Storm door handle REPAIR?

[turtlelover]

I know that I can purchase new handles for my storm doors, but I wonder if anyone has successfully repaired the latching mechanism.

Both front and back doors will not latch properly; that is, there is probably a spring inside the mechanism that pushes the latch (not sure if that's the proper terminology) out, and both springs are "shot." I have to pull the handle several times to get the latch to come out, and then I have to pull the latch further to get it to open all the way. It is only then that I can lock the door.

I'm guessing that it's a spring inside, and that the spring is worn out (or detached).

Since we're all about being frugal, has anyone repaired such a handle with this type of problem -- or should I bite the bullet and buy new handles?

Thanks, Frugalites.

[Gordon]

turtlelover <turtl...@DONOTenter.net> wrote in
news:48580e80$0$18913$cd3e...@news.enter.net:

Take the thing off the door (only three screws). The spring will
be quite evident. Take it to a good hardware store and get a
replacement spring.

Note: Springs are not a commonly stocked item. You might have to
try an auto parts store. Once you find a store that stocks a
good source of springs; remember it.

[turtlelover]

Gordon wrote:
> turtlelover <turtl...@DONOTenter.net> wrote in
> news:48580e80$0$18913$cd3e...@news.enter.net:
>
>
>>I know that I can purchase new handles for my storm doors, but I
>>wonder if anyone has successfully repaired the latching mechanism.
>>

<description snipped>

>>
>>
>>Thanks, Frugalites.
>>
>
>
> Take the thing off the door (only three screws). The spring will
> be quite evident. Take it to a good hardware store and get a
> replacement spring.
>
> Note: Springs are not a commonly stocked item. You might have to
> try an auto parts store. Once you find a store that stocks a
> good source of springs; remember it.

Thanks, Gordon!

Cheers,
T

[h]

"turtlelover" <turtl...@DONOTenter.net> wrote in message
news:48587878$0$18957$cd3e...@news.enter.net...

You can also get the right wire and make your own springs. You just need the
right size metal core with a hole in one end. For really large springs or
heavy wire, insert the core in your drill and slowly wind the wire around
the core. That's the easiest way to make chain mail, although you wind that
a lot tighter than a spring.

[turtlelover]

h wrote:
> "turtlelover" <turtl...@DONOTenter.net> wrote in message
> news:48587878$0$18957$cd3e...@news.enter.net...
>
>>Gordon wrote:
>>
>>>turtlelover <turtl...@DONOTenter.net> wrote in
>>>news:48580e80$0$18913$cd3e...@news.enter.net:
>>>
>>>>I know that I can purchase new handles for my storm doors, but I
>>>>wonder if anyone has successfully repaired the latching mechanism.
>>
>><description snipped>
>>
>>>>
>>>>Thanks, Frugalites.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Take the thing off the door (only three screws). The spring will
>>>be quite evident. Take it to a good hardware store and get a
>>>replacement spring. Note: Springs are not a commonly stocked item. You
>>>might have to
>>>try an auto parts store. Once you find a store that stocks a good source
>>>of springs; remember it.
>>
>
> You can also get the right wire and make your own springs. You just need the
> right size metal core with a hole in one end. For really large springs or
> heavy wire, insert the core in your drill and slowly wind the wire around
> the core. That's the easiest way to make chain mail, although you wind that
> a lot tighter than a spring.
>
>

Even cheaper yet! Now, off to find the wire.

Many thanks,
Turtlelover

[Jeff]

Buy the spring! It's not a bad idea to find a good hardware store, all
of them will have some drawers with misc hardware, including spring.

Not every wire will make a good spring, most won't. If you have some
piano wire (the name is a bit of a misnomer as it's not for pianos), you
can wind one. Otherwise you'll have springs that will come unsprung!

Jeff

>
> Many thanks,
> Turtlelover

[h]

"Jeff" <jeff@spam_me_not.com> wrote in message
news:rb6dnVAKy-DM58fV...@earthlink.com...

Agreed. If you can buy them, it's a lot easier. I was forced to make my own
spring for a repair to a 200+ year old door latch, because I couldn't find a
new latch to fit (door is 4 inches thick). I took the broken spring
everywhere, and no one had anything similar. The really old guy (the 90 year
old, not his 70 year old son!) at the hardware store grabbed a piece of wire
and wrapped it around a metal dowel and made the spring for me in about 30
seconds and only charged me 50 cents! That's what gave me the idea for
winding chain mail rings with my drill, and I've also made some springs for
my fiskars scissors. I've since discovered that Fiskars will send you the
springs for free if you email them, so I haven't had to make a spring in
ages.