I like to use brass ball catches for fine furniture because they’re classy looking, secure, and they can be mounted in a variety of orientations. However, I’ve experienced two problems with them. The first is that their springs are so stout that you really have to tug on the door to open it. (Even adjusting the spring caps outward doesn’t help.) To fix the problem, I replace the stock springs with ballpoint pen springs cut to about the same length. The second issue with these catches is that, when mounted vertically, the bottom spring cap can back itself out from repeated use, ejecting the spring and ball. The solution? Unscrew the cap, apply a dab of fingernail polish to the threads, and reinsert while wet.
