Door Knobs and Mechanisms

Apparently brass door mechanisms last a bit over 100 years. Several months ago the door mechanism to my bedroom closet exploded. There were several pieces inside and out that fell apart.

And just a couple of weeks ago the inside front door made a snapping sound and would only work being turned one way. I took the mechanism apart to find the latch in two pieces (see photo).

I found the same mechanism at the ReUse Store in south east Minneapolis. The inside was a bit rusty so I decided to use the part that I needed to replace in the house's door mechanism. I put it all back together and it works great.











Having installed a new deadbolt on the garage door and the backdoor and matching the keys, I wanted the front door to join in the fun so bought a new deadbolt with a changeable key system. I figured it would not be a simple swap with the existing deadbolt....and it wasn't.

The opening on the inside of the door was not quite big enough so I had to enlarge that. And the new bolt was longer and operated differently than the existing bolt so I had to bore out the opening for more room.

All the tools it took for the door mechanism, deadbolt and door latch.

While I was at it, I decided I really wanted the front door to latch. I cannot remember when or if it ever did. This was so much more work than it should have been. I don't understand how the latch could be so far off from the catch but it was almost 1/2 inch difference.

It took a crazy number of tools to get all three projects done. A short list: screw driver(s), WD40, rubber gloves, paper towels, drill, 1/2 drill bit, vacuum, utility knife, tape, scissors, head lamp, stapler, chisel.

Front Door Project

Making progress on one of my most difficult projects. Stripping hundred year old varnish and dirt from the front door.

The door weighs a ton and I have to take it down and put it back any time I leave and at night.

I first tried sanding off the mess but that didn't work. went on line and saw a demo using a heat gun. That worked well for the larger flat sections.

I was nervous about using the heat gun near the glass. And that proved valid. I tried and was fairly successful for a couple of panes but on the third I created a slight crack in the glass because of the heat from the gun.

I switched to stripper chemicals (citrus and 3M Safe Stripper). I've also sanded and applied post-stripper wash.

Detail of the mess around the glass panes.

Using heat gun. Pile of scrapped off varnish.

Post heat gun treatment.

109 Years and Done

After 109 years (my house was built in 1907), the bedroom closet door knob self-destructed. I was in the bathroom when I heard a pop and thud. I looked around but didn't see anything obvious.

I thought I had seen Uno so figured she had knocked something on to the floor. When I went in the bedroom to get dressed, I saw the little spring in the photo lying on the floor. The doorknob looked okay but the knobs didn't turn and there was another pop.

I took the thing apart and discovered the broken brass piece at the bottom of the photo. Now I'll see if I can find a replacement. Hmmm.

This falling apart thing was totally spontaneous. I wasn't near the door or doorknob. Is the ghost of Elizabeth back?