DON’T USE A BALL CATCH LATCH! (Use this instead...)

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Check Out the ULTIMATE CARPENTRY CHECKLIST!! *Get your free interactive ebook here* : www.thehonestcarpenter.com/the-ultimate-carpentry-checklist This *150-item Visual Glossary* covers every important topic in carpentry. Check off the tools you have, the concepts you understand. And if you don't know a topic, just click on it for an explanation. Every carpenter and DIYer needs this free guide!

[@kljens7977]

I have 3 sets of these doors in my home, 2 are French doors and 1 is the kitchen pantry. Some of the balls or springs were missing when I moved in 4 years ago. I removed a set from one door and walked the aisles of Lowes, Home Depot and Ace Hardware trying to find replacement parts. Even employees were unable to help me. I showed it to my house painter and several males in the family that I thought knew everything with no luck. I've been searching for an all-around handyman for four years also with no luck. I am a female with no experience in this sort of thing and didn't even know the part I was looking for is called a "ball catch" until I just Googled "interior door ball spring magnet" and found your KZbin video. I feel like I've struck gold! Thank you for explaining it so clearly. I can't wait to finally get my doors fixed!

[@KevinJonessuprq87]

Lowe's Aisle 17 - Door hardware

[@johnotranto1735]

Well, that was about 1000% easier than removing the door trim and realigning the double doors to my home office. I had no idea these ball catches were adjustable. Now instead of having one door that wouldn't shut (ball too high), and the other door that wouldn't stay shut (ball too low) I can now easily shut both doors. Thank you.

[@Komainu959]

Are your ball catches loud? I find them to be annoyingly loud and was going to change over to magenta catches just for that reason alone. My parents home has magnet catches and it's over 50 years old and they still work fine. But the catches are all metal unlike the plastic ones on the video...I guess that shows how old they are lol.

[@davidcarrington63]

I have over 30 years of door hanging experience. Instead of replacing The ball catches with the cheap magnet that will eventually break. I recommend taking the ball catch out of the door and purchasing what is called a roller catch. It has a neoprene roller that is friction based much like the current ball catch works. It has a thumb turn adjustability built into it that can increase the pressure and the height of the neoprene roller. All you have to do is use the existing hole that the ball catch had and take a pencil and draw out the rectangular plate that is attached to the new roller catch. Chisel it a 16th deep into the top of the door and use two screws to attach it. More than likely you can still use the existing mortises that are on the door jamb header and swap them with the new plates that come with the roller catches. In this way you are using all the original preps that are on the door jamb and the top of the door only needs slight chiseling or none, if the gap at the top of the door is big. If after the install, the door tends to rattle a little bit between the back of the door where it would touch the jamb stop, simply put in a clear adhesive bumper or a felt adhesive bumper stuck to the jamb stop to stop any rattling.

[@jesses5463]

Magnet idea sounds better. Create a youtube video to show otherwise.

[@iliketakingshowers]

I love you

[@jesses5463]

FWIW, I just crushed the end of the ball catch real good and it seems unlikely that the ball will be popping out of there anytime soon.

[@pratik1481]

I tried to remove my old traditional ball catches, but they're stuck and the metal around the perimeter started chipping away when I tried to pry it out. I keep googling "how to remove ball catch" but every video simply says "take it out". Have you ever come across that in 3p years? 😊

[@Joseph2020-c2p]

Thank you, I was thinking of this before I watched the video.

[@normansidey5258]

Am a 74 year old retired engineer, and I have learned something today, I never knew the adjustable feature of ball catches. Thank you and good wishes from England.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧😁.

[@bethieg1387]

This will make my husband's day. He thinks magnets can solve any problem...looks like you proved him right again!

[@keithhudson4081]

I'm glad you did the first part with adjusting the ball catch. Saved me some money since I didn't have to buy a new ball catch.

[@slingbart705]

$5/ pair on amazon. you spend more for lunch at Mickey D's

[@bjones211]

I’ve been bothered by two sets of these in our cabin for 5 years. Never knew they were adjustable! Thanks!

[@astroboy862]

Perfect timing...we just moved into a newer home and my wife just told me our hallway coat closet has this problem...now I can look like a genius and fix this!...lol..tks!

[@jonp761]

You, sir, are my hero! We've had closet doors that were so hard to open. After watching this, I was able to adjust the ball down and now the doors open and close perfectly. Thank you!

[@rendenwow]

I just moved into a new house and saw the strike plates but didn't know what they were. The doors did not latch. I saw the video. I took them apart and now they work. I look like a genius. Thanks to The Honest Carpenter.

[@kristinegavrilis760]

15 years of slamming one closet door (I’ve now learned because ball was to high) and it’s mate was always swinging open. Well, Banging door ball catch finally broke. Putting on this magnet was such a great solution and you made it SO easy. Thank you!

[@arcobyte99]

Im a woman in my 50s who knows nothing about tools and fixing things. I just fixed my bathroom door that kept sticking - very hard to open and close, but now, works perfectly! Thanks a million!

[@etweetyb77]

OMG!!!!! THANK YOU for putting this out here. I just purchased a house with these stupid things and I have adjusted so many times already.......I'm heading to the store NOW!!!!!!

[@srhintz]

Thanks. I just went and fixed the one on my pantry in my apartment. The ball had popped out. Gave that inner sleeve a little squeeze with channel locks so it would stay in and adjusted both catches. Works great now. C-clip pliers worked better than my needle nose.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Road Toad Hey, you’re welcome! Thanks for the tip with the pliers-I’ll be trying that next time 😄

[@Starchild670]

"Astragal" I learned something today, thanks.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

seth jensen You’re welcome! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@citylockapolytechnikeyllcc7936]

Your fenestrations can be more weathertight with an astragal, and your home will make quite a statement with a full out architrave.

[@albertpurcella4988]

@@TheHonestCarpenter ≠

[@dejavu666wampas9]

Just replaced many interior doors. Have 5 doubles, with ball catches. I’ve saved this AWESOME video for down the road. Thanks so much.

[@mkaminshine]

Thank you for sharing this. I've been fighting one of these adjusted too high for longer than I'd like to admit. I had it fixed in 20 seconds.

[@Garx27]

Your help fixed my closet doors. Thank you!

[@ScienceNotFaith]

Mag catches are great. I bought good bedroom furniture that had doors on them. All the doors had the pinch type catches that pinch a post attached to the door. They always caught my clothes, were too hard to open and had to slam shut. I replaced them all with these mag catches in brown to match the color of the wood. Couldn't be happier with the results.

[@francesco3207]

I've replaced these on my home office french door set up at least 3 times in last 10 years which means they break every 3 years or so. Very helpful.

[@TheMalbroughs]

Oh my God! Thank you!!! We have these ball latch POS things on our master bathroom doors and they are SO loud. Early morning opening always wakes the spouse. We are doing this magnet replacement tomorrow!

[@mari919]

I'm new to DIY but I decided to do some minor repairs myself to save money. Your channel helps me every time. Thank you.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

You’re welcome, Mary! Thanks for watching, and good luck with your projects 🙂

[@englishshepherd-cassidyhop4589]

Thanks for posting this! Now I know how to remove and adjust it. Update: my ball latch was already adjusted all the way down but was still sticking up a bit too high to work easily. This was stressing out the door handle. The hole was drilled at a very,very slight angle which caused the problem. After disassembling, cleaning, and lubricating, I used a wire cutters to snip just a tiny bit off of the spring. Now it works perfectly!

[@lauraaqui219]

This was really great I have an interia door that has this ball catch but is situated near the door handle, the wooden door frame has a small well depression for acting as a catch for the ball hinge but it's not working, I loved this tip you shared as it's easy to install, I really learned something new here from you, this channel is fast becoming my faveriout and I consider it to be excellent content, expert advice and know how, I also learned how I can adjust this not closing door issue, on my interia closet door, in my case it is raising the ball head, or I will need a new spring. Thank you this is a totally great video, outstanding job, brilliant of you to share this I gave it thumbs up and I'm already a new subscriber, love your channel for your amazing content. Iam a Novice diy-er interested in carpentry and joinery and home improvements. Laura in uk

[@tha073926]

What a great and simple solution. Renting a house right now that uses these ball catch latches and the damn ball always comes flying out when you open the closet doors.

[@bigbawls81]

I have these ball catches on my pantry door and am having to adjust all the time. This solves the problem. Thanks for sharing.

[@stevenbingham3061]

I had this exact problem and was looking for a solution, because I did not want to replace the ball catches. I should have thought about this approach, but just hadn't. Thanks for this tip!! Now I have a project for this weekend.

[@jgalt1joy]

You do a great job at explaining and showing how to do things. Great attention to detail and very well-made.

[@isaacbro]

I've been replacing ball catches for 2 years, thank you!

[@lindahearrell9949]

I was just about to go buy two replacement ball sets but now i'm going this direction. Thanks for the idea.

[@glenzacharias4670]

Stay with the ball catch

[@multipleblessings]

Thanks. Great tips! They should educate homeowners on how to use, clean and adjust these little buggers.

[@silencionomus]

You forgot the other “feature” of the ball stops: that the ball will slip past the cheap flanges that hold them in. Usually, there is enough power in the spring to launch the little musket ball up into the ceiling and leave a black indent before bouncing down and hitting the top of the head of the poor person trying to get their shirt at 7 a.m. That’s right. Pre-coffee. Hurts too.

[@asthasr2]

I was holding a coffee mug when mine shot me. Went into my coffee and broke the mug.

[@dstewart7470]

LMAO

[@annalbin]

Ditto-they always fly out, hit the ceiling, leave a mark on the strike plate, and scare the crap out of me and my cats. I have lived in my condo for 5 years and had to fix four of them several times. A real pain.

[@thumperohio8752]

i have the issue with popping out top, even replaced new, considering i paid for these doors to be made (bathroom remodel) and added the top hinge/ball. after changing 2xs and several launches, i have just removed ball. usually open, guest just pull shut long as no one minds. sucks that those do that for no reason.

[@nottavictim5]

Happened to my girlfriend! Shoulda happened to my ex-wife

[@macmuchmore1]

Thank you for this video - I cannot believe I didn't think of this fix. I had some laundry doors just like in the video where the ball latches have been messed up for years. 10 min of work later and they were fixed. Thanks again!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Great to hear, Andrew! Thanks for watching 😄

[@jimnasium452]

Those ball catches are great for doors you don't open and close much. Otherwise they constantly work themselves out of adjustment as they latch and unlatch. This fix is genius. Thanks!

[@joeyweaver7421]

Well done! I didn't know the ball latch was adjustable! Thank you!

[@janegordon6017]

Fab, was looking for a solution to my walk-in wardrobe doors and this is perfect!

[@mycats7321]

Thanks! This is a good tip. I do think it's important to make sure you get strong magnets. I've found some magnetic catches that are far too weak. One thing I'm surprised you didn't do was use the double sticky tape on the plate to make sure it didn't fall. It's an extra step, but if you have to get up on a ladder or step stepstool to put it on, it's best to make sure it doesn't fall so you don't have to climb down and look for it.

[@chris_thornborrow]

As always, the information is just perfect on this channel. I prefer embedded neodymium magnets on cabinet doors but for closet doors, this is definitely the way to go. Also the tips on installing just make this a great video.

[@uknavynige]

My builder had left without putting a ball latch in the magnet idea is fantastic. Got to try that,thanks

[@keithtomczyk4730]

I have hungs over 600 sets in the past 35+ years in Macomb and Oakland County Michigan. I have replaced about 150 strike plates.Brass is out ,other finishes are in. I even use these on understair door panels and othe storage doors. The magmets never hold back over stuffed storage. You tighten the button catches a smidge ,and bingo bango. Nevervsaw rust onbspring I put in.I spray graphite in all springs.

[@Jetfuture737]

Those ball latches have driven me nuts for about 3 years. I'm pretty handy, but I had no idea they were adjustable. My pride would not allow me to spend $75-$100 to hire a handyman, as I thought the whole door/hing/frame needed adjustment. Doors are perfect now. I'll have to consider the magnets. Thank you!

[@ZukiGrL1]

~ YOU'RE AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGGGG! The alternative magnet catch is EXACTLY what I need AND I can do myself without any help! *THANK YOU!* btw...for a double door you can purchase a "Double magnetic catch" which might help with stability

[@brakesitr]

I just bought a new house and they have those ball grab latches in two bedrooms and one in the broom closet. They are junk, the builder had to install longer flush screws because the ball was causing the screws to wear out the holes. (ball was stuck up or set to high) like in your video, they had to come back two times to try and fix it but with no luck. I just adjusted the ball grab and add thread lock to the threads. So I hope I fixed it it seems to be working a lot better, but only time will tell. Great video, just wish I looked you up a year ago.

[@feztoys]

Perfect, this just to my owners entry door after 7 months of the house being constructed. I remember the builder saying they were easily adjustable. This video helped a lot. Thanks!! First time home owner here.

[@photog1529]

I have several ball catches on three sets of French doors. Last time I had to make any adjustments, I simply cleaned the ball and spring with WD-40, set it back to where it made proper contact with the strike plate, then dribbled some blue Loctite down the barrel and onto the threads. That was two years ago and they're still good. But the magnet thing is a good alternative.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

@Photog 1 That's a good idea with trapping the threads in place! After initial settling, doors and jambs will often stay put for a while, so locking the ball catch at that point will probably work well. Thanks for writing in!

[@heli400]

Photog 1 I built a secret hidden door/bookcase and I was thinking a ball catch was the way to go. I found an adjustable at leevalley for like $10 bucks so if my door sags I can adjust it, need more spring tension?... I can adjust it,... wood contracts and expands with humid/dry/hot/cold temps & install a cheap plastic $1 unadjustable magnetic tab?,... NO! Blue threadlock to avoid movement over time?... Duh!... gunna pick up a ball latch tomorrow! :)

[@P_RO_]

@@heli400 The strike plate of the magnet catch is large enough to compensate for normal movement- in other words while you're adjusting ball catches all the time, those with magnet catches don't need to be bothered with.

[@yabby4]

OMG, a million times THANKS!!! I hate those stupid ball catch things I have them on my pantry door which gets used often and they are a royal pain!! I will be installing these!!

[@adamnudelman7752]

can't believe I didn't think of magnet catches... I've been thinking of replacing closet ball catches. Thank you!

[@davee9476]

Thank you! I just used this method to fix 6 different closet doors and they operate so much better now!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

That’s great to hear, Dave!

[@susanfrombflo8368]

Thank you for all these tips AND "astragal." We want to put those closet doors on 3 closets. You are a good teacher!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thank you, Susan!

[@laviniamartin1619]

Great video! We have two pairs of 6'6"x 3' closet doors on our bedroom closet. Builder installed the roller type ball catches and they are sooo strong you can barely pull them open. Then all the doors shake and it is really noisy !! I attached the handles using bolts with washers/nuts so the MDF would be safe from screws ripping out. Meanwhile looking for a way to soften the spring of the roller, I came across your video. Not sure if the rollers will be adjustable for strength, but at least there are some wonderful other ideas in the comments. I love the comments - they are a goldmine.... Cheers !

[@Bulldog75stp]

Man! You're a genius lol. My office door was like this and I wasn't sure how to adjust it. I might try the magnets if it messes up again. Thanks

[@coleworld904]

Great video. Great alternative because one ball I can’t find and getting the other out was a pain and almost messed up my door. Easy solution that cost me 3 dollars at Home Depot

[@theshort7951]

Thanks for the great video. We just moved into a new house. Just like you said, half the doors in our house with ball catches are too high. I’ll be taking care of this today. Thanks again. Take care.

[@dd7leung2002]

Incredibly helpful, clear instructions and very simple yet handy tips! Thanks for sharing

[@Tht1Guy]

Holy cow! I was just about to install the ball catch plates in my closet doors when I found your video. Looks like 2021 is off to a good start!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

😄

[@juneritchie2498]

Very practical and useful. Double benefit!

[@johnkelley9877]

That was a very helpful tutorial! Thanks for the information. Especially on how to line up the magnet and plate.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

You’re welcome John! As always, thanks for watching 🙂

[@karenmilloy2107]

This was a super amazing video - had these installed and they became so tight the door could not be opened. Pulling it open actually caused the handle to come away from the door. I will definitely be buying these magnetic plates.....thank you for the solution.....

[@johngee9018]

Great tip! I have some french doors that have the problem of the ball "unwinding" itself over time making the opening and closing of the door more difficult and noisy. I am not going to do exactly as you described. But in watching this, I realized that if I replace the ball with a strong enough magnet, it will be attracted to the striker plate and should hold the door in place. Now, if you could have a video on how to align a pair of french doors without tearing the entire frame out and starting from scratch. (Well, even aligning them from scratch is a bit of mystery to me.)

[@kenmorris5512]

I really enjoy your videos. Always learn something new!

[@andressalas4266]

Great tip! I have some french doors in a rental house and I've tried "fixing' the ball catch a couple of times. Working for now, but think I might need to use this fix between renters to not have to "fix" it anymore! Cheers!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

@Andres Salas Thank you! I've messed with so many faulty ones over the years, I just had to start using another method. I've never thought the magnets appeared too obtrusive. I appreciate you watching!

[@ntssw]

Wow. Our ball latches made the door always impossible to open without ripping the handle out of the door. I didn't know they were adjustable. A few twists and they are easy to open now. Thank you! If I keep having issues, I'll switch to magnetic catches.

[@dondieu3154]

Thanks for this. I've 'lost' one of the ball latches, so the door will not stay closed. Now I've found a way that it will.

[@TheJoj04]

Exactly the info and alternative I needed right now. Thanks!

[@ToddBiggins]

You just saved me a trip to the hardware store - the ball kept coming out of the top of the door and someone shut the door bending the spring. I was able to take this apart, bend the spring back with needle nose pliers and crimp the casing slightly to force the ball to stay in. I'll try the magnet catch if it happens again - but great video!

[@jrasquire]

awesome thanks for the tip! I am a new carpenter and I was struggling with a ball catch latch last week.

[@ProstetnicVogonJeltz]

Walking through the positioning, indent marking, and adjustability, of the magnetic latches has sold me on them. That they're cheap as chips too, doesn't hurt.

[@aosamai]

thanks for the video, I just ordered a couple of magnet catchers and will install

[@craigmadison4326]

Thanks for your excellent, direct teaching on this. I appreciate your work!

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks for watching, Craig!

[@katiahoberman1211]

Thank you for the video and tips. Can’t wait to replace old hardware with the magnetic set up.

[@maisiefrechette5442]

Thanks for posting this idea! Followed your advice for our French doors and it works great!

[@edwardmmanns7454]

What a nice builder, never painted the door to so in time it will absorb moisture and swell.

[@k.w.1459]

I don’t have these in my home, but this video is kind of fascinating. Good tips. Thanks.

[@larrymoore6640]

Good tip about replacing with a magnet latch. I never knew that the ball latch had any adjustments but I hardly use them.

[@kencoleman7762]

Nice alternative. I haven't had any problems with the several sets of ball catches but I appreciate having an alternative solution if needed.

[@Joseph2020-c2p]

Thank you so much--this was informative and easy to understand.

[@greenjoon1]

Thanks a lot! It is really very helpful to fix my closet door problem with few bucks!

[@Zoichi20]

I like that even though you say to not use a ball catch, you mention how to fix them if you are actually using them, so this video is useful whether you choose to replace them or not. Thanks!

[@lancehaynie1839]

Just switch mine out for these magnets latches. Much better! Thank you!

[@markinsko1626]

This was really helpful! Just what I needed today.

[@MixingGBP]

I just use a quarter to adjust it. It fits perfectly in those 2 notches if you press down on the ball. This makes it so that you don't have to remove the assembly, assuming it is in good working condition. You are right, they eventually fail again, regardless of how many times you adjust it.

[@RyguyAB]

Blue thread lock, and done.

[@DrDRE4391]

Excellent information. I have not seen this anywhere else. Thank You.

[@edover50]

Great video Ethan. Haven’t had much experience with ball latches but will know better now. Thanks

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

Thanks Ed! Hopefully this saves you a little frustration if you ever run into them 🙂

[@Xinkgs]

Thanks for the Idea. I am fixing a bunch of cabinets around the house today 😁

[@ZombieBenderReturns]

Nice, I’m really frustration with another kind of flimsy latch on my pantry, this looks like a great fix.

[@rjsophia9608]

Pantry latch is a ball latch. Been using a rubber band to keep malfunctioning side closed. Thanks for the fix!👍🏼

[@MrJimmyroberts]

Great video and two fixes in one. Thanks

[@builtbywalsh]

I’m just sad it took me 3 years of replacing ball bearings to find this video. Thank you! This is incredible

[@billwang4181]

My wife and I have discovered a problem with the magnetic type since we are now older and have thinner skin (literally). Ours are mostly on cabinet doors, and if we reach into the upper part of a cabinet, the sharp edges on the plastic tower can produce a nasty cut if we're not careful. On many of them, I have rounded the edges and corners with a Dremel tool to help with this. A small file will also work.

[@ansientwun]

Thanks for the video. The last contractor used the ball catches on several doors in the basement and in the winter the doors shrink to the extent that they no longer catch. The magnets would be a good resolution.

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

@ansientwun You’re welcome! I’ve seen the shrink effect cause this too. Ultimately it takes so little to throw them off that a 1/16” change can do it. I’m glad the video helps!

[@johnduffy6546]

Cheap, simple and effective! Doesn't get any better than that IMO

[@mariacifuentesmarrero8938]

As usual your solutions are IT!!!

[@grahamodell9858]

Mate you are the best , I need you in my toolbox 🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@bbwendy89]

You just saved my life. Thank you

[@stalincat2457]

wtf were you using these ball latches for?

[@peterogers7561]

Great idea. I was just readjusting one of my ball latches today for about the tenth time. Going to change to the magnets.

[@outrageous-alex]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks

[@lifeintentional518]

This was so helpful!! Exactly the info I was looking for! Thanks

[@TheHonestCarpenter]

You’re welcome!

[@Jessica-wz9id]

Thank you so much for explaining what could be done. I had no idea the ball was adjustable and was going to live with doors that shouldn't shut!

[@donreinholz8121]

Great idea! I will use these when I build a frame around my crawl space opening and make double doors out of plywood.

[@freddieqmercury5961]

I have not seen ball catches fail, unless installed incorrectly, they have been used in the UK for many years, pretty simple effective latch in my humble opinion.