Door latch modification

[interstate al]

Here is a pretty simple door latch modification I made. I turned a plunger to fit existing tube. Drilled and tapped it 10-32 for the stud/handle. Milled a 3/16 slot in inside door tube to except pull stud. I found a spring the right diameter at the local hardware store and cut to length. Last, I turned an alum disc to place behind the spring. I won’t drill the door jamb until I have the door trimmed and I get a tight fit. I will also add a small SS striker to the jamb when I’m finishing. The plunger was tapped all the way through in case I decided to have a pull stud on the outside of the door too, but decided one on the inside was enough. I did cut the slot a bit longer than needed, probably the results from not being on the floor making chips for the last 25 years?

[DRLPatrol]

Very nice.

Doug

P.S. How is the alum plug held in.

[interstate al]

Doug, The alum plug is a snug fit so I pushed it in for the pic. When I install permanently I will crimp over the slotted tube end per original design.
Thanks,

[BTAZ]

Looks good.

Similar to the approach I took but I added two things.

1. I added a slot perpendicular to the travel of the plunger such that the plunger could be pulled back and then pushed up a 1/4 turn so it would stay latched inside the door. Might find that feature convenient.

2. Instead of slotting and then bending the end of the tube to retain the assembly, I cross drilled and am using a cotter pin to make the parts easily removed instead of permanently in place.

[interstate al]

Good ideas both! I thought about the perpendicular slot to hold the plunger back and still have the option to add it. I like your cross drill, cotter key idea and even though my tube came slotted I think I will go with the cotter key instead. I like the idea of a simple take apart if something hangs up down the road.
Thanks!