Bonnet door locks

P

psanow

Member
Well into my Roxbury clock build I'm trying to decide if I should install the small half-mortise lock set I purchased for the bonnet (hood) door.  There's not a lot of room for error so before I mess around with fitting it I wondered if anyone has if opinion locks were installed on these regularly.  I can see arguments in both directions.  I see escutcheons in nearly all the pictures but I understand there are plenty of examples of hardware on the face but no lock behind.  If no lock then what hardware would be used to hold the door closed?  Lock on the waist door: yes for sure.  Probably a good argument for limiting access to the hands as well.

Thanks
Paul
 
The Roxbury I reproduced had a lock in the hood. Otherwise just a knob with a toggle, we used to call them turners.
 
Paul,
Most of the higher end mahogany Roxbury cases housing Willard or Taber works that I have worked on have a lock on the hood door.  On the other hand, I own a cherry clock from that time and place with a hood door that is held shut by friction and opened with a simple screw-in brass knob. The Dutch clock I got in for restoration has a spring-loaded hood door catch that is released by pulling a string in the waist.  I think the waist door lock is to keep small children and cats from messing with the pendulum.  The dial, being out of reach, is not such a problem.  I think you should go with whatever makes you comfortable, as long as it doesn't involve magnets or Velcro.  PSP
 
Thanks Peter and Mike.  As I was looking at it I regret to say I first thought of a magnet but resisted the temptation.  I think I can make the lock fit and it should work if I don't get too aggressive.  Velcro was pretty low on the list.  Thanks!
Paul
 
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