Craftsman Griplatch

[Tucker99]

Just got my 42" Craftsman chest. I've decided that I don't like the griplatch. Yea, in the right circumstances it would be good to have, but I keep it on my workbench and that extra effort to pull the drawer is bothersome. Is there a way to bypass it? I took a drawer out and really don't see how the griplatch works. Any ideas?

 

[firebox40dash5]

There should be a little 'hook' facing up on each side, when you pull upwards on the drawer grab, it levers down and unlatches. You could rig the handles 'up' somehow, or cut/bend the hook, I guess...

I like latches, I've had my toolbox start to tip twice. First time I caught it, second time the rest of the drawers went once it started, and not so much. Blah. My bad for having too many drawers out at once, but I still like latches so if I accidentally open that one too many, the rest stay where the hell they are.

 

[Tucker99]

Is the little hook inside or outside the drawers? Thanks!

 

[Agentwho]

There is a picture of the griplatch hook on my box in this post. It has one on both sides. I haven't really thought about a way to disable the griplatch but my first thought would be to wedge the lip on the drawer in the open possition somehow. Maybe drill a hole then use a bolt and nut to act as a stopper on the handle. Good luck

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=191607

 

[Tucker99]

Found it. Had to remove the drawers. Plastic device, spring loaded. Cliped in place, just popped them off. Greased all the brgs and slides making a huge improvement. Like the idea of a drawer catch but the griplock was just too much resistance to the point of being anoying. Must just be an old guy thing. Researching magnet strips for the backs of the drawers.

 

[Deafautotech]

I am favor of griplatch and lock n roll as I hate the detents!!!! It get worn out and replace often while griplatch and lock n roll don't get break unless someone did stupid way to open..

 

[71goldss]

Found it. Had to remove the drawers. Plastic device, spring loaded. Cliped in place, just popped them off. Greased all the brgs and slides making a huge improvement. Like the idea of a drawer catch but the griplock was just too much resistance to the point of being anoying. Must just be an old guy thing. Researching magnet strips for the backs of the drawers.

Are you sure what you have is "Griplatch"? Griplatch is obvious to see when the drawer is open, and are flat shaped metal hooks at each side of the drawer just behind the drawer fronts. Unless there are two different styles, it doesn't sound like that is what you have. Maybe that's why you don't like them? I have griplatch on mine and removing them would require either some bending or grinding, and would be much more work than what you described you did.

I love mine, but then I'm an old guy.

 

[SMKS]

Are you sure what you have is "Griplatch"? Griplatch is obvious to see when the drawer is open, and are flat shaped metal hooks at each side of the drawer just behind the drawer fronts. Unless there are two different styles, it doesn't sound like that is what you have.

+1

What the OP described does not sound like Griplatch. I've owned a Griplatch box, and it did not take more effort to open the drawers.

Here's how the OP described it:

Found it. Had to remove the drawers. Plastic device, spring loaded. Cliped in place, just popped them off. Greased all the brgs and slides making a huge improvement.

OP, did you look at this thread linked above? This is what the mechanism on the Craftsman Griplatch box I owned looked like.

 

[cookefab]

I'm almost certain that there are/were two versions of Griplatch...1 involved lifting up on the drawer pull, and the type on my "basement box" which requires a bit of "oomph" to open/close the drawers. I hate that the lighter drawers get tossed about merely by opening them. It just seems to be overkill for a tiny top chest...

BTW, there is a blue oval "GripLatch" sticker on the upper left corner of the chest...

 

[4xdog]

I've played with Griplatch in the store a Sears and Menards and it seems like a *super* system. This being the version with the metal hooks at the inside ends.

I wish my Costco bench/box in the garage had it.

 

[unslow1]

I have 4 toolboxes. Only one with the Griplatch. I wish all of them did.

 

[MPOWERD]

I have Griplatch and Non Griplatch boxes. What he describes fits my Non Griplatch box.

Could he have gotten a mismarked box?

 

[The Ratchet Man]

The Griplatch with the metal hooks is almost effortless to operate. I almost forget its there yet it works well. The hole mechanism for locking is on the top front flange of the drawer. No drawer removal necessary to see it.

 

[Tucker99]

There are 2-plastic devices clip mounted on the back of the frame rails. The grip is a c-shaped sprung device that grabs the drawer. Takes a bit of energy to close and open the drawer. I tried removing one and just use 1-latch but that did not make much of a difference. I do not have what was shown in the link above. The box is a Craftsman 42" 10-drawer model 33566 and is not advertised as having griplatch. Think I made a wrong assumption. Little pissed though, I paid $485 on sale and the drawer-grabber thing is a PIA. Problem now is that I've lubed the brg slides so well, the drawers will float open if I shake the workbench. Thinking of applying magnets to the back of the drawers to hold them shut. Kind of like magnetic door catches on a pantry door.

 

[SMKS]

The box is a Craftsman 42" 10-drawer model 33566 and is not advertised as having griplatch. Think I made a wrong assumption.

And, there's the answer.

I didn't know Craftsman had an additional style of mechanism for keeping the drawers closed.

 

[Tucker99]

Yea, I think I got an odd ball; it's made in Canada. Listed as a professional model, seemed to made a little beefier than their popular 40" box and is 18" deep.