Machine Shop to Repair Door Handle

One of the screws holding in a brass door handle for my front door has broken off inside the handle, making it impossible to fasten it. I am told I need to drill the screw out, then re-tap with a blind tap. But the brass is soft and I don’t have the skills to do this. Any suggestions for a machine shop who could help out on this? I am happy to take the handle to the shop. Thanks as always….

housepoor

in Metalwork 13 years and 10 months ago

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housepoor | 13 years and 10 months ago

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OP here: Let me clarify. It is a handle, not a knob. The handle is attached to my front door (which are the old wood & glass storm doors and have no lock) by two screws which go from the back of the door, thru the door, and into the handle. It does not twist. I have two doors and two handles. One of the doors freely opens, the other has a pin that can be released when a wider space is needed. The handle on the door which doesn’t (normally) move gets a lot of stress from people who pull on it and one of the screws broke at the point where it enters the door handle. I need someone with the machinery/skill to drill out the hole and re-tap it. My local hardware store guy said that since the handle was brass (and soft) and the hole which receives the screw is shallow, it was not a do-it-yourself kind of job — and I believe him. Thanks.

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 10 months ago

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Here’s the threaded one.  The knob needn’t be threaded too.

http://houseofantiquehardware.com/s.nl/it.A/id.3520/.f?sc=10&category=53

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 10 months ago

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Not sure if I’m getting the right picture.   So this is the set screw that holds the knob to the threaded doorknob spindle???   Just buy a new spindle for a few bucks.

http://houseofantiquehardware.com/s.nl/it.A/id.4658/.f?sc=10&category=53

Most any good hardware store carries them.

stevecym | 13 years and 10 months ago

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A really good locksmith can do this. I can do it but am in Middle Village.  If you are pressed and have to bring it here, it would help to have another handle so I can check the tpi (threads per inch) before retapping.  Also, sometimes we are lucky when we do this in that we drill exactly in the center and we can collapse the old screw threads into the hole – doubt I can do it on something this small.  I also have easy outs and if the screw is not too tight I can back it out.  If you are stuck, feel free to call me, maybe I can come by and take a look and bring it to my shop. Steve http://brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/tinkerswagon