Need ideas for building new console

[boat_beginner]

I'm going to be building a new console soon, and I'm having trouble coming up with a way to get access inside the console, and keeping the access door secure. I want to make the back of the console open up for a door, but I can't think of a way to keep it locked shut. I want to try to keep the closing/locking mechanism inside the console, so there is nothing sticking outside, so my 5yo can't get hurt on it when he's playing around the boat. I can't seem to come up with any ideas, what ya'all got?

 

[MinUph]

Re: Need ideas for building new console

A lock and key. The key hole won't stick out.

 

[richard.prince]

Re: Need ideas for building new console

My boat has a hinged piece of plexiglass and two knobs that when turned they rotate the latch 90? then pull towards the plexiglass to hold tight. I think it is called a compression latch and the knob only sticks out like .5" from plexiglass

 

[boat_beginner]

Re: Need ideas for building new console

Great ideas. I was hitting a brick wall when coming up with ideas to keep the door secured.
Something so simple, turned so complicated for me.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need ideas for building new console

Make a trip to your local Mom & Pop hardware store, or the Hardware section of the big box stores like Lowes or Menards, or Home Depot. They have all sorts of locking devices but the least expensive lock is a cam lock. turn the key and a small plate rotates behind the door to lock it. A full length piano hinge solves the problem of getting fingers pinched in the door at the hinge end.

At five years old, kids can begin learning what is and what is not a "play thing". Allowing kids to "play" on a boat is a good way to end up with dead batteries because Jimmy Knob Twiddler turned on every switch he could find. Or he may push things into openings that need to remain open. Or to pull or tug on things that are not meant to be pulled or tugged on. There is gasoline somewhere on the boat. How neat they think it is to drop things into the fuel tank. If you don't think that ever happens hear this. My Grandson is mechanic for a Kia dealer. Customer complains that when attempting to fill his car with fuel it sprays back out the filler neck. Sure enough, what he says is true. After removing 16 Tootsie Rolls that had been jammed into the filler, it now works fine. Gee -- guess who was responsible. Saying NO and refusing to let him play on the boat will not scar him forever as the current crop of shrinks would lead you to believe. You will never be able to child proof every place your son will ever be on, in, or near. Education is a far better approach. Just my opinion of course.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Need ideas for building new console

Some thing like this should do just fine.. Its a type of tool box lock.

 

[boat_beginner]

Re: Need ideas for building new console

Make a trip to your local Mom & Pop hardware store, or the Hardware section of the big box stores like Lowes or Menards, or Home Depot. They have all sorts of locking devices but the least expensive lock is a cam lock. turn the key and a small plate rotates behind the door to lock it. A full length piano hinge solves the problem of getting fingers pinched in the door at the hinge end.

At five years old, kids can begin learning what is and what is not a "play thing". Allowing kids to "play" on a boat is a good way to end up with dead batteries because Jimmy Knob Twiddler turned on every switch he could find. Or he may push things into openings that need to remain open. Or to pull or tug on things that are not meant to be pulled or tugged on. There is gasoline somewhere on the boat. How neat they think it is to drop things into the fuel tank. If you don't think that ever happens hear this. My Grandson is mechanic for a Kia dealer. Customer complains that when attempting to fill his car with fuel it sprays back out the filler neck. Sure enough, what he says is true. After removing 16 Tootsie Rolls that had been jammed into the filler, it now works fine. Gee -- guess who was responsible. Saying NO and refusing to let him play on the boat will not scar him forever as the current crop of shrinks would lead you to believe. You will never be able to child proof every place your son will ever be on, in, or near. Education is a far better approach. Just my opinion of course.

When I said play, I didn't mean he used the boat as a club house unsupervised, that was a reference to him playing in the boat while on the water, as in moving around the boat, jumping and swimming in the water, fishing from the boat, things of that nature, while multiple adults are on board the boat while he is doing said activities.
I'm very aware that I cannot remove every single hazard present to him through out his life, but if I can lessen the possibility of him, or someone else, being injured from a piece of hardware sticking out that could be prevented, I will take that approach.