Where to find a tubular latch with unusual dimensions

stevat

Hey all, I'm looking to replace this no-longer-working latch but I can't seem to find a suitable replacement anywhere.

I've tried toolstation, screwfix, b&q, ironmongerydirect.co.uk and other online places but no luck. Any ideas where I might have more luck? Are there shops that might specialise in such items?

99% of the latches I find use screws to secure them to the door, and are rectangular. This one just slots in and is cylindrical. So I need something that is cylindrical with exactly 25mm diameter, 60mm backset.

I've found a couple from Excel, but those are 57mm backset, which means it will not line-up exactly with the hole for the door handle. I'm now wondering if 3mm would make such a big difference?

Any suggestions welcome!

flashg67

Union locks seem to do a range - not sure if the sizes ar e what you need and toolstation seem to stock some of them,  https://www.uniononline.co.uk/

I imagine you could enlarge the spindle hole for a difference of 3mm?

stevat

Hey @flashg67, thanks for the reply!

I did already try a union one, but was too thick to fit in the existing 25mm hole, and the backset was too short. Ideally I'd want to avoid having to make any changes to the door and find a like-for-like replacement.

Also, the trouble with the spindle hole not aligning exactly with the latch is that it seems really hard/impossible to force the handle bolt in slightly sideways (the 3mm difference). And if I were to enlarge/move the spindle hole, that'd leave the door area around the handle looking a bit messy with the old holes (that keep the handle in place currently)

HHarry

Howdens had something similar looking on their counter a while back.

stevat

Thanks @HHarry, unfortunately while the Jigtech one from Howdens is 25mm in diameter and is exactly what I need, its backset is 57mm... That's my sticking point right now, those missing 3 millimeters!

subjecttocontract

Have you considered the possibility of modifying the handle itself to accommodate a 57mm backstop ? If the handle fixing to the door is circular then a suitably sized washer under the handle would hide the 3mm offset. If it's e.g brass & rectangular than get someone to cut a decorative panel out of polished brass sheet slightly larger than the rectangular handle to hide the 3 mms offset. Once fitted it will hardly be noticable.

stevat

Thanks @subjecttocontract, that's a good shout actually if I end up having to go down that route 

Micron

It looks like your door latch may have come from the USA,  2 3/8" (60mm) and 2 3/4" (70mm) backsets are two of their preferred sizes.

As you already know sourcing a replacement latch in the UK is practically impossible as here they are seen as an odd size.

Latch eBay USA

Latch spec.

stevat

Thanks @Micron, that's an interesting theory! No idea why the builders would have used such an atypical (for the UK) part in a relatively recent new build, but it might be a good shout to look on US/Australian websites for a replacement part (and pay the import/shipping fees... )