"Charlie S." wrote in message
news:L8lGd.1213$cx2.386@trndny03...

I should have mentioned it earlier. The door does have a knob and latch
(I
presume by latch you mean the thing that goes in and out when you turn the
door knob.) It's a very old door the door knob doesn't work. It rotates,
but doesn't turn the 'latch'. I think I could install a latch. I've
installed locks in doors. This couldn't be any more difficult. Although,
don't be surprised if I am back here trying to find out how take the old
knob off:-)

OK I am a locksmith, Iam here to help. If it a really old door (pre war)
then you probably have a mortise lock. These have a metal box set into a
pocket in the edge of the door. To remove these you need to unscrew the set
screw on the knob spindle. Once this is loose the knob unthreads from the
spindle. The spindle then will slide out.
you can then remove two screws from the edge of the door. the box can then
slide out. It might be stuck. If so use a utility knife to cut throughteh
paint film around the edge of the box, and reinsert the spindle holding both
sides of the spindle.

With the box out of the door you can bring it to your local locksmith to
replace the spring.

If the knob is the newer style there is probably a couple of screws in the
inside rose. If there is no exposed screws look on the edge of the door.
There should be a brand name. Tell me what that is.


I also have an old wooden door that coming off it's hinges. The hinge
attaches to the frame and side of the door. The door swings inward. The
pin
mechanism is also inside. It has a large pin with a roundish ball at the
top and bottom of it. The screws are coming out of the where the hinge
meets the frame. Especially at the top and bottom of the hinges. We have
to
lift the door to open and close/lock it. It rest on carpet so it takes
some
effort. This is another thing we've lived with for years. What should I
do? Just install longer screws? Or, should I prep the frame somehow so
that it will hold the screws more securely?


This is usually an easy fix. Remove the screw and drive in a wood dowel.
then replace the screw. This should snug the hinge up. If the wood is
really chewed up I will drill a clean hole and glue in a bigger dowel. The
problem with using larger screws is that the screws have larger heads and
that prevents the hinge from closing fully. this then rips out the screws
when the door is forced closed.

--

Roger Shoaf

About the time I had mastered getting the toothpaste back in the tube, then
they come up with this striped stuff.