF37F7BC8.jpeg

And a few others with spring handle on inside of arm.

C5544C34-37D1-480A-B117-D1C07CFD9AF5.jpeg

6ED0BDA1-811E-4C17-9FFB-12F10D0BCACD.png

[hogaboomer]

Most likely just a lock nut on the inside like Big T was saying the other day. Don't see why it would need to not turn 360. Looks pretty basic, I might have to appropriate that for myself.

[charcoalwilly]

Many thanks @hogaboomer & @BigT! For those following this thread, here is what Big T commented in other thread on the hardware:

“I use a steel lock nut and bolt for the pivot on my intakes and it works great. I get my holes drilled in everything, put it all together with the nut on the inside, tighten it down, tack the nut to the door and then adjust the bolt until I get the feel that I want. Be sure that you use a solid steel lock nut and not one with the teflon insert or it won't last very long.”
...

“I use metal lock nuts and tack them to the inside of the door. They look like they have been squeezed in a vise and are slightly obround.”

[SheffSmoker]

On my first one, I did it backwards - welded the bolt to the inside of the door, and then washer, latch, washer, nut x 2 locked to each other.

[Dirtytires]

I wouldn’t say the nut on the outside is wrong, just a different look.

[Big T]

Either way works fine, you can tack the head of the bolt on the inside of the door and put the nut outside if that's the look you like best. The main thing is to use a steel lock nut so that it doesn't tighten or loosen when you move the handle.

[Dirtytires]

Just for the record, I actually used a solid piece of rod for my pivot and welded a heavy washer to the rod on each side of the door to keep it in place. Tricky part was getting it tight enough before it was welded on. The benefit is I never have to worry about it loosening up like a threaded rod/bolt.

[charcoalwilly]

I had figured that some type of spring would be used to create tension, but I’m not smart enough to know how that would be achieved. Good idea @Dirtytires on the solid bar with welded nuts.

In the pics above, what are the merits of spring handle on outside of arm (Shirley) versus inside of arm (second set of pics)? Seems like spring handle on inside of arm might make for slightly easier way to open.

[Big T]

Of the 2 types of handles above, I prefer the Shirley because the weight of the handle is going towards the latch which helps to keep it closed. In the other picture with the pivot point of the handle closer to the latch, the weight of the handle is actually lifting the bar out of the latch. You could simply flip the latch on the bottom picture and you wouldn't have that issue. The handles aren't that heavy so they probably wouldn't open on their own but if they were extremely loose it could possibly happen. Not to mention that the 2nd handle puts your hand very close to the door and could lead to a burnt hand if you aren't wearing gloves.

[charcoalwilly]

Great points @Big T on the weight! I should’ve known Shirley would have this figured out

[Dirtytires]

I didn’t use springs. Just a solid 0.5 inch rod with a large flat washer welded to it on both sides of the door. I welded a small ‘stop’ on the inside to keep the handle in the open position and prevent it from spinning completely around.

And yes, putting the handle in front of the firebox is just asking for burnt fingers.

[hogaboomer]

The spring handles dissipate heat, keep your hand from getting burnt.