Latch Ideas???

[Bluesman]

I searched this site but can't find any "latch" type projects. What I need is to know what the best and most simple design is to use on my smoker door. Got the door on and banded, but when I mounted the hinges I split the kerf difference on top and bottom because that is what I thought would make sense. Apparently NOT and I should have put all the gap at the bottom and made the top flush because when I split the difference it changed the arc radius of the door and the top and sides seal off BUT when it gets to the last inch or so on the bottom of the sides and front, it don't close completely. There probably wouldn't be any smoke/heat loss as the hole is good and tight, but it just looks wierd to me and I want to be able to put a latch on each side to be able to "pull it in" when I close the door and it look the same all the way around. I was thinking about doing one of those types with the handle on the outside and a flapper on the inside that would swivel and pull it in and tight when rotated 90 degrees.

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated as I want something that will work but I also want it to look good and not look like a bear's ass sewed up with barb wire.

thanks.

Scott

[KHK]

Scott, could you provide a picture?

[Bluesman]

Scott, could you provide a picture?

Sure can, but it may be a little cause the 1st period class doesn't have shop. 2nd period we will be out there and I can take one but will have to wait until I get back in the classroom to post it unless there is a way to pump it straight from a a blackberry?

[Bluesman]

Haven't had a chance to get a pic yet but I did decide to bite the bullet and remove the hinges off the back and move the door backwards a bit. Now, even when the hinges are disconnected it seems the door itself is a different size in arc radius than the tank. I am not sure if this could have been due to heat distortion or not because it is evenly "large" all the way around and isn't like normal heat distortion I've ever seen. Is it possible that the metal just relaxed when I cut it out from being part of a cylinder or what? I'm trying to figure out a way to slightly torque it back into position by applying even pressure. I'm thinking if I put a chunk of pipe in it for integrity purposes and then run straps across the back of it and pull tight and then apply some heat that it may help pull it in. If not, I don't know what to do, but I do know I'm too deep into this project to just scrap it that is for damn sure.

[SICFabrications]

you try what we talked about, yet?