243 Brass 51mm Right Hand 2 Lever Cut Cupboard Lock To Differ
In stock
Delivery Information
| Delivery Time Frame | Delivery Information |
| Next Working Day By 1PM | When an order is placed by 3pm for next working day on certain items |
| Standard Delivery | Usually delivered in 2 to 4 working days |
| Delivery Charges | |
| UK Mainland | Prices start at £3.95 for very small items, £6.50 for small, £9.50 for medium and £20 for large/long items |
| Scottish Highlands & Islands, Northern Ireland & Ireland | Prices from £30, please see our delivery page for more info. |
See our full range:
Description
Authentic Traditional Cabinet Joinery Security
Selecting the correct hardware for bespoke timber cabinetry demands a careful balance of aesthetic refinement, structural durability, and reliable everyday operation. The 243 Brass 51mm Right Hand 2 Lever Cut Cupboard Lock To Differ is a purpose-engineered locking mechanism crafted specifically for cabinetmakers, furniture restorers, and domestic joinery specialists who appreciate classic hardware engineering. Built from premium solid brass, this cut cupboard lock sits discreetly recessed into the rear face or edge rebate of your wooden cabinet doors, presenting a flush and tidy profile while offering dependable locking performance.
Cut cupboard locks, historically favoured across British furniture craftsmanship, allow timber doors to close neatly against their frames without bulky surface-mounted hardware obstructing the internal storage space. The 243 lock features an overall body width of 51mm, making it an exceptional fit for smaller cabinet doors, sideboards, wardrobes, display units, and built-in alcove furniture. Engineered explicitly as a right hand configuration, it ensures smooth deadbolt extension and retraction when fitted to hinged doors opening from the right side of the carcass.
Supplied keyed to differ with two dedicated brass keys, each lock operates on an individual key combination, guaranteeing that adjacent units or cupboards in the same home or office cannot be unlocked with a shared key. Whether you are conducting a meticulous period restoration on an antique heirloom or fitting out a newly designed bespoke kitchen pantry, Doorfit provides the dependable architectural hardware required to complete your woodwork to professional standards.
Material
Solid Extruded Brass
Lock Width
51mm Overall
Handing
Right Hand (RH)
Keying Mechanism
2 Lever Cut To Differ
Solid Brass Construction and Corrosion Resistance
Quality joinery locks must deliver silent, friction-free movement throughout years of constant handling. Brass remains the gold standard in premium ironmongery because it naturally resists corrosion, atmospheric moisture, and mechanical wear. Unlike steel locks that can suffer from rust or surface seizing in kitchens, bathrooms, or unheated timber workshops, the 243 brass lock retains its natural glide and golden lustre indefinitely.
The body plate, face plate, internal brass levers, and deadbolt all work in mechanical harmony. Solid brass naturally produces low internal friction, minimizing the need for heavy chemical lubricants that might otherwise bleed into surrounding joinery timbers or stain delicate veneer work.
Reliable 2 Lever Locking Security
The two-lever internal mechanism inside this unit is deliberately arranged to offer an ideal level of domestic and commercial cabinet security. Levers inside the lock housing must be cleanly lifted by the corresponding cuts on the key bit to permit the deadbolt to throw or withdraw cleanly. This prevents simple access by flat tools or incorrect keys, protecting stored valuables, sensitive paperwork, drinks collections, or medicine.
Because this lock is configured to differ, every unit leaves the factory with unique key bittings. If you are fitting five separate cabinets across a room, each lock requires its own distinct key, keeping access controlled, private, and orderly.
Understanding Cut Locks versus Standard Mortice Locks
Cabinet locks fall into several distinct styles, and knowing the installation format guarantees a flawless fit for your carpentry project. A standard full-mortice lock requires a deep pocket routed directly into the narrow edge of a door stile, which can weaken slender wooden members or split decorative mouldings. A surface-mounted straight cupboard lock sits entirely exposed on the back face of the door, which can encroach on internal cabinet shelving.
The cut cupboard lock, frequently known as a half-mortice lock, resolves this dilemma neatly. The installer removes a shallow rectangular rebate on the inside face of the door stile, allowing the body flange to set flush with the timber surface while the main box of the lock sits recessed into the door core. The lock forend plate sits flush along the closing edge, providing a clean edge view. This hybrid configuration preserves the integrity of thin cabinet timber stiles while providing a clean, professional finish.
The 243 Brass 51mm Right Hand 2 Lever Cut Cupboard Lock To Differ delivers this traditional mounting advantage, making it the preferred choice for cabinetmakers who require strong structural timber integrity without unsightly visual intrusions.
Correct Handing for Right Hand Cabinet Doors
Identifying the correct handing for your cupboard lock is vital to ensure proper alignment and smooth bolt travel. In cabinet hardware, a right hand door generally refers to a door that is hinged on the right-hand side when viewed from the outside looking in. When you pull the right-hand door open toward yourself, the lock installs along the left-hand closing edge of that leaf, or vice versa depending on internal rebate details.
With a cut cupboard lock, the keyhole must face outwards correctly and the deadbolt must extend cleanly into the cabinet frame or adjacent meeting stile. This dedicated right hand lock is tailored with its internal levers and bolt throw oriented specifically for this configuration. Purchasing the intended hand ensures that you do not need to flip internal levers or invert faceplates on site, saving considerable workshop time and preserving factory assembly standards.
Comprehensive Technical Specifications
Review the precise engineering details below to confirm that this lock aligns with the exact woodworking dimensions of your project.
| Specification Parameter | Details and Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Product Name | 243 Brass 51mm Right Hand 2 Lever Cut Cupboard Lock To Differ |
| Lock Body Width | 51mm overall casing width |
| Installation Type | Cut cupboard rebate, half mortice flush fitting |
| Handing Configuration | Right Hand (RH) |
| Mechanism Type | 2 Lever security mechanism |
| Keying Differentiation | Keyed to differ, individual non identical key patterns |
| Keys Supplied | 2 Solid brass keys included in the package |
| Material Finish | Natural polished brass casing and front plate |
Step by Step Installation Advice
Fitting a half-mortice cut cupboard lock requires careful marking out with a sharp marking gauge and clean chisel work. Following these standard trade steps will yield a flush and dependable result.
- Marking the Timber: Hold the lock body against the inner face of the door at your chosen height. Scribe the perimeter of the lock housing carefully onto the wood using a pencil or marking knife.
- Cutting the Plate Rebate: Gauge the exact thickness of the mounting plate and cut out the outer rebate. Work steadily from the outer edge inward with a sharp bevel-edge chisel so the mounting flange drops flush with the timber face.
- Morticing the Core Box: Remove timber from the inner pocket to clear the deeper lever box and deadbolt path. Always test the lock body for a gentle drop-in fit rather than forcing the metalwork into an undersized recess.
- Boring the Keyhole: Mark the pin centre precisely through the face of the door. Drill through using a clean twist drill bit from both faces to eliminate timber breakout, then shape the key slot to allow free key rotation.
- Striker and Keep Alignment: Close the door and throw the deadbolt to register its position on the cabinet frame. Chisel out the frame keep neatly so the bolt throws smoothly without binding against the surrounding timber.
Professional Tip from Doorfit: When mounting brass hardware, always drill accurate pilot holes and lubricate brass fixing screws with beeswax or candle wax before driving them home. Solid brass screws can shear under heavy torque if driven into dry hardwoods without pilot holes.
Practical Applications Across Furniture and Fine Carpentry
The versatile 51mm sizing makes the 243 lock well-suited for a broad spectrum of domestic and commercial joinery applications. Joiners regularly fit this lock across antique bureau desks, glazed library bookcases, kitchen display dressers, bedroom tallboys, and bespoke vanity units. The traditional polished brass aesthetic harmonises naturally with English oak, mahogany, walnut, cherry, and painted timber finishes.
In addition to domestic projects, these locks provide functional locking points for boutique hospitality furniture, restaurant cutlery credenzas, presentation display counters, and heritage office cabinetry. Where clean joinery lines and discreet security are essential, this dependable hardware solution remains a trusted staple among British craftsmen.
Upgrade Your Cabinetry with Doorfit
Order your authentic brass cut cupboard lock today for reliable security and classic furniture joinery.
Specification
| Finish | Brass |
|---|---|
| Lock Backset | 12.5mm |
| Body Size (mm) | 51 |

